Hawks block Cardinals’ path to NFC West title – for one day at least
A GRIP ON SPORTS
Ask a group of football coaches what play really swings momentum during a game and you'll get a variety of answers. A kickoff return for a touchdown, one might say, just because of how suddenly it deflates an upbeat team. An interception return for six, another may chime in. But there is one play that seems to pop up in this discussion more than any other. A blocked punt. Read on.
• I have asked this question before, which is why I know the answer. It's not an overwhelming consensus, sure, because one coach might favor a running back rumbling through the defense for a score, knocking defenders aside en route to the end zone, and another might lean toward a quick strike pass that immediately puts a team in a hole. But over the years the punt block keeps coming up. Maybe yesterday's Seahawks' game illustrated why. The Hawks were dominating the game, sure, especially on defense, but DeShawn Shead's punt block – when the Cardinals only had 10 men on the field – seemed to deflate Arizona more than anything. The Hawks only got another Steven Hauschka field goal out of it, but the 12-3 lead seemed like 28-3, the way the Hawk defense was playing. The next time the Hawks had the ball they put together an actual touchdown drive and that was that. If anything, this game had a retro feel to it. All the way back to 2013, when the defense made small leads stand up and, if need be, scored a touchdown to take the pressure off. The latter did not happen yesterday but, for one of the few times this season, it sure seemed possible. Mainly because Bobby Wagner, back from his toe injury, and Kam Chancellor, finally getting healthy, held down the middle, killing the Cardinal running game and forcing Drew Stanton to beat them with his arm. He couldn't. But in the week-to-week league that is the NFL, the Hawks have to do it all over again in three days. A Thanksgiving night battle with San Francisco looms in the Bay, an elimination game for the teams if you will. At least, for this week, Seattle looks as if it could have the momentum. Ask any coach. That's what a dominating win can do for you.
•••
• WSU: It's Apple Cup Week (with the prerequisite all capitals). The Cougar seniors are looking to go out with back-to-back home wins, after WSU rallied to win the 2012 game. Jacob Thorpe has more in this story. ... He also has his morning post with links. ... Despite a loss Saturday, the Cougars moved up a spot in these power rankings. ... The AP top 25 is even less meaningful than in the past, but it is fun to peek into the mind of a voter.
• Gonzaga: Jim Meehan returned to the blog yesterday for a day-after post from Saturday's rout. ... BYU is finally going to play a tough opponent, San Diego State, away from Provo. ... Maybe St. Mary's is going to be OK. The Gaels edged always-stout UC Irvine 72-69 last night at home.
• EWU: As we told you yesterday morning, the Eagles are the fourth seed in the NCAA FCS playoffs and will play a home game Dec. 6. Jim Allen has more in this story.
• Whitworth: The Pirates NCAA soccer run ended with a 3-2 defeat in Ohio.
• Chiefs: How much did the Chiefs win by last night in the Arena? One goal. That's the story of the season thus far. Chris Derrick explains in the game story from the 2-1 win over Kamloops and this blog post.
• Seahawks: It's funny. I read a lot of stories out of Seattle this morning and nowhere could I find Steven Hauschka's name. The guy hits four field goals and he's not even an afterthought. He's a no-thought. Just start missing them and we'll get to read his name, I guarantee it. He did not convert one attempt yesterday, though it was blocked. ... John Blanchette was in Seattle yesterday and he has this column centered round the touchy-feely nature of the win – the Hawks held a team meeting during the week and worked on trusting each other. ... Trust, and a unbreakable defense, can go a long way. Though, if I had to choose right now, I guess I would rather have the latter. The meeting was cited by many players, however, as playing a big part in their performance. ... If Seattle plays defense like this the rest of the season, it still has a shot at the playoffs. It takes trust, sure, but intensity and a healthy middle linebacker helps too. ... It wouldn't be a Seahawk game, or postgame, without some Marshawn Lynch byplay and drama. ... Really, Russell Wilson finally said the heck with it and took the Hawks down the field for a score basically by himself. ... Cooper Helfet helped too, with an acrobatic score (pictured) – and a big tackle earlier. ... The Arizona Cardinals didn't think they did anything well, which isn't good. Their quarterback's play wasn't good either. ... Arizona was missing its best offensive player, which had to help Seattle. ... Next up is the 49ers, a tough matchup for Seattle in the Bay Area recently.
• Sounders: The way the MLS' two-game series work, an away goal means more than a home goal. Which is why the Sounders' 1-0 loss yesterday in Los Angeles isn't all that good. ... They can still win the series, true, but they'll have to be perfect on defense as they will have to score two goals to offset any one the Galaxy (pictured) can produce. And they have to win. ... The teams meet next Sunday in CenturyLink and both feel they are in a good spot.
•••
• Another Monday morning. You know what's not fun? Starting the week feeling like, well, crud. But that's the case today. Maybe it's just a case of the Monday morning blues. Until later ...
