My 2011 Seahawks Review

[The Q]

I didn't write this up as a blog post on the Seahawks blog mainly because I wasn't sure how to get all my thoughts into an article today. I just mainly wanted to sum up most of the season in point form. Figured this was the better spot for it.

The Obvious

The Seahawks finished at 7-9 and out of the playoffs.

I am of the opinion that the season was not a total loss, as their mid-season push got them back into the playoff race. That's always a bonus as far as I can tell, especially when it comes to playing meaningful games at the end of December, and eventually January.

• Seattle lost their first 2 games of the season, but they were not surprising losses against San Francisco and Pittsburgh and both were on the road.
• The Seahawks got their first win of the season in their first home game facing the Arizona Cardinals.

In their first 3 games the Seattle offense struggled, as Tarvaris Jackson did not look like a QB that could get it done and Marshawn Lynch failed to rush for over 80 yards or average over 4 yards per carry in Seattle's first 4 games.

People were wondering what the TOM CABLE hype machine was all about. Just give it time I said! it will come!

Next - The Season definer...

The Seahawks shocked the New York Giants on the road in their 5th game in the Big Apple to move to 2-3 on the season. Seattle then went on to lose their next 3 games, as they really struggled on both sides of the ball.

But what we knew as fans is that we had a young team, and that win in NYC while it didn't get followed up, was a good boost for the young team. They knew they could win on the road in a place like NY.

Long Way To Go

Sitting at 2-6 things did not look good for Seattle, but then they scored another upset win and snapped their 3-game losing streak beating the Baltimore Ravens at home in week 10.

The previous week in the loss to Dallas Lynch began his mid-season surge, which was one of the main reasons the Seahawks got back in the playoff picture.

Then the FUN Began

After the Baltimore win the Seahawks won 4 of their next 5 games.

The mid-season streak got the Seahawks back to 7-7 and back in the post-season picture.

In winning 4 of 5 games after the Ravens' win Lynch rushed for over 100 yards 3 times and scored a TD in every game.

The defense was also much improved over that time, especially against the pass. Skittles were raining down on Lynch at CenturyLink Field after he stated he loved the candy and ate them on the sidelines.

Sitting at 7-7 the Seahawks needed to win their last 2 games of the season, and get help, to have any chance to make the playoffs and it would have to be a Wild Card since the 49ers already wrapped up the NFC West.

Rivalry's Continue - The NFC West has a bright competitive future

In the 2nd to last game against the 49ers at home the Seahawks played good D and Lynch rushed for over 100 yards, but Tarvaris Jackson did not have a good game and the San Fran D played well in the 49ers 19-17 win.

In the season finale the Seahawks lost a tough game to the Arizona Cardinals 23-20 to end the season with a 7-9 record.

Lynch rushed for over 1,200 yards in the season and he is a big question mark heading to the off-season, as the Seahawks really need to bring him back.

Seattle also needs to address the QB need, as this season showed Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are not the answers under center.

The off-season will also be much needed rest for the offensive line, which saw several players go down with season-ending injuries. Moffitt, Carpenter, and Okung will be welcomed back by open arms.

Though it was nice having McQuistan, Breno and Jean Claude Van Damme step up. (The Euro's as I call them)

A Pro Bowl Nod

Free Safety Earl Thomas was the lone Seahawks' player to make the Pro Bowl. While he's the only one, many are saying Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Brandon Browner ALL had Pro Bowl type seasons. Seattle has to have the best young secondary in the NFL.

2012

Pete Carroll's 2nd straight 7-9 season in Seattle was up and down. Next Year they must...

• Get a top flight QB.
• they must re-sign Lynch
• and their pass RUSH needs some improvement.

[Brandon]

This is a GREAT review, Q! Your points are dead on. I agree with you here.