The Seattle Seahawks are becoming a big problem at just the right time
Don't sleep on the Seahawks.
This is the online version of our morning newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning.
Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks did a little bit of everything in Monday night’s win over the Minnesota Vikings and in doing so they showed once again that as this season grows shorter they very well could be the team to beat not only in the NFC but are serious contenders for another Super Bowl title.
Because they sure look to have everything necessary to win when things get really serious starting next month.
San Francisco and New Orleans have seemingly been the front-runners in the NFC for most of the season, just look at how last Sunday’s 49ers-Ravens game was billed by many as being a Super Bowl preview. The Saints host the 49ers next Sunday, which will help the NFC West-leading Seahawks either way that one plays out.
While Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes get a lot of pub for the stuff they do each week, relatively old-man Wilson is once again proving to be more than worthy of winning his first MVP award, though Jackson could have that locked up already. The former Super Bowl champ, who once came a few yards away from being a two-time champ, threw two TDs against the Vikings and was in complete control for most of the night. Those young QBs are great, but Wilson’s experience in this time of year is priceless.
So here are the Seahawks now sitting at 10-2 with a win on the road over the 49ers in their back pocket. Another win over their rival in the season finale should be what it takes to lock the Seahawks in as No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which would force at least one NFC team to try to win a playoff game in Seattle.
Oh, and the Seahawks, winners of five straight, haven’t lost a game on the road this season, too, which is pretty bonkers and should have them feeling confident if they have to pack their bags and jump on a flight for a game in the postseason.
On Monday night Seattle fell behind early thanks to a weird pick-six by Wilson. Then they jumped out to a big lead in the second and were finally able to hold off a late rally thanks to some big defensive stops and a forced fumble on a kick return in the final seconds. They also ran all over the Vikings, which was impressive.
Pete Carroll had some fun Monday night, too, as he called for a perfect fake punt in the fourth quarter that almost put things away for the Seahawks.
Carroll and Wilson have been here before and now they are rolling.
They’re also back to being able to do whatever it takes to just get a W.
Which isn’t good news for the rest of the NFC.
Monday’s biggest winner: Not Peloton!
That awful Peloton ad that you saw a million times over the weekend went viral on Monday for being so creepy and bad. Our Hemal Jhaveri did a hilarious job of breaking it all down and explaining why the woman in the ad needs some serious help!
Quick hits: Bart Scott’s bad gaffe… Bring back the SuperSonics!… And more!
– Bart Scott made a really bad mistake while talking about the Patriots and fans roasted him for it.
– ESPN using Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton for the intro to the last night’s MNF game was so darn great.
– A fake Twitter account turned the college football world on its head for a little bit on Monday.
– Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore was seen fist-bumping a ref before Sunday night’s game and fans had questions.
(Follow me on Twitter at @anezbitt. It might change your life. Just don’t tell me about your fantasy team.)