Final exam / rams

[Hawktawk]

I’m not optimistic about Detroit being able to be a help . They are better then people think though . But first Seattle has to take care of business and these are the types of games we’ve lost some of this year . There’s lots of guys on both teams playing for next year . Mayfield is #1 . And he’s capable of looking like he’s never played the game then turning around and putting up 350 with 4 touchdowns . Streakiest qb ever . We’ve been better defensively . K 9 is coming alive again . Geno needs to cross the T and dot the I on the best comeback story in a long time . I’ve heard people say the seasons a great success win or lose . I disagree . When you’re 6-3 you must at least be we 9-8 and lt the chips fall . 8-9 is a bad year now .

I can’t escape a gnawing fear we figure out how to lose the game or get worked over by a flag late because we didn’t salt it away . We should beat this team handily . Say 27-13. Not sure we will . Let’s see

[Stream Hawk]

I think we romp the Rams. McVay might be stepping aside; this team is done. Our offense should roll. Expect a gem from K9 especially. I don’t have any faith in our D.

Something like 34-18 sounds reasonable.

[RiverDog]

I think we romp the Rams. McVay might be stepping aside; this team is done. Our offense should roll. Expect a gem from K9 especially. I don’t have any faith in our D.

Something like 34-18 sounds reasonable.

Yeah, something like that. We beat the Rams but the Packers beat the Lions.

[Aseahawkfan]

McVay wants to go out a winner if this his swan song. He's going to do all types of tricky plays as he has nothing to lose pulling everything out of the bag. A big old screw you to the Rams.

We may win because we have more talent, but I expect McVay to have them ramped up to play. Baker is auditioning for a new job. Wagner is playing for pride. I think the Rams are going to be hyped up to ruin our day.

I think it will be a tougher game than expected. We should still win though. It will come down to how well Baker plays and how amped up Bobby can get the Ram's defense.

[Hawktawk]

McVay wants to go out a winner if this his swan song. He's going to do all types of tricky plays as he has nothing to lose pulling everything out of the bag. A big old screw you to the Rams.

We may win because we have more talent, but I expect McVay to have them ramped up to play. Baker is auditioning for a new job. Wagner is playing for pride. I think the Rams are going to be hyped up to ruin our day.

I think it will be a tougher game than expected. We should still win though. It will come down to how well Baker plays and how amped up Bobby can get the Ram's defense.

Exactly Asea : I see a tougher game . Let’s see/ hopefully we’re partying by halftime

[RiverDog]

McVay wants to go out a winner if this his swan song. He's going to do all types of tricky plays as he has nothing to lose pulling everything out of the bag. A big old screw you to the Rams.

We may win because we have more talent, but I expect McVay to have them ramped up to play. Baker is auditioning for a new job. Wagner is playing for pride. I think the Rams are going to be hyped up to ruin our day.

I think it will be a tougher game than expected. We should still win though. It will come down to how well Baker plays and how amped up Bobby can get the Ram's defense.

If McVay wants to go out a winner, then this won't be his swan song as he'll have to coach at least another year to wipe out that bitter taste. Who wants to be remembered as coaching the team with the worst post Lombardi collapse ever?

This should be a two touchdown win, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm going to say 34-20 Hawks.

[NorthHawk]

I think it will be 28-10 for Seattle.

[obiken]

If McVay wants to go out a winner, then this won't be his swan song as he'll have to coach at least another year to wipe out that bitter taste. Who wants to be remembered as coaching the team with the worst post Lombardi collapse ever?
This should be a two touchdown win, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm going to say 34-20 Hawks.

All the experts say Rams Rivey. Walker is wounded, our defense is mutt food, Brooks is out, and the Raw history of the Rams beating Seattle. Yeah I agree we should, but.......

[Stream Hawk]

Walker wounded? He’s had back to back 100 yd games and looked like dynamite last weekend. Also what experts are taking Rams?

We got this; Lions not so much.

[Hawktawk]

I’m as confident in the Lions as Seattle . They are 7-2 last 9 . In his last 8 starts Jarred Goff has 15 TD passes and NO interceptions . Maybe McVeigh wasn’t so smart giving up on him . They picked Rodgers 3 times last game . He’s reportedly been running his mouth , talking like a victory is a foregone conclusion . Detroit is fired up
. And a winning record is on the line .
Let’s see . As KJ said see how it’s called too. Might be a non factor . We will watch what we watch .


We gotta take care of our own business . I’m wary . Always am. We need to get up early and punish these guys . Let them hang around or get a lead it’s gonna go badly .

[curmudgeon]

Rams win making tonight’s finale must see TV…….

[Stream Hawk]

Well, I sure miss judged this one. We do not deserve playoffs. Geno looking like 2013 Jets Geno.

[Aseahawkfan]

We'll see how Seattle adjusts, but I knew the Rams intended to play us hard and McVay if this is his final game wants to go out on a win against us spitting in our frosted flakes as he moves on. It's been a quieter rivalry than Frisco, but Pete vs. McVay definitely brings out McVay's extra effort.

[trents]

In the last several games, the INT's are catching up with Geno. As careful with the ball as he was early in the season he seems to be reverting to old bad habits.

[Aseahawkfan]

In the last several games, the INT's are catching up with Geno. As careful with the ball as he was early in the season he seems to be reverting to old bad habits.

People want Geno to win. You gotta throw to win when playing from behind. You can only be super careful if you're ahead and your defense is good. Once your behind and the clock is winding down, you gotta start throwing. That's why Pete's football style requires a very good defense. This isn't that defense. Until it gets built, careful ball doesn't work that great, especially as the clock keeps ticking when you're behind.

I'm surprised we're not running more. Run game is getting 4 yards a carry.

But the real culprit once again shows its head: our run defense. We're getting ground down and gouged because our D-line isn't good enough to stop the run forcing team's to pass more and getting off the field.

I hope no one is continuing to say we have enough talent on defense. They're flat out wrong. We haven't had a quality D-line since Bennett and Avril were playing together. Until that is fixed, getting run over and gouged by even middling teams is how our defense is going to be. That don't work for Pete's football philosophy.

If John and Pete aren't all in to fix the D-line this offseason, they aren't going to be here much longer.

[Old but Slow]

Hard to put it all on the defense when they have allowed only 16 points. The offense looks awful.

[trents]

People want Geno to win. You gotta throw to win when playing from behind. You can only be super careful if you're ahead and your defense is good. Once your behind and the clock is winding down, you gotta start throwing. That's why Pete's football style requires a very good defense. This isn't that defense. Until it gets built, careful ball doesn't work that great, especially as the clock keeps ticking when you're behind.

I don't buy that explanation. The season started out with several losses and Geno wasn't throwing picks then. And that was followed by a short-loved winning streak where Geno was still being careful with the ball. Getting careless with the ball is not a winning formula.

[Aseahawkfan]

I don't buy that explanation. The season started out with several losses and Geno wasn't throwing picks then. And that was followed by a short-loved winning streak where Geno was still being careful with the ball. Getting careless with the ball is not a winning formula.

What's your explanation? Geno started to suck? Or play closer to his mean?

[trents]

Metcalf staged another disappearing act today. IMO he has not lived up to all the hype surrounding his signing. And I'm fed up with his immature temper tantrums. Give me Lockett any day.

[RiverDog]

Well, it was ugly, but a win is a win. Both QB's played like crap. Defense looked great. Walker is a stud, but needs to learn how to run in short yardage. Now, if the Lions beat the Packers, we'll make the playoffs. Pretty amazing considering the expectations.

And Hawktawk, I don't want to hear anymore whining about the officiating being biased against us. We had countless breaks during that game, the most egregious of which was the running into the punter penalty.

[Aseahawkfan]

Hard to put it all on the defense when they have allowed only 16 points. The offense looks awful.

I don't look at teams by one game. Defense has been bad most of the year against the run which is why a 5 and 11 team is giving us a hard time. People were looking at single games or a short stint and calling the defense fixed. They are pretty far from fixed. They need better talent along the D-line. Have needed it for years. Still need it. And it needs to be fixed or this team won't be going very far.

Walker put up over a 100 yards. Geno has played competently enough to win more games throughout the season. Receivers and TE are a good position group. We could use some interior help on the O-line.

But this team's biggest weakness is the front seven right now and strong safety. If we want to compete at a high level and head back to the Super Bowl, need the front seven built up much stronger.

[RiverDog]

I don't buy that explanation. The season started out with several losses and Geno wasn't throwing picks then. And that was followed by a short-loved winning streak where Geno was still being careful with the ball. Getting careless with the ball is not a winning formula.

What's your explanation? Geno started to suck? Or play closer to his mean?

Both quarterbacks struggled. It was a cold, damp day, raining most of the time. That doesn't excuse everything, but it almost certainly had an effect. I gotta think that had that game been in a dome or warm weather, Mayfield doesn't underthrow that INT in overtime.

[trents]

What's your explanation? Geno started to suck? Or play closer to his mean?

The latter. I will say, however, his wheels are more of an asset than I realized before the season started.

[Stream Hawk]

Big win. Geno was clutch when it counted. He’s such an easy dude too root for. And what about K9 in the clutch?! Future is bright.

[trents]

Big win. Geno was clutch when it counted. He’s such an easy dude too root for. And what about K9 in the clutch?! Future is bright.

I agree. Geno was clutch when it counted. And I love his passion. And let me be clear. I'm not down on Geno. All things considered, he did a great job for us this year. But, I'd like to see him cleanup those INT's going forward and get back to playing with the precision he was playing with earlier in the season.

[RiverDog]

Walker is a stud, but like I said earlier, he gets too cute in short yardage, plus his blocking is nearly nonexistent. But there's no doubt that the guy can pack the rock. So long as he can stay healthy, he's our future. I can't see giving Penny another chance.

I'm 50/50 on Geno. He had one 3 and out in the 4th quarter and should have had a second had it not been for an absolutely horrible running into the kicker penalty, and as has been pointed out, he's been getting more careless with the ball in the 2nd half of the season, should have had 3 picks today. But he made some really good decisions to tuck it and run, and played well in OT.

Long run, I think Geno hurt his marketability in the last half of the season, which is good from our point of view as we should be able to keep him at a reasonable cost if that's the direction we decide to go.

We'll have to see what happens tonight, but if the Packers win and our season is over, you can paint me cautiously optimistic. I want to see how our offseason pans out.

[Stream Hawk]

Good point, river. Walker was very frustrating. Getting stuffed at the goal line. Although, maybe that is more of a testament to our lack of beef in the middle of the line. Hopefully that is addressed in the second round. The guy does have some serious ceiling - could be our best RB ever. I’m not willing to write off Penny yet.

Geno was very frustrating today for the most part. His OT performance was legit. Running when needed, and making some nice tosses. I am OK with offering him a two-year extension.

I am also cautiously optimistic. That 5th pick better be correct! It’ll be fun few months leading to draft.

[trents]

Walker definitely needs to improve as blocker. He had one really bad whiff tonight that looked like he didn't care at all. Blocking is all about want to. It doesn't require great athletic skill. Pete and the staff need to get on his butt about that and pull him when they don't see effort.

[obiken]

Good point, river. Walker was very frustrating. Getting stuffed at the goal line. Although, maybe that is more of a testament to our lack of beef in the middle of the line. Hopefully that is addressed in the second round. The guy does have some serious ceiling - could be our best RB ever. I’m not willing to write off Penny yet.

Geno was very frustrating today for the most part. His OT performance was legit. Running when needed, and making some nice tosses. I am OK with offering him a two-year extension.

I am also cautiously optimistic. That 5th pick better be correct! It’ll be fun few months leading to draft.

No, Penny is done, I am off him. We were lucky and everyone knows it. Sure 2 years is fine IF he will take it. Never the less SH, when are we going to get the DPicks to get a franchise guy if we dont do it this year.

[Aseahawkfan]

Looks like we're heading to the playoffs. Green Bay is about to lose.

[obiken]

Looks like we're heading to the playoffs. Green Bay is about to lose.

playoffs, playoffs? We deserve to be in the Playoffs about as much as a kick in the head!

[jshawaii22]

Aarons INT on that deep, deep balloon ball was exactly the same as the one that Digs got today. Both helped us win today deep in the 4th qtr.
Note: ET would of done the same and tried to stay inbounds, too...

This whole season seems like a repeat of the infamous Beastquake year. We had no business being the playoffs, and winning.... it cost us 10 spots in the draft that year and along with Denver winning today, we lost 10 total spots from 2 weeks ago. Do we think we can go South and win at Santa Clara?

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

Who cares what we deserve? 1st season post Russell Wilson and we are in the playoffs. First time for Geno; some guys never get there. We could very well flame out in a rematch with the 9ers. I’ll enjoy it anyway.

Tip my hat to the Lions. 4th and 1 with a chance to go up by 7, and they go for it to ice the game.

[trents]

Enjoy the moment, boys. I doubt our season will extend beyond Saturday. But, hey, at the beginning of the season I never, even in my wildest dreams, thought we'd still be playing after week 17. So, there's a lot to rejoice in.

But I tell you what, Detroit is a team to watch out for next year. They're young and talented and did a lot of growing up during the season.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

Aarons INT on that deep, deep balloon ball was exactly the same as the one that Digs got today. Both helped us win today deep in the 4th qtr.
Note: ET would of done the same and tried to stay inbounds, too...

This whole season seems like a repeat of the infamous Beastquake year. We had no business being the playoffs, and winning.... it cost us 10 spots in the draft that year and along with Denver winning today, we lost 10 total spots from 2 weeks ago. Do we think we can go South and win at Santa Clara?

Not sure if you’re upset about it, but I’d rather try and win, than throw in the towel for draft position. I want to build a winner by winning. Establishing a winning culture.

[jshawaii22]

It was just an observation and reality. I cheered all year and will throughout the playoffs.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

K, so did you have a preferred outcome?

[Aseahawkfan]

playoffs, playoffs? We deserve to be in the Playoffs about as much as a kick in the head!

One of my favorite Eastwood quotes from Unforgiven, "Deserves got nothing to do with it."

[Stream Hawk]

Absolutely. Although does anybody remember BeastQuake? Just saying NO ONE gave us a shot in hell in that game. I know it was at home, but still. Santa Clara isn’t exactly Seattle choked
with rabid, lifer Hawk fans.

This one’s different. We are on the road against the division rival rookie quarterback, not Drew Brees. It’s not settled yet.

[Hawktawk]

I was at beast quake on the 50 4 rows up behind Seattle’s bench . Camera angle for one of the greatest runs in history .
Wow.
The Rams game felt like a loss all day . I expected the missed Fg. Geno struggled but fought , played tough Better then the guy everyone was screaming we should trade for . D played good enough . Playoffs baby . Detroit did not surprise me . The officiating was clean that I could see through the various playoff scenarios . A pleasant surprise .
Last time we were extremely competetive with the 9ers despite no running game . Diggs dropped a pick , Homer had huge fumble . We’re in the tournament . No apologies . Preseason optimism vindicated . Should have won a few more . But here we are .