Getting it together

Seattle stopped playing down to inferior opponents last week and put together a complete win over in Atlanta.

The patchwork offensive line--downright dreadful just a few weeks ago--crowned 3 weeks of steady improvement by dominating Falcons defenders, providing excellent pass protection and great run blocking. Center Lemuel Jeanpierre captained the unit credibly. O-Line Coach Tom Cable explored explored various combinations at guard and tackle to capitalize on the talents of rookies Alvin Bailey and Michael Bowie, still-raw prospects James Carpenter and JR Sweezy, and wily veteran Paul McQuistan, The younglings have played so well that the Seahawks can afford to limit the snaps of the starting linemen returning from injury today (center Max Unger and tackles Breno Giacomini and Russell Okung).

Marshawn Lynch busted out in full-throttle Beast Mode, barreling through Falcons defenders for a season-high 145 rushing yards, and deploying the meanest unflagged stiffarm facemask in NFL history. (Atlanta safety William Moore's neck must still hurt.)

Russell Wilson played an almost flawless game, allowing three wideouts to post numbers worthy of NFL starters (Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Golden Tate). Apparently, our receiving corps can cope without Sidney Rice. It's almost unfair that Percy Harvin makes his debut today further to fortify the unit.

After ignominiously getting gouged on the ground for more than 200 yards by St. Louis and Tampa Bay, the Seattle D finally figured out how to stuff the run, holding Atlanta to just 64 rushing yards. After letting backup quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Mike Glennon move the ball at will, the Seahawks stuck Matty Ice in the deep freeze, holding Ryan--a two-time Pro Bowler--to only 172 passing yards.

While the Seahawks got it together and rose to 9-1, our strongest conference rivals continued to falter. New Orleans fell to 7-2 and San Francisco dropped to 6-3. Seattle just needs to keep winning to claim home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Vikings are winless on the road this season (0-4), so today's contest poses another test of character for Seattle: when faced with inferior competition, will we play down to their level, or dominate like the elite team we're supposed to be?

Minnesota is far from toothless. Our unreliable run defense must shut down Adrian Peterson, one of the greatest running backs in the history of the game, who shredded Seahawks defenders for 187 yards on the ground in Seattle last year. AP is running behind a less capable line this year, and it doesn't matter much who plays quarterback for the Vikings. A healthy Christian Ponder is probably marginally better than Matt Cassell, but Josh Freeman doesn't look capable of playing like Josh Freeman anymore.

Although their defense as a whole is statistically unimpressive, except in their generosity, the Vikings continue to field a frightening D-line including sackmasters Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. This is a matter of serious concern for a Seattle team that struggles to protect its quarterback.

Finally, the Vikings have great kick and punt return teams, so our coverage units will need to step it up.

Go, Hawks!