After a crucial 17-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks not only eliminated their bitter division rivals, but also lifted themselves into an advantageous position in the race for the NFL playoffs.
Behind a rolling defense, Seattle pulled off four straights wins to climb to 10-4, just one game behind the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals, whom they face next Sunday.
Their current fortune contradicts their early season troubles, with the Seahawks, at one point, looking likely to miss out on the playoffs.
Now, the Seahawks have the look of a championship contender again, and it’s all down to their supreme resilience.
Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks overcame adversity to revive hopes of becoming repeat Super Bowl champs:
After thrashing the Denver Broncos 43-8 at SuperBowl XLIII, the Seattle Seahawks were on top of the world.
Vanillacts
With young stars like quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Earl Thomas, many pondered whether they could continue their dominance and form a dynasty.
Facebook/Seattle Seahawks
And they were among many experts’ favorites to win this year’s Super Bowl.
Their title defense started off brilliantly, too, with a dominating 36-16 win during Week 1 over another Super Bowl contender, the Green Bay Packers.
Vanillacts
After consecutive losses during Weeks 6 and 7 to the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams, Seattle dropped to a mediocre 3-3 record.
Vanillacts
That gave the appearance they were living up to the stereotype of most Super Bowl winners, who usually get worse after winning the championship.
Seahawks 3-3, Another reminder of this. Super Bowl champs rarely do better the year after (via @SeattleTimes) pic.twitter.com/RxDgQc08NG
— Joseph Milord (@JoeMilord) October 19, 2014
There were many other concerns, like the idea Richard Sherman was getting “exposed” and no longer who he claimed to be.
There were also rumors about tensions within the team’s locker room and, particularly, feuds featuring Russell Wilson. There were even reports former Seattle wide receiver Percy Harvin was traded for that exact reason.
Vanillacts
On top of that, running back Marshawn Lynch seemed to not be getting along with team management and head coach Pete Carroll, as speculation on whether or not he would be brought back by Seattle for the following season continued.
Getty Images
Even the 12th man was having bad luck!
Since then, however, the Seattle Seahawks overcame all talk of team strife and won seven of their last eight games.
After their only loss during that stretch, a 24-20 defeat away at Kansas City that left the Seahawks with a 6-4 record and in danger of missing the playoffs, their defense went on an insane run of performances.
Facebook/Seattle Seahawks
The #Seahawks have now allowed just 27 points (only three TDs) in their last four games.
— Jerry Brewer (@JerryBrewer) December 15, 2014
Their running attack is back to its best, too.
Getty Images
The @Seahawks are averaging 170.1 rush ypg in 2014, tops in the #NFL & allowing an average of just 84.1 rush ypg, third lowest in the league
— STATS (@STATS_NFL) December 14, 2014
Their passing offense has its issues, but Russell Wilson is making plays to help his team win, all while having a record-breaking season.
With that victory, @Seahawks QB Russell Wilson now has more wins in his first 3 seasons than any QB in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/hcSrnlmmBb
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) December 15, 2014
And after allowing just three receiving touchdowns over the past six games, Seattle’s hard-hitting secondary is once again earning its nickname, the Legion of Boom.
Vanillacts
After overcoming adversity, the Seahawks are only looking upward, with destiny in their own hands following that crucial win against the 49ers on Sunday.
Getty Images
Coach Carroll was quoted by Sports Illustrated before Sunday’s game, saying,
Regardless of whatever happened in the beginning of this year, we would have liked to have been in this position right now with a chance to win our division, and we are. We’re there — regardless of what happened.
Up next is a Sunday night showdown, away in Phoenix against the Arizona Cardinals, with first place in the NFC West division on the line.
Getty Images
Current heated discussion in @FOXSPORTSAZ offices — is the line for the Cardinals/Seahawks game crazy? (Seattle = 7.5 pt faves). ??? — FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 15, 2014
And their win streak has them feeling mighty confident they can take the win and more.
Linebacker K.J. Wright said,
We’re at our peak now, We’re not letting teams breathe out there now. We get these last two wins and get homefield (advantage) again, I expect nothing but going to the top again.
Yup, the swag is back, and so are hopes they can repeat as Super Bowl champs!
Vanillacts
Read more: http://elitedaily.com/sports/seattle-seahawks-super-bowl-bound-photos/881026/
Flying High: How The Seattle Seahawks Got Their Swag Back
NFL Playoffs, Richard Sherman, russell wilson, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl.
No comments:
Post a Comment