A complete team win

During the Holmgren Era, the Seahawks tended to come out rusty after a bye week. The Carroll regime seems to have made the most of the layoff.

Our offense, which had deteriorated steadily over the first four weeks of the season, appeared rejuvenated. Matt Hasselbeck attacked the Bears defense with surgical precision, completing passes to eight different receivers. He coped successfully with pressure from Chicago's vaunted pass rush, escaping several possible sacks by simply throwing the ball away.

Mike Williams had a career day, looking every bit like a first round pick and a legitimate starting NFL wideout.

Marshawn Lynch did not disappoint. He and Justin Forsett each have their own way of maximizing the limited running opportunities our offensive line offers: Forsett does so by being small and shifty, with great vision, while Lynch gets it done with sheer power, making his own daylight when necessary. Forsett, in fact, looks like potentially the biggest beneficiary of the Lynch acquisition. Lynch, the bread and butter, wears down the defense, setting up Forsett as the change-up and home run hitter.

The bye week appears to have helped our offensive line. They protected Hasselbeck well and created some running room for Lynch and Forsett.

Russell Okung played like a worthy heir to Walter Jones today. Julius Peppers lined up against him for most of the game, and the rookie left tackle handily nullified the All-Pro defensive end, who finished with just one tackle.

My favorite play of the game was Justin Forsett's 10-yard touchdown run. On that play, Okung fired out, found All-Pro Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher at the 5-yard line, and drove him back into the end zone, clearing the path to the promised land for Forsett.

The defensive coaches deserve a game ball. They dialed up blitz schemes that confused and defeated the Bears' O-Line. Evidently, Chicago's line coach--former Seahawk tight end Mike Tice--had no answer. Our pass rush Jay Cutler six times, including a strip sack in the end zone for a safety by Big Play Babs.

Even when Kelly Jennings exited the game with an injury, our young reserves in the defensive backfield filled his shoes and contained Chicago's passing attack.

There were a couple of concerns on special teams. Golden Tate had a terrible day as a punt returner, and we let Devin Hester score on a punt return.

But overall, it was our first complete win since the season opener in San Francisco, and all the more impressive because it came on the road in an early game against a tough team with a winning record. I don't remember the last time the Seahawks did that. Congratulations to Coach Carroll and the whole team.