Seattle Seahawks Come Close to Impossible Victory Thanks to Tarvaris Jackson

OK, during the first half of this game I was getting set to barbecue some crow for an afternoon snack. The way this game was shaping up, the defense of the Seattle Seahawks was doing anything but stopping the Atlanta Falcons.

In my article yesterday, I predicted that the Falcons would lose in Seattle thanks to Earl Thomas and Co. In the first half we looked more confused than anything. When Atlanta running back Michael Turner wasn't running over or around the defense, tight end Tony Gonzalez was catching touchdown passes. There was little or no pressure on quarterback Matt Ryan and he was finding his receivers at will, especially in the first quarter.

The turnover I mentioned went to Atlanta, not the other way around, and with its third drive starting on the Seahawk's 30-yard line, it wasn't long before Seattle was behind, 14 -0.  Things were looking bad and I was getting ready to eat crow, feathers and all.

Then the second half started. The defense held Atlanta to a field goal, and the Seahawks went into a no-huddle offense and scored. Another stop and score again, all of a sudden we have a game! In the second half, Seattle scored 21 points to Atlanta's 6, and with seconds to go, the Seahawks had a chance (a slim chance) to win. After a missed 61-yard field-goal attempt, all that was left was the moral victory of an improved Seahawk team.

Among the improvements:

• The offensive line, no sacks.
• Jackson found 10 different players to pass the ball to. Eight of them had at least three each.
• The running game moved the ball, Lynch looked like a beast more often than not
• The defense made adjustments during halftime and didn't quit
• Special teams had its best game so far, showing everyone that we just need time to become relevant in the division race.

The most significant improvement was quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. I am ready to apologize. I can admit when I am wrong, and I was wrong. Jackson played the game of his career as he threw for 319 yards and showed signs of being able to have thrown for more. ( I think a play-action pass at the end of the game to set up the field goal made more sense) 

The reason for the difference? Time in the pocket. Jackson was rushed half a dozen times but never sacked. When he scrambled, he had room to make yards. The interception in the first half was an obvious attempt to get Mike Williams more involved in the offense, and Jackson learned not to force his throws. In the second half, he had time to find open receivers, something new this season and he took advantage of it.

Overall, this would have been a win against most teams in the league. Atlanta moved the ball well in the first half, looked like a playoff team and used all of its offensive weapons. In the second half, Seattle found its rhythm on offense, sparking the defense and coming close to stealing a win from a good team.

When the Seahawks can play a whole game like the second half of this one, they will be hard to beat.

I am seeing that happen soon after the bye week. Stay tuned.