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Seahawks: All is lost, the end of an era

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:28 p.m. ET

Fansided, Nick Drage/FanSided via 12th Man Rising

The Seattle Seahawks are still in a position to make a Super Bowl run… Just don’t tell everyone on social media who are too busy freaking out.

Many Seahawks fans on social media have described last week’s loss against Green Bay as the end of an era, and there has been much weeping and gnashing of teeth. My fellow writers wrote up a similarly rapid but more considered response, and a more contemplative analysis.

Such consternation on social media is maybe a sign of how many new fans the Seahawks have gained over the last few years. The last time the Seahawks lost a game by 28 points was in November of 2010, and the last time they lost a game by more than 10 points was in October 2011.

In seeing a scoreline of 21-3 at half-time, fans would have expected Russell Wilson to suddenly transmogrify into his EA Sports Madden NFL equivalent, either building up to a close loss like last year’s playoff game against Carolina; or a miraculous win, as in the NFC Championship Game against Green Bay. But it wasn’t to be, the Seahawks lost the game, many say it’s the worst they’ve seen the team play in five years, and Seattle looks just like any other team.

I’d argue that this is the nature of the modern NFL, due to the salary cap, and the draft, among other factors – injuries for example. For one I prefer it – it makes for a more exciting game, and is a greater test of players and coaches and general managers.

And while the Seahawks don’t seem as dominant as when they are playing at their best this season, this certainly isn’t the end of an era… because there’s no contender to rise and take their place among the challengers in the NFC. None of those teams stand out:

Dallas Cowboys – they’re an impressive 11-2, and are all but guaranteed the number 1 spot in the NFC, but they’ve got questions that won’t go away at the QB position, have a “Bryant or Bust” receiving core, and generally looked unconvincing against the Giants last week, and similarly ropey against the Vikings the week before.

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) misses a pass while defended by Green Bay Packers cornerback LaDarius Gunter (36) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants – the much vaunted $200m defense appears to be coming through, but the offense is underwhelming. Their offense needs to do better at winning them games in order for their defense to win them championships.

Detroit Lions – second in the NFC with nine wins this season, which is particularly impressive as they’ve been trailing in the fourth quarter of twelve of their thirteen games so far. But that’s rather less impressive when you focus on the Lions being behind in eight of those victories, an NFL record in a single season. Great teams don’t make a habit of fourth quarter comebacks, great teams make a habit of working out their backups in the fourth quarter because they’re already three scores ahead.

Otherwise there’s Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Washington, Minnesota, and Green Bay, they’ve all exhibited flashes of brilliance so far this season, but none of them have shown they can consistently impress.

Is the Seahawks’ situation disappointing? Definitely. Does it seems that the Offensive Line has an issue with noisy crowds at other team’s stadiums? Probably. Is this the end of an era? No… the Seahawks haven’t looked as convincing this season as they have done before, but take heart that neither do any of their NFC contenders right now.

With the Rams, Cardinals, and then 49ers to come, the Seahawks should have eleven wins to take into the playoffs; with the Giants, Cowboys, and Packers to come, the Lions won’t. All is certainly not lost, this isn’t the end of an era, you can probably plan for the Seahawks to be resting through the first week of the playoffs, and then we’ll all see how far they can go.