Expectations Destroyed

[Welshers2]

I'm sitting here this morning, drinking my coffee and ruminating on the incredible game the Seattle Seahawks played last night. I'm thinking of how we are in the NFC Championship for the first time in 11 years. And what better way to do it then by destroying our greatest rivals.

Anyway, all this thinking has me appreciating a subtle fact: this team has absolutely blown all expectations out of the water. They were unanimously picked by the media to finish last in the NFC West. Vegas had them at a paltry 7.5 wins. Nobody respected them.

But here we are. We won the hardest division in football, took home the #1 seed and the tied for the best record in the NFL. We've shocked everyone, except maybe ourselves.

I said from the moment I saw the win line that it was too low. I don't gamble out of precedent, but if I did it was the kind of thing I would of bet the house on. And I bet a lot of us 12s made a lot of money off vegas this year.

We smashed 7.5 wins and have lost three games all year by a total of 9 points. We are the best team in football despite getting no respect. This is a bit different from the SB winning 2013-14 team for me. The year before that we had lost to the Falcons in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs, but it seemed like even the biased media was acknowledging how good we were going to be.

This year, even after Seattle kept winning games and kept beating good opponents, no one wanted to admit it. Even after we dominated the Whiners for the division, there were multiple pundits who went and said we would lose in the divisional!

The only thing we can do to shut these people up is go on and win it all. Because we are the best team in football and we deserve the Lombardi.

If the Hawks win their next two games they will go down in history as SB champs. But not just SB Champs. They will also be one of the biggest preseason longshots to ever bring it home. Now that's not saying that's how the rest of the playoffs go, but even being where we are now has defied all expectations.

I knew Macdonald was building something great last year and I loved the Serious Sam signing. I had a ton of faith we would be a very competitive team with an elite defense this year, but I have to admit, I didn't even necessarily see 14 wins and hosting the NFC championship in the cards.

They've surpassed even the preseason expectations of the biggest homer there is. What a team, man. So special.

Now let's win it all.

 

[Cyrus12]

My best guess was 11-6 and a wild card loss... I just didn't think there'd be this much of a leap. Id never guess they'd make it to this level.

 

[AubHawk71]

Great post. It is hard to tune out the hype sometimes, because SEA completely steamrolling SF is not even close to as exciting as SOMEHOW the 49er overcame all of their injuries to win the SB. i was waiting for them to put "Rudy" in.

I don't bet either, because to me it feels like giving your hard earned money to a stranger and hoping you get it back. However, I always lay down a hundy on the Hawks preseason to win the SB just for whatever. Last time I checked, that would net me $6000, pre taxes. Gonna make it rain down at the strip club! Wait, do we even have those in WA anymore?

 

[Appyhawk]

Among the first things I do every morning is take a few moments to give thanks for the blessings I have received. This morning I gave thanks for having enjoyed the luxury of my football team laying down the one and only game played so far this playoff season that was a no stress affair. And for the extra helping of gravy on my victory pizza!

 

[Welshers2]

My best guess was 11-6 and a wild card loss... I just didn't think there'd be this much of a leap. Id never guess they'd make it to this level.

Yeah, they surprised even us biggest of Homers. Really speaks to the grit of the team and the competence of the coaching. So great to see

 

[Trackhawk]

Yeah, they surprised even us biggest of Homers. Really speaks to the grit of the team and the competence of the coaching. So great to see

Can't wait to see your new avatar!

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

I doubted Macdonald.

I won’t make that mistake again.

Getting the guys to 14-3 in his second season. Huge shoes to fill.
I’ve got your back, Mac.

Thank you for bringing a winning culture back to Seattle

 

[Bobblehead]

I doubted Macdonald.

I won’t make that mistake again.

Getting the guys to 14-3 in his second season. Huge shoes to fill.
I’ve got your back, Mac.

Thank you for bringing a winning culture back to Seattle

Crazy part is, this year I believe is still a part of the rebuilding, Seahawks have not yet begun to peak by a long stretch.

 

[Welshers2]

Can't wait to see your new avatar!

Serious Sam hoisting the Lombardi has a nice ring to it

 

[Atradees]

Crazy part is, this year I believe is still a part of the rebuilding, Seahawks have not yet begun to peak by a long stretch

When I look to the draft, I'm like, what? What next? Where is the glaring need.

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

When I look to the draft, I'm like, what? What next? Where is the glaring need.

Corner. Right guard. Wide receiver. Young edge to replace Mafe.

Always have to keep strategizing and retooling

 

[oldhawkfan]

When I say this success hasn’t surprised me, I say that with complete honesty.

When Tyler was released, Geno and DK were traded, I thought it might be a little step back because who was gonna play QB?! JSN is the only guy with even a modicum of WR success? Believe me, I had major concerns.

Then John Schneider quickly and confidently signed Darnold (a lateral move we were to assume!) and brought in Cooper Kupp.

It was then that my mind set started leaning towards this team might surprise a lot of people. Seahawks fans included.

Going into the draft the top two guys on my wish list for the Seahawks top pick were Zabel and Emmanwori. I even had a dream a couple days before the draft with the name Emmanwori prevalent in my dream sequence. JS added BOTH of my top two choices.

It was when Emmanwori was picked on the second day where my mind started doing the math. This team could be good. At the end of the 2025 draft I knew they would be good. OTAs, and training camp only solidified that belief.
I saw with my own eyes the kind of coach MM was going to be. I saw with my eyes how the defense in 2024 improved over the season.

In a preseason poll of guess the season record, I put down 17-0. I didn’t really think they would make it through the regular season undefeated, but I knew they would be good and I wasn’t actually that far off!

When I voted 17-0 I did it because why not, they are going to be a good team. Not even disappointed in my prognostication. The only thing I’m bummed about is that I didn’t trust my gut and put money on them. But in my defense I didn’t really know how to do this.

I knew this would be a good season and there’s more to come!!

 

[hawkfan68]

This Seahawks team is f'n scary. I don't believe any other NFL team wants to play them right now. What other team puts up 41 points while their #1 WR is held to 3 catches for 19 yards? Just incredible.

 

[SmokinHawk]

This Seahawks team is f'n scary. I don't believe any other NFL team wants to play them right now. What other team puts up 41 points while their #1 WR is held to 3 catches for 19 yards? Just incredible.

This team feels even more complete than that legendary 2013-2014 squad. They are able to do things on offense that required miracles from RW's legs. Special teams are at least as good if not better and the defense is just as stout.

 

[Grahamhawker]

If I'm not mistaken, the DVOA rating for this D is higher than 2013 (barely). Big difference in O DVOA and ST, though resulting in #1 overall. Definitely speaks to the balance and completeness of this squad.

 

[warden]

So many unknowns coming into the season to really predict what the Seahawks were going to do this season. Take emotion out of it, you need to go conservative with the predictions

Unknowns

How will we respond with new QB
How will we respond losing our number 1 WR
Can the OL get their shit together. Biggest unknown
Can we finally get the run game going
Can we be consistent enough to be competitive in an extremely tough division

Just to name a few

When did I think we were a serious Superbowl contender? After I heard Earnest Jones elegant speech defending his QB after the Rams loss. That speech told me this team truly has the magic that is rarely seen. We haven’t lost since that speech

 

[PateratoWilson]

I'm sitting here this morning, drinking my coffee and ruminating on the incredible game the Seattle Seahawks played last night. I'm thinking of how we are in the NFC Championship for the first time in 11 years. And what better way to do it then by destroying our greatest rivals.

Anyway, all this thinking has me appreciating a subtle fact: this team has absolutely blown all expectations out of the water. They were unanimously picked by the media to finish last in the NFC West. Vegas had them at a paltry 7.5 wins. Nobody respected them.

But here we are. We won the hardest division in football, took home the #1 seed and the tied for the best record in the NFL. We've shocked everyone, except maybe ourselves.

I said from the moment I saw the win line that it was too low. I don't gamble out of precedent, but if I did it was the kind of thing I would of bet the house on. And I bet a lot of us 12s made a lot of money off vegas this year.

We smashed 7.5 wins and have lost three games all year by a total of 9 points. We are the best team in football despite getting no respect. This is a bit different from the SB winning 2013-14 team for me. The year before that we had lost to the Falcons in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs, but it seemed like even the biased media was acknowledging how good we were going to be.

This year, even after Seattle kept winning games and kept beating good opponents, no one wanted to admit it. Even after we dominated the Whiners for the division, there were multiple pundits who went and said we would lose in the divisional!

The only thing we can do to shut these people up is go on and win it all. Because we are the best team in football and we deserve the Lombardi.

If the Hawks win their next two games they will go down in history as SB champs. But not just SB Champs. They will also be one of the biggest preseason longshots to ever bring it home. Now that's not saying that's how the rest of the playoffs go, but even being where we are now has defied all expectations.

I knew Macdonald was building something great last year and I loved the Serious Sam signing. I had a ton of faith we would be a very competitive team with an elite defense this year, but I have to admit, I didn't even necessarily see 14 wins and hosting the NFC championship in the cards.

They've surpassed even the preseason expectations of the biggest homer there is. What a team, man. So special.

Now let's win it all.

Well put.

8 quarters to go.

 

[CalgaryFan05]

Seriously. When we were flopping around about 6 or 7 games ago, I almost wrote off the season.

I have been impressed with the turnaround on all fronts.

We're a buzz saw now. F the Bears if we meet them, and on to the cherry on top. Superbowl in the 49er's house!

What an amazing 3 or 4 weeks here.

 

[Hawkpower]

Seriously. When we were flopping around about 6 or 7 games ago, I almost wrote off the season.

I have been impressed with the turnaround on all fronts.

We're a buzz saw now. F the Bears if we meet them, and on to the cherry on top. Superbowl in the 49er's house!

What an amazing 3 or 4 weeks here.

Haven't we won 8 in a row?

Our last loss was over 2 months ago

 

[Hawkpower]

When I say this success hasn’t surprised me, I say that with complete honesty.

When Tyler was released, Geno and DK were traded, I thought it might be a little step back because who was gonna play QB?! JSN is the only guy with even a modicum of WR success? Believe me, I had major concerns.

Then John Schneider quickly and confidently signed Darnold (a lateral move we were to assume!) and brought in Cooper Kupp.

It was then that my mind set started leaning towards this team might surprise a lot of people. Seahawks fans included.

Going into the draft the top two guys on my wish list for the Seahawks top pick were Zabel and Emmanwori. I even had a dream a couple days before the draft with the name Emmanwori prevalent in my dream sequence. JS added BOTH of my top two choices.

It was when Emmanwori was picked on the second day where my mind started doing the math. This team could be good. At the end of the 2025 draft I knew they would be good. OTAs, and training camp only solidified that belief.
I saw with my own eyes the kind of coach MM was going to be. I saw with my eyes how the defense in 2024 improved over the season.

In a preseason poll of guess the season record, I put down 17-0. I didn’t really think they would make it through the regular season undefeated, but I knew they would be good and I wasn’t actually that far off!

When I voted 17-0 I did it because why not, they are going to be a good team. Not even disappointed in my prognostication. The only thing I’m bummed about is that I didn’t trust my gut and put money on them. But in my defense I didn’t really know how to do this.

I knew this would be a good season and there’s more to come!!

I don't say this to be condescending, but those of us who accurately understood who Geno and DK really were are not one bit surprised by this season

This team won 10 games last year despite:

The defense not really gelling until halfway through the year
Geno and DK holding them back

That this defense continued their arc and that the offense is much better with JSN and Kupp (and a solidified line with Zabel) is not one bit surprising

At. All.