MM was hired to shut down...

[SoulfishHawk]

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[NoGain]

There's some truth to what he's saying. You play six of your 17 games against the same teams, and your record in those six games has a huge impact on your division standing and thus your playoff chances. Schneider certainly has those 6 games in mind during the draft. Of course you want quality players overall, but you're trying to counter your division rivals' strengths. Macdonald was hired because he was the best coach available, no doubt. But I also think Schneider had the Whiners and rams in mind and wanted a coach that was a direct counter to the strength of our division.

The MM pick was definitely made with the division in mind. It's not the only reason, but it's a big one. We're going up against two of the best most innovative offensive minds in the league each year in Shanahan and McVay. If JS wasn't going to get a younger, brilliant, innovative offensive mind like a Ben Johnson to compete against them, he did the next best thing getting a younger, brilliant, innovative defensive mind like MM. First goal is winning your division. It's gets you into the playoffs, at least one home game, and a chance to win it all.

The bets paid off so far. If we beat the 49ers next Saturday, for instance, MM will own an 8-4 record against our divisional opponents over his first two seasons (2-2 49ers, 2-2 Rams, 4-0 Cards), and will have won the division title and the #1 seed in only his second season.

It certainly helps that MM is also proving to be a real comprehensive thinker and all around HC. He's got his team believing in what they're doing and how they do it; he inspires confidence; by all accounts he makes good hires, and has already proved that he won't hesitate in correcting any mistakes he might have made in his hirings; he's shown time and again that he can make adjustments during games that benefit the team; he's not the kind of guy who's going to sit around long watching his team get out-schemed; and he's a very level-headed man ahold of the tiller of the team.

But yeah, taking care of your division first is paramount.

 

[thegameq]

There's some truth to what he's saying. You play six of your 17 games against the same teams, and your record in those six games has a huge impact on your division standing and thus your playoff chances. Schneider certainly has those 6 games in mind during the draft. Of course you want quality players overall, but you're trying to counter your division rivals' strengths. Macdonald was hired because he was the best coach available, no doubt. But I also think Schneider had the Whiners and rams in mind and wanted a coach that was a direct counter to the strength of our division.

You can add the fact that Ben Johnson did not want to come to Seattle.....so.....

 

[SoulfishHawk]

If so, F him. Or anyone who doesn't want to be in Seattle.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The Hawks lead the ENTIRE NFL IN 3RD QUARTER SCORING. I don't know man, that sounds like VERY good coaching and adjustment to me.

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

The Hawks lead the ENTIRE NFL IN 3RD QUARTER SCORING. I don't know man, that sounds like VERY good coaching and adjustment to me.

Very well said. After coming to my senses, coach Macdonald has done an incredible job of countering McVay and Shannahan’s schemes.

I joke with my kids and call them “Shannahan’s shenanigans.” They don’t understand.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The first half in several of the games this season has been really ugly. It's frustrating, but this is who they are. Feel out a team in the 1st half, light it up in the 2nd half. It's happened so many times, I couldn't muster up even mild concern yesterday. We may not like it, and it's justified, but they get it done in the 2nd half, almost every time.

Then again, earlier in the year, they would light it up, get a big lead, then kind of pull off on the gas. Also annoying, but big deal, they are 13-3.

Not matter what it looks like. I guess I just find myself being a lot more grateful for what we have, instead of complaining out HOW it looks. You either win or you don't. We have a VERY good team that can and will get even better.

 

[glenwo2]

The first half in several of the games this season has been really ugly. It's frustrating, but this is who they are. Feel out a team in the 1st half, light it up in the 2nd half. It's happened so many times, I couldn't muster up even mild concern yesterday. We may not like it, and it's justified, but they get it done in the 2nd half, almost every time.

Then again, earlier in the year, they would light it up, get a big lead, then kind of pull off on the gas. Also annoying, but big deal, they are 13-3.

Not matter what it looks like. I guess I just find myself being a lot more grateful for what we have, instead of complaining out HOW it looks. You either win or you don't. We have a VERY good team that can and will get even better.

It makes me wonder...

Which is better? Starting Fast and then holding on for dear life in the end or Starting Slow (being pissed off and everything) and coming on gangbusters in the 2nd half to win?

 

[SoulfishHawk]

We've def. experienced both this year. Aaaaaah. The Hawkacoaster.

 

[bileever]

The chess game between McVay/Shanahan and Macdonald is fascinating. Back on November 16th, the Seahawks outgained the Rams 414 to 249 yards, and held Stafford to 130 yards passing. Then in the rematch, the Rams had 581 total yards, and 457 yards passing. There are multiple articles on the internet about how McVay "figured out" Macdonald's defense. I wouldn't go that far, but McVay certainly found some holes in the Seahawk defense.

Although the 49ers only scored 17 points in the first game against the Seahawks, Shanahan's offense was able to move the ball fairly well against Macdonald's defense, gaining 384 total yards while holding the Seahawks to only 230 yards of total offense.

So the question is whether Macdonald can slow down the 49er offense this time around, while figuring out how to move the ball against Saleh's defense. It will be a test of Macdonald's ability to match wits with the best of the best and show how he can play with the big boys. I think that Macdonald's got the advantage, with the 49ers being without Bosa and Warner and possibly Trent Williams in this upcoming game.

(Btw, am I the only one who thinks @SeahawkSteve80 has a point? I may disagree with him, and he, as he admits, may have overstated his conclusions, but it's still a legitimate, debatable viewpoint.)

 

[SoulfishHawk]

What did you say BEFORE the Rams game? Just curious.

 

[bileever]

What did you say BEFORE the Rams game? Just curious.

I was completely wrong about the second Rams game. I predicted that the Seahawks' defense would totally shut down Stafford, like they had done in the first game. Here's what I said in Aros' Fearless Prediction Thread:

"I think the Seahawks take this one in defensive struggle, 17-14. The Rams have a highly rated offensive line, but they haven't played many teams capable of applying pressure, except the Colts, who sacked Stafford 3 times. The Texans also sacked Stafford 3 times and the Eagles 4 times. But those teams don't bring the pressure like the Seahawks, and I think the Seahawks throw Stafford off his game enough to win."

 

[SoulfishHawk]

That defense looked like swiss cheese last night. I love our chances.

 

[rjdriver]

If you watched Pete’s “in game” coaching the last five years against against these dudes (particularly vs. McVay), you realize that Mac has already earned an A++++++

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

Seahawks are 19-6 in the time frame where the Seahawks jettisoned both starting MLBs and Mac’s D started to come alive. Of those six losses the worst were by 17 points, 6 points both in 2024. The other four: 4, 3, 3, and 2. Seahawks legitimately can say they are 3 plays away from being 16-0 this season. How many other teams can say that?

Just remember Mac is a young coach still learning the ropes and he transformed one of the worst defenses and worst front 7s into a powerhouse in a short time. As much as he was hired to nullify McVays and Shanahan’s Offenses those guys are maybe two of the best OCs if not HCs in the NFL today and they’ve have great FO that have built excellent rosters over the years. Seahawks are in year 2 of their transitional phase where they’ve more or less dumped defensive deadweight year 1 and then followed it up with an offensive dump year 2.

MacDonald is at 23 wins in a tough division with a roster many on the outside thought wouldn’t win more than 7-8 games in both seasons. And yet in both seasons Seahawks have won at least 7 games on the Road, no less.

 

[hawkfan68]

Being the HC of the team that currently holds the best record in the NFL is not good enough? Wow!

I'm excited about how the defense is playing now vs. beginning of the year. Plus guys like Love are now healthy. The score may not reflect it yesterday but they dominated the Panthers. When a team basically gives up at the end with about 2 minutes still left, it's a full on domination. That is MM's defense. He's doing exactly what he was brought in to do and excelling at it. Rams and 49ers are very good teams. I don't believe the Seahawks have played their A game against these two teams yet. I hope they do on Saturday night.

 

[sutz]

I always thought Mike was selected to make us competitive in our division, not necessarily to "dominate" it. So far, so good. I certainly don't have a lot of complaints. I do recognize that things are not perfect, but they never are.

Tough game coming up this Saturday.

 

[renofox]

I think MM may have passed the test.


Good hire, JS!

 

[DTiempo81]

I really like Macdonald, but if you don’t think he was hired here to counter McVay and Shannahan, you are severely naive. That’s exactly why he was hired, and so far, his defense has performed MISERABLY against those offenses.

Time and time again, Macdonald’s scheme has failed against the 49ers and Rams. Our defense, our amazing, super special defense, gave up 37 points and over 200 receiving yards to one guy. That is unacceptable, especially if you are a defensive minded coach! That is your job, to be a good defense, and against these two guys, Macdonald’s defense has barely done better than old man Pete’s did.

The team should’ve hired an offensive minded coach. They would’ve been set up for better long term success. Macdonald’s scheme isn’t working, his message will grow old and stale fast, and we’ll be back looking for a head coach within the next 3 years.

Whoops!

 

[glenwo2]

If they're without Trent, that is a HUGE...I mean....HUGE advantage for our Defense.

Mafe/Leonard/Lawrence...those guys will have a shot at Purdy-Mouth.

Also, being without Shaheed and Horton simply means that we need to lean more in the running game with some passes to AJ Barner, JSN, and Cooper Kupp sprinkled within.

The name of the game will not be a shootout.

It will be BALL CONTROL.

JFC, did I call it or what?