Big Apple Beatdown

Seahawks      23
Giants            0


The Seahawks played their final road game of the season on Sunday. It's entirely possible that the next road game they play will be in that very same stadium-- the site of Super Bowl XLVIII in February.

Motivated by last week's loss to the 49ers, Seattle came in to New York determined to prove a point and that's exactly what they did.  The Seahawks looked like the team that rolled through the fourth quarter of last season and deep into the playoffs.

Eli Manning had the worst game of his storied career, throwing 5 interceptions while being sacked 4 times. Richard Sherman had a pair of interceptions, as did Byron Maxwell.  Earl Thomas, who is neck and neck with Sherman for Defensive MVP, also had an interception.

The defense looked spectacular but the story of this team starts with Russell Wilson.  Wilson has won more games in his first two years than any quarterback in history. He certainly hasn't done it alone.  Marshawn Lynch, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin have been tremendously reliable every week.

This team has consistently shown, throughout Pete Carroll's tenure, that it's strength is in its depth.  The 'next man up' philosophy has been expertly executed for three seasons now. The difference this year is that each player gets better week to week.  The best get better and the guys on the bench are hungry to get a piece of the action.  Always Compete.  Win Forever. It's not just a catchphrase-- its a proven mantra.

Seattle has two games left and both are against division rivals.  The entire NFC West won this week, proving that the division just a few short years ago known as 'NFC Worst' is now the 'NFC Best'. The Seahawks have guaranteed themselves a playoff spot, but their next goal is winning their division. A win against the much-improved Cardinals in Seattle next week would lock up the division and the #1 playoff seed.

The best team in football this year in right here in Seattle.  The only thing that can stop them from winning it all this season is themselves-- and I just don't see that happening.