Seahawks vs. Steelers: Seattle Grades, Notes & Quotes

The Legion of Boom looked more like its old self and the Seattle Seahawks passing offense came alive in a thrilling 39-30 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. 

Quarterback Russell Wilson threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns and safety Kam Chancellor intercepted a pass from Steelers backup quarterback Landry Jones just outside of the two-minute warning to seal the win for Seattle.

Wilson, who turned 27 years old on Sunday, set personal records for passing yards (345) and touchdowns (five) against a Steelers team coming off of a Week 11 bye.

This game was full of lead changes and big scoring plays from both teams. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 456 yards and one touchdown while throwing two interceptions. The Seahawks have never given up more passing yards in a game in franchise history.

It was key for Seattle's defense to bend but not break—Pittsburgh ended multiple drives with field-goal attempts rather than touchdowns. Those drives proved to be the difference in a close game.

Wilson had one of his best games as an NFL quarterback; his final touchdown throw, a short pass that became an 80-yard catch-and-run by wideout Doug Baldwin, was the nail in the Steelers' coffin. 

But the Seahawks turned momentum in their favor long before Baldwin's breakaway touchdown. 

In the third quarter, Roethlisberger had an errant throw intercepted by defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin. Rookie running back Thomas Rawls scored a one-yard touchdown two plays later. 

The score was set up by a 36-yard catch by tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham would leave the game not long after with what NFL Media's Jeremy Bergman has reported as a torn patellar tendon. Graham suffered the injury on this play after landing awkwardly in the end zone. 

Cornerback Richard Sherman got his first interception of 2015 on a Roethlisberger throw that wasn't near any Pittsburgh receivers. The Seahawks capitalized on the turnover, eventually scoring on a nine-yard touchdown catch by receiver Jermaine Kearse.

Pittsburgh struck back quickly, however, with a 69-yard touchdown pass to wideout Markus Wheaton. It was an indefensible throw from Roethlisberger into sound double coverage by Seattle and gave Pittsburgh a one-point lead.

Wheaton finished the game with nine catches for 201 yards and a score.

Seattle's passing offense came up big on the following drive, covering 73 yards in 3:28 and scoring on a 30-yard pass to Baldwin.

The Seahawks defense held the Steelers to a field goal on the ensuing possession, and Baldwin's 80-yard touchdown essentially iced the game after that. Baldwin finished with 145 yards and three touchdown catches in the game.

Sunday's huge win puts the Seahawks at 6-5 and in the lead for an NFC wild-card spot. 

Continue reading for grades, notes and quotes from Seattle's win against the Steelers.

Grades

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Quarterback: A+

It would be hard not to give Wilson this week's game ball. The Seahawks quarterback lit up the Steelers secondary all game long, showing great composure in tough spots. Wilson threw five touchdown passes and only nine incompletions.

Wilson and his receivers benefited greatly from an aggressive Seahawks game plan. 

Running Backs: B

Thomas Rawls was solid, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. What doesn't show up in the box score? Rawls' toughness. In the last two weeks, Rawls has shown he can be the type of workhorse running back that the Seahawks offense likes to rely on.

Wide Receivers: A

Baldwin exploded for 145 yards and three receiving touchdowns on six catches, while Kearse and Tyler Lockett both made their presence felt. Kearse finished the game with two touchdowns.

The Seahawks receivers consistently got open deep downfield, making Seattle's vertical offense come to life. Baldwin's after-the-catch ability was key in Sunday's win. 

Tight Ends: A

Graham was having one of his best performances of the season before leaving the game with a right knee injury. 

He showed toughness and concentration to catch four passes for 75 yards and finally looked comfortable with the routes he was being asked to run. His presence will be missed going forward. 

Offensive Line: B+

Seattle's front five helped Rawls get tough yardage when needed and only allowed Wilson to be sacked twice. This unit is looking much better than it did a few weeks ago.

For the second straight week, Wilson's legs have helped this group look better than it is in pass protection, which is why it misses an "A" mark. 

Defensive Line: A

Linemen Cliff Avril and Frank Clark each earned a sack on Roethlisberger, coming up in big spots. Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams was held to only 29 yards rushing, although he was impactful in Pittsburgh's passing attack. 

Linebackers: B

Seattle's linebackers are a talented group, and they played well on Sunday. However, the middle of the field was often uncovered, leading to multiple third-down conversions for the Steelers. 

Williams caught seven passes for 88 yards and was Pittsburgh's second-leading receiver. The Seahawks linebackers had trouble covering him over the middle all day long. 

Defensive Backs: B+

The Legion of Boom played closer to the level we expect on Sunday despite giving up more than 200 yards to Wheaton. 

Sherman was outstanding in covering Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver. Brown finished the game with six catches for only 51 yards. 

DeShawn Shead started in place of a benched Cary Williams and played admirably. His main assignment was to cover Martavis Bryant, and Shead held the Steelers' speedy wideout to just five receptions for 69 yards.

If Wheaton doesn't catch for 200 yards, then this group gets an A.

Special Teams: B

Seattle's kicking unit messed up an extra-point attempt for the second straight week, as Steven Hauschka's third-quarter kick was blocked by Pittsburgh. The miss did not end up making a substantial difference in the game.

Lockett added a speedy 54-yard kick return.  

Coaching: A

Pete Carroll and his coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for this win—the Seahawks' aggressive game plan worked well on both sides of the ball.

The Seahawks were penalized often in this game, racking up eight penalties for 76 yards. But, as in years past, the aggressive play-calling and execution made up for fouls in a huge win at home. 

Seattle's Passing Offense Comes Alive

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

A week ago against the San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks rode the back of undrafted rookie running back Thomas Rawls.

Against the Steelers, Seattle effortlessly moved the ball through the air all game long. The offense's vertical passing attack not only answered Pittsburgh scoring drives but lessened the pressure on Seattle's defense. Aerial success was the key to Sunday's victory. 

Maybe most encouraging is that the success was fostered by Seattle's veteran receivers in Baldwin and Kearse. 

The receiving duo's explosiveness was reminiscent of Seattle's offense in its recent Super Bowl runs. Kearse found a way to get open in the red zone and Baldwin was hitting on all cylinders, catching passes of the short and long variety. 

Wilson, of course, was on fire. He looked confident throwing the ball, especially on a pair of lasers to an open Baldwin for touchdowns. 

Seattle's quarterback was composed, despite multiple lead changes. Wilson led the offense at a high level all game long, and his quarterback rating of 147.9 appropriately reflects it.

Sunday's game was one of Wilson's most memorable individual performances. 

Jimmy Graham out for the Season

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Carroll confirmed after the game that Graham will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win.

Graham will require surgery, according to Carroll.

It's a shame that Graham suffered the injury in one of his most productive games in 2015. Despite the explosion from Seahawks wideouts, Graham still ended up being Seattle's second-leading receiver against the Steelers with four catches for 75 yards.

Graham's absence will be felt going forward. Entering Sunday's game, Graham was Seattle's most-targeted receiver and was tied with Baldwin for a team-high 44 catches on the season.

On the bright side, tight end Luke Willson has proven in the past that he can be an effective weapon in the passing game. His familiarity with the Seahawks offense should make for a smooth transition from Graham. 

Russell Wilson Had 3 IVs During the Game

John Froschauer/Associated Press

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweeted that Russell Wilson had three IVs going during Sunday's game after waking up feeling ill.

But Wilson, whose birthday came on the same day that he set personal records for passing yards and touchdowns, didn't show any effects of being sick in his five-touchdown performance. 

Quarterbacks are expected to be team leaders on a weekly basis—and this week, Wilson led by example.

The fact that Wilson wasn't at 100 percent puts an extra cherry on his sweet performance. The way that Wilson shredded the Pittsburgh defense and, more importantly, had his offense in consistent rhythm is encouraging going forward. 

Wilson's performance against the Steelers is the type that can inspire a late-season run—and that's exactly what the Seahawks need right now.

Ethan is a Seattle Seahawks Game Day Correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks coverage and musings about the NFL.