Russell Wilson wasn’t cooking Thursday night, but he was simmering and that was good enough for the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson got himself back on track after an ugly two weeks, helping the Seahawks post an important 28-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The win boosted Seattle (7-3) back into first place in the NFC West and could be the beginning of another big run during the second half of the season for the Seahawks.
Wilson wasn’t spectacular, but he didn’t need to be. He was efficient against the Cardinals. He completed 23-of-28 passes for 197 yards with two touchdowns in the game. However, here’s the big statistic - no turnovers.
“Russ didn’t have to have a big game by throwing for 400 yards. He had a big night throwing for just under 200 yards,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll told reporters after the game. “The offense was efficient, with no turnovers.”
Wilson had committed seven turnovers (four interceptions, three lost fumbles) in his last two games, both losses. With those numbers as a backdrop, Wilson’s decision-making was far better against the Cardinals. He seemed more willing to run - 10 carries, 42 yards - and take what the defense gave him rather than trying to force passes that had resulted in turnovers.
“There’s always highs and lows and tough challenges, but I think great players always know one, how to be consistent and two, how to consistently adjust and how to consistently overcome,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “I know the kind of player that I am. I know what I’m capable of...just staying in attack mode. I’m never gonna doubt it and we let it rip. Just felt completely in control the whole game.”
Wilson was helped by the return of running back Carlos Hyde and an effective run game. Hyde ran 14 times for 79 yards and a touchdown and spearheaded the resurgent Seattle run game that produced 165 yards on the ground.
The Seahawks’ ability to run helped Wilson in a number of ways. The run game slowed down the Cardinals’ aggressive defense and gave Wilson a little more time to throw. The Seahawks’ play-action pass plays were more effective and Wilson seemed more calm in the pocket.
Wilson said the Seahawks can do great things when they have a balanced attack on offense.
“I think that we’re capable of anything all the time,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “Obviously, to not have our running backs and stuff like that, guys like Chris Carson and Carlos, some of the best in the league. They give us so much versatility. We want to be able to obviously throw it and do our things in the passing game but obviously to we want to be able to run it. We love running it...That controls the game.”
-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold