SB Nation Seattle - Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Seattle Finishes Season At 7-9 With OT Loss To Arizonahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2012-01-02T13:14:00-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24311532012-01-02T13:14:00-08:002012-01-02T13:14:00-08:00Seahawks Lose to Cardinals to End Season: A Look at Some of the Numbers
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<p>Let's take a look at some of the numbers from last night's game, and also some of the final numbers Seattle had as a team.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> closed out their season on Sunday with an overtime loss to Arizona, 23-20, foiling their bid to finish at 8-8 and 2nd in the NFC West. I wrote before the game that although there were no playoff implications for the game, long term tone-setting and a little momentum and confidence heading into the offseason certainly wouldn't hurt either team. In the end, though Seattle came out behind, what showed through for me was that the NFC West is no longer a soft, aging or just plain bad division, and when coupled with Seattle's smashmouth grudgematch with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> last week, it's easy to see the intra-division rivalries developing nicely. </p>
<p>But that's looking forward. Let's take a look at some of the numbers from last night's game, and also some of the final numbers Seattle had as a team.</p>
<p><span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> finished 21 of 35 for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception on the day. These numbers are just about on par for how he performed on the season. Solid, not spectacular, not going to win you many games outright, but also not going to lose you games alone either. Jackson finished 271 for 450 on the season, a completion percentage of 60.2%, for 3,091 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. It was the first time he has thrown for over 3,000 yards in a season, and considering he played much of the year with a partially torn pectoral muscle, fairly respectable. </p>
<p>That said, he was, really, about what you could have expected. He will thrown a nice deep ball for a big gain and then on the next play throw a pick. He'll take a few untimely sacks from holding the ball too long and he'll extend plays and make unlikely first downs. He's neither great nor terrible, and he's exciting at times and frustrating at others. As you can probably tell, I'm fairly neutral on Jackson and wouldn't be overly glad or disappointed if he returns as the starting QB for the Seahawks next season. </p>
<p>He's a good leader in the locker room and respected by his teammates, and the value in that is not something you can overlook. You can tell which teams have no confidence in their quarterbacks, and they're almost exclusively bad teams. The Seahawks are not a bad team, and they could use a more complete, dynamic player under center, but that doesn't mean Tarvaris Jackson is the problem. That said, finding his successor remains important. </p>
<p><span>Golden Tate</span> led the way for the Seahawks' receivers on Sunday, grabbing five catches for 46 yards. <span>Doug Baldwin</span> added three for 40, and rookie <span>Ricardo Lockette</span> hauled in a 61-yard bomb for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. </p>
<p><span>Marshawn Lynch</span>, as usual, led the way on the rushing attack, picking up 86 yards on 19 attempts. He was kept out of the endzone for the first time in 12 games. Lynch finished the season with 1,204 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. This was good for 7th in the NFL despite an excruciatingly slow start, and Lynch trailed only <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span>, <span>Ray Rice</span>, <span>Michael Turner</span>, <span>LeSean McCoy</span>, <span>Arian Foster</span>, and <span>Frank Gore</span>. Pretty good company to be in. </p>
<p><span>Leon Washington</span> finished well behind Lynch but second on the team in rushing, with 53 rushes for 248 yards and a touchdown. </p>
<p>As for the receiving corps, the numbers are pretty well spread out, which could be expected, considering the amount of injuries at the position this season. Undrafted free agent rookie Doug Baldwin surprisingly led the team in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns, nabbing 51 catches for 788 yards and 4 TDs. <span>Ben Obomanu</span> grabbed 37/436/2, Golden Tate 35/382/3, Sidney Rice 32/484/2, and Mike Williams 18/236/1. </p>
<p>Zach Miller's receiving yards were down this year to 25/233, but his blocking was very much noticed by the front office and fans. <span>Anthony McCoy</span> (13/146) and <span>Cameron Morrah</span> (6/74) logged significant snaps as well. </p>
<p>Comparing offensive numbers to last year, the Seahawks improved in some areas and regressed in others. Their total offensive yardage output was up to 4,860 yards, an improvement over last year's 4,765. They rushed for 1,765 yards this season, an improvement over the 1,424 from last year. They averaged 4.0 yards per carry, better than last year's 3.7 ypc, and scored 15 rushing TDs, better than the 13 from last year. </p>
<p>Probably the most impressive improvement, as a team, was their +8 turnover ratio, a vast improvement over last year's -9 mark, though much of this is due to the defense. Speaking of that...</p>
<p>The defense didn't have their best game on Sunday, giving up 131 yards on the ground, 93 yards to LaRod Stephens-Howling. They gave up 271 yards to <span>John Skelton</span> on 22 of 40 passing, one touchdown and one interception. <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> did account for a large part of Arizona's offensive output though, and there's certainly no shame in that. Fitz played out of his mind, catching 9 passes for 149 yards, including 3 for 46 in the crucial overtime frame. </p>
<p>In terms of traditional stats, the Seahawks certainly made some improvements this season. They finished the year giving up an average of 332 yards per game total, ninth in the NFL. That was an improvement from 2010's performance, where they gave up 368 yards per game, 27th in the NFL. The Seahawks gave up an average of 219.9 yards per game through the air, 11th in the league, and 3.8 yards per carry on the ground, good for 4th in the NFL.</p>
<p>Last season, the Hawks gave up 249 yards per game through the air, 27th in the NFL, and 4.2 yards per carry on the ground, good for 13th in the league. You could quote about a million different statistics to make a case for your argument, but those are a few numbers that make it easy to see the apparent improvement. </p>
<p><span>Kam Chancellor</span>, <span>Earl Thomas</span>, and <span>David Hawthorne</span> led the way for the defense, and Chris Clemons, <span>Brandon Browner</span>, and <span>Richard Sherman</span> made big contributions as well. <span>Brandon Mebane</span> and <span>Leroy Hill</span> were their normal effective selves, and newcomer <span>Alan Branch</span> played well plugging up the middle. <span>Red Bryant</span> continued his career renaissance by putting together a very strong year, and <span>K.J. Wright</span> proved that even as a rookie, he can make plays and contribute as a starter. </p>
<p>There will be much more of this type of analysis over the next few weeks, but that's what I got right now. Make sure you check out Field Gulls for more on the Seahawks!</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/2/2677342/seahawks-lose-to-cardinals-to-end-season-a-look-at-some-of-the-numbersDanny Kelly2012-01-02T06:01:51-08:002012-01-02T06:01:51-08:002012 NFL Draft Order: Landry Jones Could Be A Viable Target For Seattle Seahawks
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are putting their 2011 season behind them and looking toward the future. There is next season, of course, but in the more immediate future there is the 2012 NFL Draft.</p>
<p>It has been announced that the Seahawks will flip to see who gets the 11th pick in the Draft, but even a 12th position would allow them to grab a good selection. Seattle's most pressing needs long-term are at quarterback and help with the 4-3 defensive end.</p>
<p>While the big QB name in the bunch, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37738/andrew-luck">Andrew Luck</a>, will be long gone by the time the 12th selection rolls around, the teams ahead of the Seahawks in the draft have some very specific needs, very few of them regarding the QB role. One quarterback who could still be around is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> from Oklahoma, who would be a great prospect to inherit the starter role from <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> down the road. There's also a chance that Seattle could instead snap up DE Quenton Coples of North Carolina, who is expected to go in the top 15.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the draft with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/">head to Field Gulls</a>.</b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/2/2675970/2012-nfl-draft-order-landry-jones-seattle-seahawks-quenton-coplesBill Hanstock2012-01-01T17:34:03-08:002012-01-01T17:34:03-08:002012 NFL Draft Order: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs Will Flip For 11th Pick
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<p>This isn't quite as exciting as two teams flipping for the first and the second pick, but both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> are uncertain who they'll be picking in the 2012 NFL Draft. Both of them are right in the lottery mix, and one of them will finish with a higher pick because of pure chance.</p>
<p>With Seattle losing to Arizona and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> also winning, Seattle leapt all the way up from the 14th pick to the 11th/12th position into a tie with Kansas City. However, both the Seahawks and the Chiefs are tied in all of the tiebreaking scenarios, so it'll come down to a coin flip to determine who gets the pick. It's likely the coin toss will take place at the NFL Combine (as it has in previous scenarios), but both teams should be in prime position. <br><br>If Seattle wins, they get the 11th pick; a loss drops them to the 12th pick. Not a significant drop, but every position could make the difference in a draft loaded with top players.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the draft with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">head to Field Gulls</a>. To talk about the draft with Chiefs fans,</b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com"> go to Arrowhead Pride</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2675280/seattle-seahawks-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-draft-order-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-01-01T16:56:47-08:002012-01-01T16:56:47-08:00Seattle Seahawks Fall 23-20 In Overtime To Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> concluded the season with the same record they had last season: 7-9. Unlike last year, there were a few good teams in their division, so they finished in third place instead of first in the NFC West.</p>
<p>A few big connections between <span>John Skelton</span> and <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> on the final drive (including one incredible catch that we'll have more on later) helped Arizona set up a <span>Jay Feely</span> 28 yard field goal to clinch the game for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> in overtime.</p>
<p>Neither quarterback had too impressive a performance, although <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> did bring Seattle back in this one with a big-time connection with <span>Ricardo Lockette</span> for 61 yards tied the game at 20. Jackson completed 60% of his passes, Skleton 55%, but both had less than seven yards per pass attempt and a touchdown and an interception apiece.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the game with Seattle Seahawks fans,<a target="_blank" href="http:///www.revengeofthebirds.com"> </a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">go to Field Gulls</a>. To check out the game with Cardinals fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">head to Revenge of the Birds</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2675194/seattle-seahawks-vs-arizona-cardinals-score-recapAvinash Kunnath2012-01-01T15:40:29-08:002012-01-01T15:40:29-08:00Seahawks Video: Leon Washington TD Run Vs. Cardinals
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<p>Apparently <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> isn't the only one who can go Beast Mode for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. A few nice quick cuts by <span>Leon Washington</span> behind strong offensive line blocking helped allow Seattle to tie the game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. One nice cut to the opposite side of the field juked a Cardinals defender out of his shoes.</p>
<p>After the jump, video of the touchdown run.</p>
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<p><i><b>To discuss the Seahawks, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">head to Field Gulls</a>. To discuss the Cardinals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">go to Revenge of the Birds</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2675031/leon-washington-seattle-seahawks-vs-arizona-cardinalsAvinash Kunnath2012-01-01T14:53:56-08:002012-01-01T14:53:56-08:00Seahawks Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Seattle Down 10-3 At Halftime
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> looked like they might be in danger of giving back more points to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> when <span>Rob Housler</span> caught a football from <span>John Skelton</span> for 21 yards, but fumbled the ball and saw <span>K.J. Wright</span> recover the ball deep into Arizona territory. It looked like Seattle would at least come out of this drive with a field goal, but <span>Richard Marshall</span> intercepted a <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> pass and returned it back to Seattle territory.</p>
<p>After both teams settled for punts on three-and-outs, another dynamic <span>Patrick Peterson</span> punt return set up Arizona deep in Seattle territory, and they only needed to move the football eight yards to set up a <span>Jay Feely</span> 41 yard field goal and put Arizona up 10-3. Seattle has not crossed midfield since the Jackson interception. However, they should feel like they're very much in it down only a touchdown.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the game with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">head on over to Field Gulls</a>. To talk about the game with Cardinals fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">check out Revenge of the Birds</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2674940/seattle-seahawks-vs-arizona-cardinals-scoreAvinash Kunnath2012-01-01T14:23:19-08:002012-01-01T14:23:19-08:00Seahawks Vs. Cardinals Score: Seattle Trails Arizona 7-3
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> had a lot of trouble moving the football in the first quarter. They went four yards on their first drive, then only managed 32 yards on their next drive. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> then got going with some big runs by <span>LaRod Stephens-Howling</span>, who managed 39 and 22 yard gains deep into Seattle territory to set up a <span>Chester Taylor</span> one yard touchdown rush.</p>
<p>Seattle did come back on their next drive and manage to move the football into scoring position. <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> found <span>Golden Tate</span> for eight and 23 yards and <span>Doug Baldwin</span> for ten, and rushes by <span>Leon Washington</span> of eight and fifteen yards and <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> of nine yards help set up a <span>Steven Hauschka</span> 43 yard field goal. The Seahawks have some rallying to do if they expect to win this football game.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the game with Seahawks fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com">head on over to Field Gulls</a>. To discuss the game with Cardinals fans,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com"> go to Revenge of the Birds</a>. </b></i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2674883/seattle-seahawks-vs-arizona-cardinals-scoreAvinash Kunnath2012-01-01T12:07:09-08:002012-01-01T12:07:09-08:00Seahawks vs. Cardinals Inactives: Tarvaris Jackson Playing, Beanie Wells Out
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are looking to finish their 2011 season on a high note with a victory over their NFC West rivals the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. They will be relatively healthy heading into their matchup, though will have a few players inactive this Sunday.</p>
<p><span style="text-align: left;">The Seahawks will be without quarterback <span>Josh Portis</span>, safety <span>Jeron Johnson</span>, cornerback <span>Phillip Adams</span>, linebacker <span>Malcolm Smith</span>, guard <span>Paul Fanaika</span>, offensive tackle <span>Jarriel King</span> and defensive end Pep Levingston this afternoon. Quarterback <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span>, wide receiver Ben Obamanu and cornerback <span>Kennard Cox</span> will be active. </span></p>
<p>As for the Cardinals, their big injury this afternoon is to their running back <span>Beanie Wells</span>, who will be inactive today. <span>LaRod Stephens-Howling</span> will get the start in his place. Wells is dealing with a knee injury. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>For more on the Seahawks, make sure to check out <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com" target="_blank">Field Gulls</a>. For the Cardinals side of things, head over to <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com" target="_blank">Revenge of the Birds</a> to get your fix. </i></b> </p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2012/1/1/2674560/seahawks-vs-cardinals-inactives-tarvaris-jackson-playing-beanie-wells-outErnie Pomin