In order for this team to reach the Super Bowl, the defense

[hawksfansinceday1]

MUST find a way to stop the opposition with the game on the line. They failed today, they failed against Detroit earlier this year, they failed against Miami and they failed against Chicago. If they would have not failed to protect a lead against Miami or Detroit today's game would've been a home game.

I see a lot of complaining about soft zones and I have done the same and that's likely a part of it. But, our DBs KNEW the opponent had to throw today and didn't cover and the same thing happened against Chicago and Marshall in particular. At some point 'soft zone' is an excuse and 'bad pass rush' and 'bad coverage' are the actuality.

 

[hawkfannj]

We need home field advantage period
Our D needs the 12th man it just does

 

[JSeahawks]

We're still a few pieces away. We'll get there.

 

[kendog2639]

our def needs to not play zone... how do you not blanket tony on that!!

 

[Scottemojo]

one more year in the rebuild. it is only going to get better.

 

[hawk45]

Agree with OP. If the defense doesn't learn to not choke away games like in DET, MIA, CHI (tried in CHI), ARI, ATL, all the RW magic in the world won't get us the Lombardi. You have to get a critical stop from your D once in a while.

 

[Scottemojo]

BTW, Seattle was blitzing, which meant soft zone was the play. It wasn't prevent D though.

 

[Sarlacc83]

Pass rush was the missing component. Had to bring one guy in at the end, and it opened the middle of the field. They also just couldn't hit ryan when they had time.