Monday Morning Quarterback

The Grinch came early on Saturday stealing the playoff hopes of Seahawks' fans every where.  To keep their playoff hopes alive the Seahawks needed a win against the the Niners and a loss my the Detroit Lions.  The Loins were at home taking on the San Diego Chargers. 

Any Seahawks' fan was scoreboard watching.  It seemed every time I checked Detroit had scored again.  By halftime it was 24-0 Lions, with the Chargers showing no signs of life.

Seahawks started the game receiving the opening kick off.  You could already see it was going to be a pushing and shoving match between the two teams as they were already starting to get into it on the kick off.  Seahawks took the ball and marched down the field for an opening series touchdown.

The Niners were held scoreless in the first quarter but kicked a field goal just seconds into the second quarter for their only score of the first half.  Seahawks also managed a field goal in the second quarter and went into halftime with the lead Seahawks 10 Niners 3.

The Seahawks field goal in the first half will come back to haunt them.  There were first and gaol on the Niners seven yard line.  They went with two running plays that got them down down to the one yard line.  On third and goal from the one there was a missed hand off and Tarvaris Jackson ran for it but was hit short of the goal line.  Seahawks would end up with the field goal.  I question that one of the first two plays should have been a pass play knowing the Niners had not given up a rushing touchdown all season.  Then the third down missed hand-off did not help matters.  A blown opportunity by the Seahawks.

In the second half the Seahawks were lack luster and came out flat.  After I commented last week that there seem to be a swagger about them. I never saw that swagger in the second half.  It was all Niners scoring 13 unanswered points.  Until Heath Farwell blocked a Niners punt and the Seahawks getting the ball first and goal on the four yard line.  First play Tarvaris Jackson hands of to Marshawn Lynch for the rushing touchdown and the lead Niners 16 Seahawks 17.

With just over six minutes on the clock the Niners start their drive from their own 20 and take it down the field but get stalled and David Akers kicks a 39 yard fieldgoal for the lead. 

In the last three minutes Seahawks are moving the ball and have it just inside Niners territory when on a third down and three Tarvais Jackson scrambles for the first down.  On the scramble the Niners defender Larry Grant knocked the ball out with the Niners recovering the fumble.  Just as a reminder for Tarvaris Jackson, football 101 always protect the ball.

Seahawks defense did manage to stop the next Niners series.  Seahawks offense got the ball back with 41 seconds left and no time outs.  Their first play from scrimmage was a short pass to Justin Forsett who picked up a few yards after the catch but did not run out of bounds to stop the clock.  Again football 101 with under two minutes in the game, no timeouts and you need to save every second you can on the clock, get out of bounds.

Because he did not get out of bounds, Tarvaris Jackson had to spike the ball to stop the clock which cost them a down.  Seahawks were unable to convert the first down and turn the ball over to the Niners for the two point win. Seahawks 17, Niners 19.

I have finally realized Tarvaris Jackson reminds me of a College Quarterback with College Quarterback mistakes.  He is far from a rookie in the NFL, in his five seasons with the Vikings he had 36 starts.  He has improved over the season and has been playing injured but I still don't see enough to want him back as my starting Quarterback for next season.

By the numbers:

Seattle only had 72 total yards in the second half.

Niners kicker David Akers made his 42 field goal of the season which is a new NFL record for a season.

Niners won for the first time in Seattle since 2008.

Marshawn Lynch continued his 11 game streak of scoring a touchdown.

Fun facts:

Marshawn Lynch ran for over a 100 yards in the game.  The Niners have not given up 100 yards to a single rusher in 37 games.  Marshawn Lynch also scored a rushing touchdown.  It was the first rushing touchdown the Niners have given up all season.