The St. Louis Rams couldn't run the ball, and their quarterback carousel fed journeyman Shaun Hill to the league's top defense, which intercepted two passes and held him to a 65.5 rating. Yet the Rams were in position to sweep the season series against the Seahawks until two fourth-quarter touchdowns propelled Seattle to victory and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
"We (are) back to back division champs, and that’s pretty rare," said Seattle head coach Pete Carroll. "I’m really proud of that."
A Victory Would Set the Seahawks Up Nicely
The Seahawks had plenty to play for: an NFC West title, a first-round bye, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. They also had the emotional edge, seeking to avenge an earlier 28-26 loss to the Rams. Playing in front of a raucous CenturyLink Field crowd, an easy win over a sub-.500 team without its starting quarterback appeared to be in the offing.
Of course, this was an NFC West clash between two arch rivals. Nothing is ever easy inside the league's toughest division.
"If you’re not playoff ready after that run of these last bunch of games," pointed out Carroll, with a trace of relief, "nothing can get you ready."
The Rams Scored First
Predictably, the game began as a defensive struggle. Both teams had difficulty moving the ball, with St. Louis gaining 48 yards on 17 first quarter plays and Seattle generating just 37 on 12 plays from scrimmage. “They’re really good, really good," said Carroll, in reference to the Rams' defense. "These guys had back to back shutouts just a month ago."
The only score was a 33-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein, putting the Rams on top 3-0.
St. Louis Ended the First Half with the Lead
The chess match between the defenses continued into the second quarter. Rams cornerback Marcus Roberson intercepted an errant Russell Wilson pass at the 22 yard line and returned it to the 40, setting up St. Louis with excellent field position. The Rams were unable to capitalize, however, and punted five plays later.
The favorable exchange of field position proved to be significant. After being pinned down at their own 13 following the punt, Seattle turned the ball over two plays later. Marshawn Lynch (14 carries, 60 yards) caught a swing pass from Russell Wilson (17/25, 239 yards, 1 interception), eluded several tacklers, and then lost the ball after a 12-yard gain due to the efforts of linebacker Alec Ogletree, who dislodged it just before Lynch hit the ground.
After the ensuring Rams drive was stymied, Zuerlein split the uprights on a 52-yard field goal try, putting the Rams up 6-0 after 30 minutes of play. Seattle was held scoreless in the first half for the first time since 2011.
"We kept calm the whole time," explained Seahawks guard J.R Sweezy. "We knew things weren’t going exactly our way. We made some corrections at half time and we came out and played our style of football.”
Seattle Knotted up the Game in the Third Quarter
The Seahawks have been a second half team all year long, and the season finale against the Rams was no exception.
Following several key adjustments, Seattle took the ball to open the second half and drove 56 yards on eight plays, highlighted by an acrobatic Paul Richardson grab of a 32-yard Wilson pass down the left sideline. The drive stalled three plays later, but Steven Hauschka — who missed three field goals the week before — kicked one from 42 yards, putting the Seahawks on the board. "He came through and banged the heck out of the football today," beamed Carroll. "It was great.”
On the Seahawks' very next possession, Hauschka kicked his second field goal of the game, tying the score at 6-6 as the fourth quarter began.
The Seahawks Scored their First Touchdown
The very first play of the fourth quarter was pivotal for Seattle. With the Rams driving and at the Seahawks 34 yard line, Shaun Hill (26/37 243, two interceptions) tried to throw the ball away in the face of a hard-charging Seattle pass rush. Instead, he tossed it too close to backup defensive tackle Jordan Hill, who made a shoestring interception and returned it eight yards to the Seattle 46.
“I guess that’s one of the turning points," said cornerback Richard Sherman.
The Seahawks capitalized on their next drive. Flexing their depth, little-used wide receiver Kevin Norwood checked into the game and in a defensive breakdown, was left wide open on a flat patter to the left. Wilson delivered the ball to Norwood, who scampered for a 31-yard gain, taking the ball all the way down to the nine yard line. One play later, Marshawn Lynch waltzed into the end zone, putting Seattle on top 13-6.
Seattle Closed out the Game in Grand Fashion
With the game momentum now firmly on their side, two key plays iced the game for the Seahawks.
The first was by linebacker Bruce Irvin, who intercepted a Hill pass at the St. Louis 49 and flashed down the sideline for the pick-six, increasing the lead to 20-7. “I was just opportunistic," explained Irvin. "When the opportunity presented itself, I just made the best of it. Bobby Wagner made a great play of stripping it — like I said, ‘Ain’t no fun if the homies can’t get none baby.’ Wags [Bobby Wagner] stripped it to me and I just took it on home.”
The second was arguably the play of the game. At the tail end of a desperate 74-yard Rams drive and the goal line one yard away, Earl Thomas punched the ball out of wide receiver Benny Cunningham's hands. The ball squirted into and out of the end zone, resulting in a turnover for St. Louis and touchback for Seattle with six minutes left to play. “That play was colossal," raved Sherman. "Use that, it was a colossal play. Not that it would’ve have determined the game. But it just shows who he is as a person and as a player, his effort, his unwavering commitment, his unwavering effort on every play for that last inch, till there is only an inch left. I think that’s why he’s one of the best players in the league. I think he’s the best safety in the league, hands down, going away."
As the final horn sounded on the 2014 regular season, Seattle had won the game 20-6 and set themselves up perfectly for the postseason.
What's Next?
The Seahawks certainly will benefit from the bye week, as linebacker K.J. Wright dislocated a finger, defensive tackle Jordan Hill sprained his knee, and strong safety Jeron Johnson dislocated his elbow. All have a chance to return by the time the second round of the playoffs begins.
Once again, depth and defense will be key for Seattle as they seek to defend their title. Although Lynch was held relatively in check in the season finale, backup Robert Turbin ran for 53 yards, and the league's top-ranked rushing team ended the game with 132 on the ground. Rookies Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood combined for 10 catches and 94 yards, and when K.J. Wright went down with his injury, Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith subbed in admirably.
Seattle's depth, along with the defense holding opponents to a combined 39 points over the final six games, should bode well for the playoffs. The Seahawks (12-4) will play either Detroit, Arizona or Carolina at CenturyLink Field on Saturday, January 10th.