The Seahawks kicked off the 2012 NFL preseason with a 27-17 win over visiting Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker, and the Tennessee Titans. The game got off to an auspicious start when Brandon Browner intercepted a deflected Hasselbeck pass on the game's first play from scrimmage and returned the ball 23 yards for a score.
The Seahawks first-team defense looked solid, and Jason Jones showed up immediately playing from the 3-tech position, getting into the backfield to stuff one run for a loss and generally just disrupting Hasselbeck's pocket. They were stingy against the run and didn't really give up and big plays, and Richard Sherman had an interception near the endzone when Matt aired it out on the second play of the 2nd quarter.
The Seahawks' first offensive drive was pretty impressive, as they matriculated down the field efficiently. They ate up over nine minutes of the first quarter clock, and ran the ball well. After a five yard pass to Golden Tate to open the drive, Leon Washington had consecutive runs of 9 yards, 9 yards, and 8 yards, respectively. The drive stalled in the redzone though, and the Seahawks had to settle for a field goal. The first-team offense wouldn't regain that spark though in the first half, and as Danny O'Neil pointed out on twitter, while the Seahawks opening possession picked up 58 yards of offense and five first downs; their next three possessions combined for 41 yards of offense and three first downs. Still, overall, Flynn looked consistent and comfortable - and he finished 11/13 for 71 yards and a pick.
In the second half, the Seahawks gave up a quick two touchdowns, one on a Darius Reynaud run and then followed up quickly with a returned punt for a score. Russell Wilson had his ups and downs but overall looked pretty solid for a rookie. He connected with Braylon Edwards on a deep bomb jump ball that Edwards wrested from the defender for his first passing touchdown. He made one major mistake, and it came in the redzone when he looked for Sean McGrath up the seam but severely underthrew him for a pick. Wilson bounced back after that play though and finished the game 12/16 for 124 yards passing, one touchdown and one pick. He also ran for a touchdown on a beautifully executed bootleg.
On the game, the Seahawks gained 321 yards of offense, 135 yards on the ground with 5.0 yards per carry, and 186 yards passing. Their passing attack was efficient, 23-29, but those two picks did hurt. They had typical Seahawks' balance, rushing 27 times and throwing 29 times, and they won the time of possession battle 32:16 to 27:44.
Leon Washington led the way for the Seahawks on the ground with 5 rushes for 26 yards, and Robert Turbin had 24 yards on ten carries. Braylon Edwards had 2 catches for 51 yards and touchdown.
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