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All you chicken littles out there, take note!....Simply put, this team is too good to lose 3 in a row. I don't care who we are playing. This weekends game will be quite a thrill to watch. Mark my words. The defense will kick A$$ & will be the main reason we go 4-3.
Hawks 27
Panthers 10

I hope like hell you are spot on. I'll have to admit to a lil hand-wringing though. I think we will win...and cognitively I know that even if we lose, it's not over by a stretch. It "feels" like a must win , yet I remember the Giants, Ravens and other teams that went DEEPLY into the playoffs (see super bowl victories) as after thought wild card teams with 10 wins or less.

The truth is, we are not too far away. We are about a 1/2 point better per game on O at this point last year and 8.something less good on Defense. The latter, IMHO, is the result of several factors. We have different personnel, the ball is NOT bouncing our way (as bad as it's been, we really are just a few plays away from 5 & 1 if not better) injuries paired w/ less depth, ST break-downs, lack of a pass rush resulting in fewer take-aways (which, IMHO, is as a result of lost people (FA & injuries...) and lack of faith to send in the mother-loving posse to get an ever-loving sack because the secondary is not the same/trusted to cover. Also, let's be honest... We could've been 3-3 @ this point last year... Very easily.

Still, if we get Maxi and Lane back (plus that CRAZY LSU kid), along w/ our awesome Middle L-backer..... and then there is Unger & Zach...& if Kevin & Richardson contribute...there's hope. Lots.of.hope. Even if we don't win the SB (as long as SF doesn't) we are headed in a very good direction.

NO, I'm not high.

Right they should and I think they will, but..............If they don't???? Bummer, we are toast. 28-17 Hawkies!!

obiken wrote:Right they should and I think they will, but..............If they don't???? Bummer, we are toast. 28-17 Hawkies!!

We won't be toast if we lose, but the kitchen will be getting pretty damn warm...

I expect a win tomorrow. One of the things we tend to lose sight of is the plight of other teams. The Panthers are in a world of hurt with their own defense, which was one of the best in the league last season. This year, even pedestrian teams like the Steelers and Ravens have been lighting them up like a pinball machine. They're ranked 30th in yards allowed, 29th in PPG. Our defense has slipped quite a bit, particularly in pressuring the QB, but not nearly as much as the Panthers have.

They have the talent to win, but with parity in the league and the injury factor no game is easy.
It's time for the Panthers Defense to play well, too so whichever team gets their act together first will probably win.
It's also more difficult for us to start at 10am, so if we win, I expect it will be a comeback.

We need this win.

Period.

3-4 would mean essentially having to go 7-2 the rest of the year to get into the playoffs, and that's a tall order given how the season has gone so far.

Can we win tomorrow? Absolutely!

But we gotta step it up the 1ST HALF. In our 3 losses, we've dug ourselves a hole that has been too big to get out of. Last year was last year - we won several games that haven't worked out that way in 2014.

We all cringe at the "must win", but I think that dreaded phrase holds true right now. Can't rely on other teams losing and everything falling into place and getting all the help needed to take the back door to the postseason.

Win this week, and things are Much improved. No first half BS tomorrow, and we're good.

Seattle, 23-17

Go Seahawks!!!

You are toast if you lose. I don't expect that to happen, but I sure hope it does. Hawks have been 7-6 V the West since 2012, and you have 5 games left V the West. Also have road games at Philly and KC. That means you'd be looking at probably 9-7, max. That is as good as toast in the NFC.

However, a W puts you right there primed for 6-3 and a good 2nd half run.

I have Hawks winning 20-14. But it's a 10 am road game pacific time and these two teams know each other well. Anything can happen.

Futureite wrote:You are toast if you lose. I don't expect that to happen, but I sure hope it does. Hawks have been 7-6 V the West since 2012, and you have 5 games left V the West. Also have road games at Philly and KC. That means you'd be looking at probably 9-7, max. That is as good as toast in the NFC.

However, a W puts you right there primed for 6-3 and a good 2nd half run.

I have Hawks winning 20-14. But it's a 10 am road game pacific time and these two teams know each other well. Anything can happen.

In past years, I would agree. Each of the last 3 seasons, the winner of the NFC West had no more than 4 losses. But unless you think that Arizona is going to go 13-3 or 12-4, a loss by us to Carolina, or a Niners loss next week, doesn't mean either of us is 'toast.'

Its easy to say we will win because we're too good to lose 3 in a row, but couldn't the same be said about losing 2 in a row?

Im pretty much always optimistic about our chances to win any game, but the only reason it's even possible to lose 3 in a row is because we've already lost the 2 in a row....

Last week seemed like the kind of game that we would've pulled out a win last year. Those are the kind of games that championship teams need to win. We aren't winning those games this year.

The hawks are so banged up right now that we're using a patchwork offense and defense. Injuries are killing us.

Hell, knowing our luck so far this season I wouldn't be surprised if Bryan Walters' concussion somehow comes back to haunt us. Like maybe whoever is returning punts fumbles one....or two. That's just how weird this season has been.

The last two weeks I went in worried even though I picked the Hawks to win both games. This week after all the dirt dumping and postulating I would say I am more curious than anything. If these guys still have a championship mentality they should win. If not its back to the "same old Seahawks" at least for 2014-15. That of course means scrapping to get to 9 wins, keeping your fans hoping all the way to week 16 or 17, and then flaming out when the teams that have to win win.Fascinated to see which way its going to be. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

Whew!

Got the win to keep this season relevant.

Now, two straight home games vs Raiders and Giants

I Don't Care how bad Oakland or the Giants have been this year.

You Absolutely bury these f****** into the ground at The Clink.

No Excuses.

NO Mercy.

Go Seahawks!

Zorn76 wrote:Whew!

Got the win to keep this season relevant.

Now, two straight home games vs Raiders and Giants

I Don't Care how bad Oakland or the Giants have been this year.

You Absolutely bury these f****** into the ground at The Clink.

No Excuses.

NO Mercy.

Go Seahawks!

I heard one talking head before the game yesterday say that the Seahawks were a coin flip away from being 2-4 (meaning that if Denver had won the coin flip in OT, that they surely would have won). Tell me what's more likely; Rams fail to convert a fake punt and the Seahawks being 4-2? Tony Romo failing to convert a 3rd and 20 and Seahawks being 4-2? Or Denver driving the length of the field for a TD to open OT if they had won the coin flip in OT and Seahawks being 2-4?

Talking heads want to kick dirt on the graves of the completely un-dead Seahawks. I love the doubters. A new chip on the shoulder is being built.

Unbelievable s*** I've heard:

1. Media claim- The Hawks offense is not playing as well as they were last year. Truth - Actually, we are statistically a lil better. About a point per game. RW is trending to have higher #s, in spite of the Harvin debacle.

2. Media claim - The D is hampered by RWs inconsistency. Truth - well, kinda-sorta. IMHO, the onus is more on the whole O & play-calling. 3rd down conversions could be higher & improved TOP is the best medicine for defensive woes. Again, the O is trending better and the D is giving up more yards/points (about 8 more per game) then last year.

3. Media claim - cam and Rivera are going to test sherman- they think they can expose him like San diego did. Truth - sherman played a HELUVA game against SD and was not exposed. While he may deserve a lil extra criticism because of his words, his play has been very solid this year (you could argue that he has really matured into a more complete player this year because of the lack of help & a consistent pass rush. He doesn't have the INTs, but I think that's more related to them trying him less and he is having to cover more due to the lack of personnel.

4. Media claim - The Defense doesn't seem to have the same discipline as last year. Truth #1) the media is comparing the super bowl version of the hawks to this team at this point in the year. Wether on O or D, we are not the same team. We lack depth and have had critical injuries. Not that we are the only team whose got this issue, but it explains the effin difference. Guys we nabbed off other team's practice squads a few weeks ago < Thurmond, Lane, Maxi. Truth #2) the D has not been that bad. We are seriously a few plays away from being really special.

I think having a target on our backs as the champs coupled w/ losing key players w/ out the depth to handle the losses are the real story lines. That and a mixed up yet über gifted athlete (that Pete thought he could save) didn't pan out & was hurting our chances -on the field and off. The rest is BS conjuring by people who think they know the story lines. The things commentators say during games is ridiculous. Of course there are personality issues. Who here works where there isnt any??.

Hawk Sista wrote:Unbelievable s*** I've heard:

1. Media claim- The Hawks offense is not playing as well as they were last year. Truth - Actually, we are statistically a lil better. About a point per game. RW is trending to have higher #s, in spite of the Harvin debacle.

2. Media claim - The D is hampered by RWs inconsistency. Truth - well, kinda-sorta. IMHO, the onus is more on the whole O & play-calling. 3rd down conversions could be higher & improved TOP is the best medicine for defensive woes. Again, the O is trending better and the D is giving up more yards/points (about 8 more per game) then last year.

3. Media claim - cam and Rivera are going to test sherman- they think they can expose him like San diego did. Truth - sherman played a HELUVA game against SD and was not exposed. While he may deserve a lil extra criticism because of his words, his play has been very solid this year (you could argue that he has really matured into a more complete player this year because of the lack of help & a consistent pass rush. He doesn't have the INTs, but I think that's more related to them trying him less and he is having to cover more due to the lack of personnel.

4. Media claim - The Defense doesn't seem to have the same discipline as last year. Truth #1) the media is comparing the super bowl version of the hawks to this team at this point in the year. Wether on O or D, we are not the same team. We lack depth and have had critical injuries. Not that we are the only team whose got this issue, but it explains the effin difference. Guys we nabbed off other team's practice squads a few weeks ago < Thurmond, Lane, Maxi. Truth #2) the D has not been that bad. We are seriously a few plays away from being really special.

I think having a target on our backs as the champs coupled w/ losing key players w/ out the depth to handle the losses are the real story lines. That and a mixed up yet über gifted athlete (that Pete thought he could save) didn't pan out & was hurting our chances -on the field and off. The rest is BS conjuring by people who think they know the story lines. The things commentators say during games is ridiculous. Of course there are personality issues. Who here works where there isnt any??.

The Hawks offense is not playing as well as they were last year. Truth - Actually, we are statistically a lil better. About a point per game. RW is trending to have higher #s, in spite of the Harvin debacle.

I disagree. It depends on which stat you want to look at. Statistically we're worse in total offense, worse in passing offense, worse in total first downs, and worse in third down conversion percentage than the 2013 squad. I suppose we can each find a stat to justify our argument, but to me, the most important indicator of our offense's production relative to last season is that last season we were 6-1 after our first 7. This year, we're 4-3.

But I do think that will change. One thing that getting rid of Harvin will do is that it will force us to return to our roots and start doing the things that brought us a championship.

Hawk Sista wrote:Unbelievable s*** I've heard:

1. Media claim- The Hawks offense is not playing as well as they were last year. Truth - Actually, we are statistically a lil better. About a point per game. RW is trending to have higher #s, in spite of the Harvin debacle.

2. Media claim - The D is hampered by RWs inconsistency. Truth - well, kinda-sorta. IMHO, the onus is more on the whole O & play-calling. 3rd down conversions could be higher & improved TOP is the best medicine for defensive woes. Again, the O is trending better and the D is giving up more yards/points (about 8 more per game) then last year.

3. Media claim - cam and Rivera are going to test sherman- they think they can expose him like San diego did. Truth - sherman played a HELUVA game against SD and was not exposed. While he may deserve a lil extra criticism because of his words, his play has been very solid this year (you could argue that he has really matured into a more complete player this year because of the lack of help & a consistent pass rush. He doesn't have the INTs, but I think that's more related to them trying him less and he is having to cover more due to the lack of personnel.

4. Media claim - The Defense doesn't seem to have the same discipline as last year. Truth #1) the media is comparing the super bowl version of the hawks to this team at this point in the year. Wether on O or D, we are not the same team. We lack depth and have had critical injuries. Not that we are the only team whose got this issue, but it explains the effin difference. Guys we nabbed off other team's practice squads a few weeks ago < Thurmond, Lane, Maxi. Truth #2) the D has not been that bad. We are seriously a few plays away from being really special.

I think having a target on our backs as the champs coupled w/ losing key players w/ out the depth to handle the losses are the real story lines. That and a mixed up yet über gifted athlete (that Pete thought he could save) didn't pan out & was hurting our chances -on the field and off. The rest is BS conjuring by people who think they know the story lines. The things commentators say during games is ridiculous. Of course there are personality issues. Who here works where there isnt any??.

What a great post! Seriously. Great post!

Hawk Sista wrote: The things commentators say during games is ridiculous.

There is blood in the water so the BS gathers. I expect come playoff time that the story gets spun the other way. The resilient Seahawks overcome locker room turmoil and unrest of mid season, rebounding to be the first defending SB champions in a decade to win a playoff game. All hail the team that was propped up to be torn down to be propped again; so that they can be torn down again when convenient.

The media no longer reports the story; they create the story that provides max sizzle. Its all just so much noise in the needed to be filled 24/7 news vacuum.

I think that the troubles we are dealing with can be related more to the defense than the offense. Look at the points our opponents have scored. I'd bet that we're allowing more points this season. Regardless of the reason, be it injuries, lack of depth, etc. Several areas of the D come to mind Our run D isn't as strong, our 3rd down efficiency is down, & opponents are able to throw the deep ball against us more than last year. Now, I've seen some things on offense that I have not seen so much of before, like RW's mishandling of the center exchange for example, & his accuracy hasn't been as sharp in the past few weeks. The special teams guys are being more tentative in the punt & kickoff returns this year too, imo. Now the reasons for these performance issues are clearly outlined by you guys & I agree with them. I just think that if the D could step it up a notch, (which I feel they did in the Carolina game), then we will enjoy a nice long string of wins over the near future. I'd like to see us battling Az for the division lead when we meet them in a few weeks.

Actually Vegas, the Hawks run defense is better ( 5th in the league) and the amount of 20+ yard throws down the field is also down from last ( though that is hard to truly evaluate because last year opponents attempted far more of those types of throws, and this year, pick the Hawks apart with a bunch of short check downs and rubs in the 5 yards variety)... the areas they are falling off is 3rd down efficiency, sacks and turnovers. The Hawks defense is currently ranked in the top ten across the board in all areas except the three I pointed out, and are currently the number five defense in the league overall ( which was kind of a suprsurprise to me to be honest) Seattle ranks in the top ten in all yardage aspects ( Rush, Pass, total yards etc).

They certainly don't "look" the same, and a HUGE part of that IMHO is the lack of consistent pressure, and forced turnovers ( two things that go hand in hand) Last season Seattle forced a TON of turnovers in their red zone, and this year simply put haven't.

Thanks, Monkey.

River - those numbers were ones I crunched before the Panthers' game. After that game the stats change and we got better on D in PA and took a dip on O in points gained. We will see moving forward. Prior to the Panther game we were a point per game (about) ahead of schedule. Given the significant challenges we have faced with injury and personnel - I am pretty pleased with this especially since it feels to me like we will continue to improve. You are correct though, after the Panther game, the offensive stats don't pencil as I stated. I do, however, stand by the premise about the offense.

Cockroach - They do not look the same because they are not the same. But, the good news is we had 3 (I'll still call it 4) sacks this weekend and the D made the Panthers look one dimensional. Maybe that is because they are. 'tis the trouble with taking it one game at a time to judge where we are.

All in all - I think we will continue to improve; we are going to need to as we have some tough games ahead of us. If we fall victim to the post super bowl hex, then we do.

#LOBshouldaNEVERbeenonthecoverofMADDEN
#seesomuchpromise
#InRUSSwetrust
#HawksforLife

Hawk Sista wrote:Thanks, Monkey.

River - those numbers were ones I crunched before the Panthers' game. After that game the stats change and we got better on D in PA and took a dip on O in points gained. We will see moving forward. Prior to the Panther game we were a point per game (about) ahead of schedule. Given the significant challenges we have faced with injury and personnel - I am pretty pleased with this especially since it feels to me like we will continue to improve. You are correct though, after the Panther game, the offensive stats don't pencil as I stated. I do, however, stand by the premise about the offense.

All in all - I think we will continue to improve; we are going to need to as we have some tough games ahead of us. If we fall victim to the post super bowl hex, then we do.

#LOBshouldaNEVERbeenonthecoverofMADDEN
#seesomuchpromise
#InRUSSwetrust
#HawksforLife

Out of curiosity, why did you use those numbers? Your post was on the 27th, was it not?

But I do agree with your premise, that we will improve. We have two home games against mediocre opponents to get the bugs worked out before we hit the back half of our schedule that will make or break our season.

I was just messing around on Saturday & forgot to add the Carolina game to my dorky spread sheet. And I haven't quit building it. I'm interested in how many 1st downs we got/gave up, 3rd down % on both sides, plays over 20 (again, both sides), etc. I used to keep stats like that but the Internet has made that unnecessary. For some reason I wanted to build data to compare where we are vs. where we were game by game. Sorry for the confusion.