Russell Wilson is a few days away from playing his 51st game as a Seattle Seahawk. As a region, have we taken the time to appreciate the previous 50 game days with Russell Wilson as our starting quarterback?
Older fans will remember the high-flying underdog days of 70s Jim Zorn or 80s Dave Kreig. My personal recollection begins with the drearier Rick Mier, rotating Gelbaugh/McGwire/Friesz 90s followed by the hired gun services of Warren Moon, Trent Dilfer or Jon Kitna years.
As decent-to-great as Matt Hasselbeck was through the Holmgren era 2001-08, the Mora year and into the first Pete Carroll season in 2010, he was never the darling of Seattle, the heart of a team, a national superstar like Russell Wilson. He would not have been in 2 out of every 5 national commercials like Russell is this year.
As decent-to-great as Matt Hasselbeck was through the Holmgren era 2001-08, the Mora year and into the first Pete Carroll season in 2010, he was never the darling of Seattle, the heart of a team, a national superstar like Russell Wilson. He would not have been in 2 out of every 5 national commercials like Russell is this year.
The Russell Wilson era has brought a national spotlight unprecedented in Seahawk History. Even the 2005 team that was 3 or 4 penalties from a Super Bowl earned barely a passing mention in the media during fat Jerome Bettis' storybook ending. Wilson's arrival has coincided perfectly with the rise of The Legion Of Boom, the prime of Marshawn Lynch, and the new Nike uniforms for a perfect storm of national prominence.
Wilson has been so unique, so different, dynamic and exciting. Across the league, the searches have commenced for the next short, smart, hard working athletic QB but there isn't another Russell, he breaks the mold.
Wilson has been so unique, so different, dynamic and exciting. Across the league, the searches have commenced for the next short, smart, hard working athletic QB but there isn't another Russell, he breaks the mold.
And so, a day before our 51st gameday with him, let us take a moment to reflect on the previous 50 days we lined up with Russell Wilson as our starting quarterback. We have witnessed 10,300 passing yards, 1,934 rushing yards, 75 passing TDs, 11 rushing TDs, only 25 interceptions on 1,254 attempts and an impressive overall record of 37-13.
The Beginning.
9/9/12 @ Arizona. We officially meet our short little 3rd round pick who beat out 2011 starter Tavaris Jackson and big name free agent Matt Flynn for the opening day start. The game was conservative but Russell drove us down at the end of the game with a chance to win in the red zone that ultimately came up short. This would prove to be an uncommon site.
9/16/12 vs Dallas. In Russell's first home game, the Seahawks handled Dallas at home. While the Seahawks were nowhere near a powerhouse yet, the game was defined by 90 and 87 yard touchdown drives in the 2nd half. A kind of confidant, consistent football feeling not felt in Seattle since the glory Alexander/Jones/Hutchinson years.
9/24/12 vs Green Bay. The Prime Time Monday Night Game most famous for the Fail Mary and for the beheadings of the replacement referees. Lost in the chaos was Seattle's first defensive powerhouse performance and Russell's great play to drive the field, elude a sure sack and throw the Infamous Golden Tate TD in the first place.
The Star Turn.
10/14/12 vs New England. And on the 6th day, there was light. With Tom Brady on his way to 395 yards, the Seahawks were forced to spread the formations and let Russell loose for the first time. He responded with 293 yards, 3 TDs and 0 Ints (compared to Brady's crucial 2). With 1:27 left in the game, Wilson hit the game-winning 46 yard Sidney Rice post route.
12/2/12 @ Chicago. This is the game that most fans point to as the first time they accepted Russell Wilson as their savior. At 6-5, there were no guarantees for the underdog Seahawks with a short rookie QB. With 3:40 remaining and down by 4 points, Wilson led a drive 97 yards to the end zone. He completed 6 of 8, rushed for 19 yards and hit Tate for the go-ahead TD with 32 seconds remaining. The twist? Seattle's defense gave way and allowed a field goal to send the game to OT. All Wilson did was do it it again. Wilson & the offesne, drove another 90 yards. Wilson rushed to convert a few 3rd downs and completed another game-winning TD to Sidney Rice.
12/16/12 @ Buffalo. In the awkward, dead air of a Toronto stadium, Russell Wilson showed off his wheels. He ran 9 times for 92 yards and 3 TDs, added another TD and 205 yards passing as the Hawks blew out the Bills.
12/23/12 vs San Francisco. A prime time to shine, Sunday Night Football in the heating Sea/Sf rivalry. Wilson was just one of the many Seahawk bright spots going 15 for 21 with 4 TDs as Seattle decimated the eventual Super Bowl losers 42-13.
The Chained.
9/30/12 @ St. Louis.
10/7/12 @ Carolina.
10/18/12 @ San Francisco.
10/28/12 @ Detroit.
11/25/12@ Miami.
12/30/12 vs St. Louis.
During the bulk of his rookie year, Wilson was efficient in what he was asked to do and turned the ball over only 10 times. Pete Carroll and the coaching staff kept things conservative. We threw the ball less than any other team in the league. The Seahawks were #32 in the NFL in passing attempts at 25.9 attempts per game compared to the NFL average of 35.4 attempts per game. We relied on Marshawn Lynch and a talented defense that admittedly was still trying to find consistency. Sometimes it paid off with hard wins in Carolina and at home vs St. Louis to end the year. Sometimes it wasn't enough in the tough road losses at San Francisco, Detroit, St. Louis and Miami.
10/7/12 @ Carolina.
10/18/12 @ San Francisco.
10/28/12 @ Detroit.
11/25/12@ Miami.
12/30/12 vs St. Louis.
During the bulk of his rookie year, Wilson was efficient in what he was asked to do and turned the ball over only 10 times. Pete Carroll and the coaching staff kept things conservative. We threw the ball less than any other team in the league. The Seahawks were #32 in the NFL in passing attempts at 25.9 attempts per game compared to the NFL average of 35.4 attempts per game. We relied on Marshawn Lynch and a talented defense that admittedly was still trying to find consistency. Sometimes it paid off with hard wins in Carolina and at home vs St. Louis to end the year. Sometimes it wasn't enough in the tough road losses at San Francisco, Detroit, St. Louis and Miami.
11/4/12 vs Minnesota.
11/11/12 vs NyJets.
12/9/12 vs Arizona.
Then there were the days where rookie Wilson was hardly needed. The Seahawks defense and running game was so red hot late in the 2012 season as to relegate Wilson to the sideline by the 4th quarter, watching from the sideline as the backups killed the clock on the blowouts.
11/11/12 vs NyJets.
12/9/12 vs Arizona.
Then there were the days where rookie Wilson was hardly needed. The Seahawks defense and running game was so red hot late in the 2012 season as to relegate Wilson to the sideline by the 4th quarter, watching from the sideline as the backups killed the clock on the blowouts.
The Unchained.
1/6/13 @ Washington.
1/13/13 @ Atlanta.
When the blowouts ceased and the playoff pressure was placed on the young Wilson, he responded with two convincing, nearly legendary comebacks. Down 14-0 early in the Washington game, the burden was on Wilson to continually drive the field and register his first playoff victory. Then, down 20-0 at halftime in Atlanta, Wilson did exactly what the traditional pundits had specifically said he could not do; play from behind and play catch up with his arm. Wilson led 4 touchdown drives in the 2nd half and racked up a career high 385 yards. Only to be overshadowed in the end by every Seattle fans' least favorite 31 seconds.
1/13/13 @ Atlanta.
When the blowouts ceased and the playoff pressure was placed on the young Wilson, he responded with two convincing, nearly legendary comebacks. Down 14-0 early in the Washington game, the burden was on Wilson to continually drive the field and register his first playoff victory. Then, down 20-0 at halftime in Atlanta, Wilson did exactly what the traditional pundits had specifically said he could not do; play from behind and play catch up with his arm. Wilson led 4 touchdown drives in the 2nd half and racked up a career high 385 yards. Only to be overshadowed in the end by every Seattle fans' least favorite 31 seconds.
As he was walking off the field in Atlanta, Wilson said he was already excited about next year's team. That excitement has certainly proven warranted. The 2013-14 Seahawks have been among the elite teams of the NFL and Russell has been their QB every gameday, looking to go "1-0 this week, because every week is a championship week".
The Headliners.
9/8/13 @ Carolina. In the 2013 season opener, what would soon be revealed as the formidable Carolina front 7 stifled Marshawn and the running game. In a defensive struggle, the game was on put on Wilson's arm and he came through with 320 yards and the game winning TD.
9/29/12 @ Houston. J.J Watt and his bloodied nose kept Wilson in check for most of the game while Arian Foster dominated the game for the Texans. Fortunes turned, assisted by a Richard Sherman pick-6, the game was put on Wilson's legs and he came through with 75 rushing yards in the 4th quarter and OT alone and set up the game winning FG.
10/17/13 @ Arizona. In case any one thought Russell was just a running QB who only excels at home, Russell delivered a Thursday Night masterpiece in Arizona, 18 for 26 and 235 yards with 3 TDs and 0 INTs.
12/2/13 vs New Orleans. ESPN was shell-shocked when Russell and the Seahawks D spoiled their 'Game Of The Year' against the Saints on national TV with another 3 TD, 300 yard game and slew of clutch runs. If there was any time Russell's name was floated into the MVP conversation it was after this game.
9/21/14 vs Denver. In what would have been a much more thrilling Super Bowl, Peyton Manning tied the game at the end of regulation with a whirlwind drive for a touchdown. The Seahawks won the coin toss to start overtime, and Wilson led a downright cold-blooded, 13-play drive to the end zone, nullifying Denver's redemption storyline.
10/6/14 @ Washington. The Seahawks had a lackluster middle of this 2014 season but on Monday Night Football in Week 5, the game was won by Russell Wilson. He was the difference in the game, accounting for the bulk of the first downs, 201 yards in the air, and 122 yards on the ground.
10/19/14 @ St.Louis. The Rams and their bag of tricks took this game in the end but Russell's 300 yard passing, 100 yard rushing performance is the ONLY such performance in NFL History.
The Duds.
10/28/13 @ St. Louis. It was a different story in St. Louis, 51 weeks earlier. Though the patchwork offensive line and Rams D-line surely deserves a share of the blame/credit on this day, Russell was unable to move the ball at all except for one great Golden Tate play. The defense truly bailed him out and saved this 14-9 win.
12/22/13 vs Arizona. The Seahawks won 14 straight home games with Russell as QB until this day. While it can be argued Arizona QB Carson Palmer had the worse day (4 interceptions), Russell was still on the losing end and did nothing to inspire confidence in the passing game, going 11 for 27 and barely managing 100 yards.
11/2/14 vs Oakland. Never has Russell looked worse. Some throws were incredibly inaccurate and some of the decision making was uncharacteristically poor. What happened on this particular day is a mystery, even Russell said "I just didn't think I played well for whatever reason, and I usually know why". In typical Raiders fashion, they still lost this game.
11/16/14 @ Kansas City. In this recent game, Jamaal Charles ran all over the defense. Lost in that headline was the fact that Russell and the offense had three legitimate opportunities to drive the field and win the game, and failed all 3 times.
Duds aside, the real genius to this list is the sheer amount of decent Wilson performances about to follow. Wilson has had a few headliners and a few duds, all QBs do. Not many have the steady resume Wilson has. At times he has lacked weapons on the outside, and sometimes Marshawn & the Defense have been so good he hasn't had to do as much but the true greatness of Russell Wilson is his consistency as...
The Juggernaut Manager.
9/2/13 vs San Francisco.
9/4/14 vs Green Bay.
When Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and the defense showcase their dominance in prime time, Russell remains the calm, steady hand that keeps the chains moving on the other side. It must be maddeningly frustrating as an opposing fan in a big game, with the Seahawk defense crunching down, to see Russell miraculously escape the pass rush into wide open turf or whirling to his left, hitting receivers down field to give those crucial sparks and back breaking 3rd down conversions, all the while making very few mistakes.
11/23/14 vs Arizona.
11/27/4 @ San Francisco.
12/07/14 @ Philadelphia.
The same formula applies to the three most recent games. The symbiotic relationship between the returning elite Seahawks defense and Wilson's improvisation brought the Seahawks from 6-4 on the fringe of playoff contention to 9-4 and a game behind a limping Arizona for another division win.
9/4/14 vs Green Bay.
When Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and the defense showcase their dominance in prime time, Russell remains the calm, steady hand that keeps the chains moving on the other side. It must be maddeningly frustrating as an opposing fan in a big game, with the Seahawk defense crunching down, to see Russell miraculously escape the pass rush into wide open turf or whirling to his left, hitting receivers down field to give those crucial sparks and back breaking 3rd down conversions, all the while making very few mistakes.
11/23/14 vs Arizona.
11/27/4 @ San Francisco.
12/07/14 @ Philadelphia.
The same formula applies to the three most recent games. The symbiotic relationship between the returning elite Seahawks defense and Wilson's improvisation brought the Seahawks from 6-4 on the fringe of playoff contention to 9-4 and a game behind a limping Arizona for another division win.
9/22/13 vs Jacksonville.
11/10/13 @ Atlanta.
11/17/13 vs Minnesota.
12/15/13 @ NyGiants.
12/29/13 vs St. Louis.
Wilson ran right with the 2013 Seahawk pack as they decimated lesser teams on their way to the #1 seed in the NFC. Wilson's stat lines in these drubbings; 76 for 113, 1,027 yards, 10 TDs and only 2 INTs.
11/10/13 @ Atlanta.
11/17/13 vs Minnesota.
12/15/13 @ NyGiants.
12/29/13 vs St. Louis.
Wilson ran right with the 2013 Seahawk pack as they decimated lesser teams on their way to the #1 seed in the NFC. Wilson's stat lines in these drubbings; 76 for 113, 1,027 yards, 10 TDs and only 2 INTs.
10/6/13 @ Indianapolis.
12/8/13 @ San Francisco.
9/14/14 @ San Diego.
10/12/14 vs Dallas.
The other guys get paid too. It's just the truth. Wilson played well in these games, the defense wasn't atrocious. Sometimes the other team just comes up big; Andrew Luck and T.Y Hilton's deep bombs for the Colts, Frank Gore's gut-punching 51 yard run, Phillip Rivers' efficient day for San Diego and Demarco Murray's 4th quarter clinic for Dallas just plain beat the Seahawks. The NFL a is a tough league. All four of these days, Russell had the team within reach of a win, but you can't go 16-0 every year.
12/8/13 @ San Francisco.
9/14/14 @ San Diego.
10/12/14 vs Dallas.
The other guys get paid too. It's just the truth. Wilson played well in these games, the defense wasn't atrocious. Sometimes the other team just comes up big; Andrew Luck and T.Y Hilton's deep bombs for the Colts, Frank Gore's gut-punching 51 yard run, Phillip Rivers' efficient day for San Diego and Demarco Murray's 4th quarter clinic for Dallas just plain beat the Seahawks. The NFL a is a tough league. All four of these days, Russell had the team within reach of a win, but you can't go 16-0 every year.
10/13/13 Tennessee.
11/3/13 Tampa Bay.
10/26/14 @ Carolina.
11/9/14 vs NyGiants.
The ugly wins, the Russell Wilson specials, whether they are coming back on the 0-8 Bucs after being down 21 or are grinding out games until separating in the 4th quarter. The defense's relationship of 60 minute violence and the steady consistency of Wilson's decision making has been a wining combination. Russell Wilson may not break the eyeballs on the stat sheet, but he is the Quarterback of a team that has won a lot of games.
11/3/13 Tampa Bay.
10/26/14 @ Carolina.
11/9/14 vs NyGiants.
The ugly wins, the Russell Wilson specials, whether they are coming back on the 0-8 Bucs after being down 21 or are grinding out games until separating in the 4th quarter. The defense's relationship of 60 minute violence and the steady consistency of Wilson's decision making has been a wining combination. Russell Wilson may not break the eyeballs on the stat sheet, but he is the Quarterback of a team that has won a lot of games.
The Super Bowl Run.
1/11/14 vs New Orleans. Wilson didn't have a great statistical day (9/18 with 103 yards) but yet again he didn't need to. Wilson's contribution as a running threat and safe decision maker kept the Saints off balance and Marshawn's 140 yard, 2 TD day did the rest. There was little urgency on offense as the offensive star power of the 'Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles Saints' were shut out through 3 quarters and desperately clawed back to a 23-15 loss.
1/19/14 vs San Francisco. In the classic NFC Championship, Wilson and the Seahawks met their toughest foe of the 50 games documented here. On this day, the 49ers were a freight train powerhouse on a hot streak at the right time, and they undoubtedly had vengeance on their mind. Russell fumbled the first play of the game but redeemed himself with a mistake-free remainder of the game and the famous 4th-and-7 Touchdown to Jermaine Kearse.
2/2/14 vs Denver. Wilson's Super Bowl performance is under-appreciated. The trials and failures around Peyton Manning (in-arguably one of the greatest QBs of all time) and the domination of Seattle's defense (in-arguably one of the greatest defensive performances of all time) rightfully held the headlines. However, Wilson was rock-solid, converting 3rd downs in the 1st quarter and driving the 43-8 dagger in further with touchdowns in the 2nd half, Wilson was 18 for 25, 206 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs and will forever be the first Seattle Seahawk Quarterback of a Super Bowl Champion.
1/11/14 vs New Orleans. Wilson didn't have a great statistical day (9/18 with 103 yards) but yet again he didn't need to. Wilson's contribution as a running threat and safe decision maker kept the Saints off balance and Marshawn's 140 yard, 2 TD day did the rest. There was little urgency on offense as the offensive star power of the 'Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles Saints' were shut out through 3 quarters and desperately clawed back to a 23-15 loss.
1/19/14 vs San Francisco. In the classic NFC Championship, Wilson and the Seahawks met their toughest foe of the 50 games documented here. On this day, the 49ers were a freight train powerhouse on a hot streak at the right time, and they undoubtedly had vengeance on their mind. Russell fumbled the first play of the game but redeemed himself with a mistake-free remainder of the game and the famous 4th-and-7 Touchdown to Jermaine Kearse.
2/2/14 vs Denver. Wilson's Super Bowl performance is under-appreciated. The trials and failures around Peyton Manning (in-arguably one of the greatest QBs of all time) and the domination of Seattle's defense (in-arguably one of the greatest defensive performances of all time) rightfully held the headlines. However, Wilson was rock-solid, converting 3rd downs in the 1st quarter and driving the 43-8 dagger in further with touchdowns in the 2nd half, Wilson was 18 for 25, 206 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs and will forever be the first Seattle Seahawk Quarterback of a Super Bowl Champion.
