SB Nation Seattle - Seahawks Vs. Bengals: Seattle Falls 34-12 Thanks To Poor Special Teams Play https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-10-31T08:19:29-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22815262011-10-31T08:19:29-07:002011-10-31T08:19:29-07:00Has Anyone Ever Asked You If You Had "A Case Of The Mondays?"
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<img alt="SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Tavaris Jackson #7 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 30, 2011 at Century Link Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gyrgdhcPZstaZdhckkVloxXQWwA=/0x33:949x666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4607382/130979987.jpg" />
<figcaption>SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Tavaris Jackson #7 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 30, 2011 at Century Link Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A few silver linings for you on the Seahawks' loss to Cincy; try not to let Sunday ruin your week. </p> <p>I've always wondered what it was like to cover a team that loses and loses often. What are you supposed to say after a loss like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> managed on Sunday? Wouldn't it be depressing to pour over every mistake that was made on the way to a disheartening loss for your team? Well, yes.</p>
<p>Poor execution by young players. Some questionable calls by the referees. Some interesting coaching decisions. Bad luck. There are many reasons the Seahawks lost and I'll be exploring those reasons as the week goes on, but did you really want to start your Monday morning off by listening to me just rail on the team you know and love? God knows everyone else will, for the most part, so let's change it up.</p>
<p>I'm going to mostly ignore all the awful things that happened for today. I'll mostly ignore the dropped passes, 3-and-outs, missed assignments on special teams, and missed opportunities. Just for today.</p>
<p><i><b>The defense:</b></i></p>
<p>The defense is building itself an identity. They're tough, fast, hit hard, and have an attitude. These were all things we'd talked about last year when hoping for the future but the team John Schneider and Pete Carroll have begun to assemble is taking on that persona. The Seahawks have the 13th ranked defense by conventional standards - yards per game - in the NFL. As of today, they lead the league in opposing teams' yards per attempt on the ground at 3.2. Their secondary has taken some lumps and some injuries, with top two of their top CBs, <span>Marcus Trufant</span> and <span>Walter Thurmond</span>, now on the injured reserve. The youngsters have come in and played well. Probably better than we all expected. Ok, definitely better than we all expected.</p>
<p>Who thought at the end of last year that by Week 8, CFL-transplant Brandon Browner and 5th round draft pick rookie <span>Richard Sherman</span> would be the starting corner duo for the Seahawks and actually showing some promise? Did you think that in his first start Sherman would grab a pick and create another? Gotta love that.</p>
<p>Their defensive line is stout and has built some depth. Last season, with a couple of injuries sustained, the Seahawks defense essentially collapsed. This season, the depth that's been built is apparent, and injuries at key positions haven't completely derailed things. The line has been safe from that for the most part, but the growth of players like <span>Clinton McDonald</span> and <span>Anthony Hargrove</span> has been fun to watch.</p>
<p>Along the same lines as the cornerback position, who would have thought the Seahawks would release <span>Lofa Tatupu</span> and trade <span>Aaron Curry</span> for peanuts this season? <span>David Hawthorne</span> is back at his best position in the middle, <span>Leroy Hill</span> is having a great season, and rookie <span>K.J. Wright</span> has acquitted himself quite well, especially for the cost of a fourth-round pick. </p>
<p>Specifically, about Sunday: the Hawks held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> to 3.4 yards per carry on 27 rushes. They held <span>Andy Dalton</span> to 168 yards in the air and picked him off twice. In a nutshell, they did more than enough to secure their team the win for the 2nd straight week but the offense and special teams couldn't pull through for the second straight week. Speaking of the offense...</p>
<p><b><i><span>Tarvaris Jackson</span>:</i></b></p>
<p>Has anyone ever completely reversed the overall public opinion of himself in such a short time? When Jackson was signed, most people had low expectations. He'd be a guy that could run their offense, maybe, and might be that elusive 'game-manager' QB that Pete Carroll was looking for. After the first few preseason games, people began to really question this. After the first two regular season games, there were conspicuous and angry calls for his head and that of Pete Carroll for automatically declaring him the starting quarterback. </p>
<p>You gotta hand it to T-Jack though - he suffered through it, took those punches to his jaw and played through them. He got the offense going, from all accounts won the respect of his teammates, and now has done what I figured would be pretty much impossible, has won the respect of the fans. He's had several career highs in passing already this season, including on Sunday when he passed for 323 yards in two and a half quarters. I'm cautiously optimistic at this point that he could be that gap-filler for the Seahawks until they have drafted or signed their QB of the Future, and that might be for more than one season. </p>
<p>He's looked like a completely different player than in prior seasons and even in prior games early this year. He's got poise, confidence, and has been throwing a pretty football. He's been decisive. He's been tough as nails. I really hate to compare him to this, but you can tell this guy sat behind <span>Brett Favre</span> for a couple of seasons. He's got that same toughness to him. </p>
<p><b><i>The receiver corps:</i></b></p>
<p>Sidney Rice has shown he's the real deal. I don't know if people would argue that, but that's my impression. He's the number one the Seahawks have been looking for and is a legitimate threat on every single snap. <span>Ben Obomanu</span> has impressed for the most part in his relief of the oft-injured and mostly irrelevant Mike Williams this year. I still have hope that Mike can return this season and play up to the form he had last year, but for now Obo has done quite nicely, and probably has much better chemistry with this group of QBs on the Seahawks right now.</p>
<p><span>Doug Baldwin</span> has probably been the best undrafted free agent rookie in the NFL this season. </p>
<p><span>Golden Tate</span> has shown improvement. <span>Kris Durham</span> has shown some promise. Hell, even practice squadder <span>Ricardo Lockette</span> impressed in training camp. This corps of receivers has improved exponentially since last season.</p>
<p>On Sunday, the Seahawks had two 100-yard receivers in a game for the first time since 2004. Sidney Rice seven passes for 104 yards and Ben Obomanu had four for 107 yards. Doug Baldwin did his part with five for 73 yards. This kind of distribution is exciting. </p>
<p><b><i>Tight ends:</i></b></p>
<p>Funny how the position you're most excited about in the preseason becomes one of the weakest links on your team once the regular season rolls around. This problem has mostly been due to injuries and a curious case of the dropsies. The good news is that there is talent in this group - Zach Miller, <span>Cameron Morrah</span>, and <span>Anthony McCoy</span>, but they just need to live up to it. I have faith it will happen.</p>
<p><b><i>Offensive line: </i></b></p>
<p>There are growing pains here, naturally. Nothing on Sunday screamed 'progress' but at least they're significantly more youthful than last season, and trending in the right direction when taken in comparison to the beginning of the season.</p>
<p><b><i>Running backs:</i></b></p>
<p>I know <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> has his detractors but I like him. I think he runs hard, gets yardage when he shouldn't, and displays toughness. The run game will come with the development of the line. </p>
<p>Anyway, two tough losses in a row but not all is lost. Young teams tend to lose games, and tend to play inconsistently. That's what we're seeing here but I think there's reason for optimism going forward. Hopefully this hasn't ruined your Monday morning. </p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/31/2526698/seahawks-browns-recap-analysis-review-tarvaris-jackson-andy-daltonDanny Kelly2011-10-31T05:01:42-07:002011-10-31T05:01:42-07:00VIDEO: Brandon Tate Punt Return TD, Seahawks Punt Coverage FAIL
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<p>We've already talked about Pacman Jones <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525530/pacman-jones-punt-return-injury-hamstring-seahawks-vs-bengals">taking his first touch of the game down the field</a> to set up one of two crucial <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> touchdowns in their beatdown of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. Now it's <span>Brandon Tate's</span> turn, and the fail can't be ever more evident by Seahawks punt coverage. This touchdown essentially ended all hope at a Seattle late-game rally and pushed them back into doldrums central.</p>
<p>This belongs right on those Football Follies reels by NFL Films. Check it after the jump.</p>
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<p>Someone might need to review this very fishy punt return coverage by the Seahawks, which only needed a Benny Hill soundtrack set to it, because I'm not sure where any of these defenders were deciding to run to. The Seahawks might be committed to this whole tanking thing too, maybe with their eyes on Pete Carroll's former protege Matt Barkley ...</p>
<p>Or maybe they're just not good at this football. It's also a distinct possibility.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on the Seahawks,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com"> hit up Field Gulls</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/31/2526300/video-brandon-tate-punt-return-bengals-vs-seahawks-failAvinash Kunnath2011-10-31T05:01:25-07:002011-10-31T05:01:25-07:00Seahawks Vs. Bengals: Seattle Recap By The Numbers
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<p>Sunday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> certainly could have gone better for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. We take a few minutes to pick apart some of the key numbers and stats from the 34-12 loss. Maybe we can figure out what the Seahawks can improve on from here. Keep in mind, though: they're in second place!</p>
<p>The first bit of good news is that Seattle scored a whopping four times as many points as they scored in last week's game. The sky is the limit from here, everyone.</p>
<p>Seattle had 20 first downs compared to Cincinnati's 18 first downs. The Seahawks also managed to rack up more total yards and more passing yards than their opponents, but the key difference in this one came down to the two Bengals touchdowns that came from defense or special teams. <span>Brandon Tate</span> ran back a punt for a 56 yard touchdown, and <span>Reggie Nelson</span> managed a 75 yard pick-six with 0:36 left in the game after the game was already out of reach.</p>
<p>Quarterback <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> had a decent showing in his return from a pectoral injury, going 21-for-40 with over 300 passing yards, but with no touchdowns and an interception.</p>
<p><span>Ben Obomanu</span> led all Seattle receivers with 107 yards on four catches.</p>
<p>Seattle's offensive woes, of course, lie in the simple fact that the team cannot reliably find the end zone. Kicker <span>Steven Hauschka</span> was the only Seahawks player to score more than once, on field goals in the second and third periods.</p>
<p>If you feel like mulling this one over with your fellow Seahawks fans, you can find them at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/">Field Gulls</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/31/2526170/seahawks-vs-bengals-recap-by-the-numbersBill Hanstock2011-10-30T16:44:06-07:002011-10-30T16:44:06-07:00ANIMATED: Gibril Wilson Violates Leon Washington
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<p>This is not okay. In fact, it's a little creepy. Yes, I may be still upset about the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, but this is just kind of disgusting. And it feels like insult to injury. Then again, the Seahawks were already pretty injured, and perhaps a little insulted, as well.</p>
<p>I'm not even sure what <span>Gibril Wilson</span> is doing to <span>Leon Washington</span> here, but it looks bad. It just looks real bad all around. Watch Wilson in the gif below, watch the camera move in and figure out what he's doing. Note: the hips don't lie. The hips never lie.</p>
<p>Moving picture after the jump for your enjoyment.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/863609/YOUNG-LOVE.gif"><img alt="Young-love_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/863609/YOUNG-LOVE.gif" width="400/"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/YOUNG-LOVE.gif">gif.mocksession.com</a></p>
<p>You can see from Washington's reaction that Wilson did something wrong here. And judging from the jiggy-gyrations ... yeah. Come on, man. This is football. Play nice.</p>
<p>Whatever. The Seahawks got whipped and the Bengals had their with at CenturyLink Field. Sigh.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525660/gibril-wilson-leon-washington-seahawks-vs-bengalsBrian Floyd2011-10-30T16:42:00-07:002011-10-30T16:42:00-07:00Seahawks Vs. Bengals Score: Seattle Special Teams The Culprit In 34-12 Defeat
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are going to be a little baffled at how they were blown out on Sunday afternoon by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. After a slow start with <span>Charlie Whitehurst</span> on the field, Seattle was able to move the ball with <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> at quarterback, and mounted drives of 64, 84 and 79 yards to try and get back in the football game. But they could only manage ten points (including getting embarrassingly stopped one yard short of the end zone as time expired at the end of the first half) off those opportunities.</p>
<p>That wasn't enough to overcome the poor play by Seattle's special teams.</p>
<p>Adam "Pacman" Jones came in and returned a punt 63 yards to set up Cincinnati for a brief touchdown drive, and <span>Brandon Tate</span> came in for two big returns late: One for 45 yards after the last Seattle score, setting up a brief Bengals drive and a <span>Mike Nugent</span> 48 yard field goal to put Cincinnati up 20-12, and then a 56 yard punt return for a touchdown to put the game on ice.</p>
<p>Those 17 points made all the difference in a game that could have been very tight otherwise, but Seattle could not nail down all three facets of the game, losing despite outgaining Cincy by 160 yards.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the game with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">head to Field Gulls</a>. To discuss the game with Bengals fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com">head to Cincy Jungle</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525657/seahawks-vs-bengals-score-results-recapAvinash Kunnath2011-10-30T16:26:13-07:002011-10-30T16:26:13-07:00Bengals Vs. Seahawks Video: A.J. Green Over-The-Head Touchdown Catch
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> must be really loving the production they're getting from <span>Andy Dalton</span>. But part of Dalton's success comes in part to the fact that he has a top-notch wide receiver to rely on.</p>
<p>One of the most difficult throws to nail is the over-the-head catch, since you have to keep on running stride-for-stride while not looking back for the football. You have to hope that sucker drops into your lap, or otherwise you have no chance of making the completion. <span>A.J. Green</span> did it to perfection on a deep post pattern, and hauled it in to give the Bengals a decisive halftime advantage.</p>
<p>Video after the jump.</p>
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<p>Cincinnati hasn't been pounding out the yards, but they've been efficient in taking advantage of their opportunities, which was all they needed to beat Seattle.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on the Bengals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com">go to Cincy Jungle</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">check out Field Gulls</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525623/a-j-green-catch-bengals-vs-seahawks-videoAvinash Kunnath2011-10-30T15:53:07-07:002011-10-30T15:53:07-07:00Seahawks Vs. Bengals Score Update: Cincinnati Keeping Seattle Out Of End Zone, Leads 17-6
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<p>The Seattle Sehawks put up 121 yards of total offense in the third quarter. They came out of it with three points.</p>
<p><span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> has had three nice drives for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, each one looking better than the next one. Jackson found <span>Doug Baldwin</span> for four yards and <span>Cameron Morrah</span> for 13 yards to get the Seahawks to midfield, but the drive stalled on a few incompletions and Seattle was forced to punt.</p>
<p>After a Cincinnati three-and-out, Seattle encroached into <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> territory thanks to a few <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> rushes and Jackson connections with <span>Michael Robinson</span> and <span>Ben Obomanu</span> got the Seahawks to the Cincinnati 33. Lynch was stuffed on 3rd and 1 at the Cincy 33 and Seattle elected to punt.</p>
<p>After <span>Richard Sherman</span> intercepted a deep passing play by <span>Andy Dalton</span>, a huge connection between Jackson and Ben Obomanu for 55 yards brought Seattle from their own nine yard line to the Cincinnati 36. A Lynch nine yard rush and a Jackson connection to Sidney Rice for 15 yards helped set up first and goal for Seattle at the ten yard line, but they couldn't get past the seven and had to settle for a <span>Steven Hauschka</span> field goal to cut the lead to eleven.</p>
<p>Seattle is looking better offensively with Jackson in, but they have only three points from his efforts to show for it.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the game with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">go to Field Gulls</a>. To discuss the game with Bengals fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com">go to Cincy Jungle</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525556/seahawks-vs-bengals-score-update-cincinnati-keeping-seattle-out-ofAvinash Kunnath2011-10-30T15:39:16-07:002011-10-30T15:39:16-07:00VIDEO: Pacman Jones Injures Hamstring On Punt Return For Bengals Vs. Seahawks
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<p><span>Adam Jones</span> (otherwise known as Pacman Jones) has had a tumultuous career in the NFL for all of his off-the-field antics, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him back on the field on Sunday. Jones was activated by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> and pressed into duty against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, and immediately made his impact felt on the field.</p>
<p>Check out the video of Jones's strong return after the jump.</p>
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<p><br>Figures that he'd hurt himself on the first big play in his NFL return. Jones suffered a hamstring injury and had to leave the game--he was spotted on the sideline icing his hamstring down. It'd explain how Seahawks punter <span>Jon Ryan</span> was able to catch him so easily from behind.</p>
<p>This play helped put Cincinnati up multiple scores on Seattle early, and the Seahawks have been playing catch up ever since.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on the Bengals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com">go to Cincy Jungle</a>. For more on the Seahawks, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">go to Field Gulls</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/10/30/2525530/pacman-jones-punt-return-injury-hamstring-seahawks-vs-bengalsAvinash Kunnath