Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Wednesday, Dec. 23 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
The NFL's Scariest Offenses
Matt Bowen, a former NFL safety turned football analyst at ESPN.com, has an Insider feature ranking the League's top five 'scariest offenses,' and the Seahawks, who rank fifth in the NFL in terms of total yards per game (385.1), fittingly come in at No. 5 on Bowen's list.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 1), New England Patriots (No. 2), Carolina Panthers (No. 3), and Arizona Cardinals (No. 4) rank ahead of Seattle, but here's what Bowen had to say about the Seahawks offense that has put up "crazy" numbers the past five weeks:
Over the past five games, Russell Wilson is 27-of-34 for 426 yards and 10 touchdowns on throws to Doug Baldwin. Those are crazy numbers -- and they're a microcosm of the Seahawks' resurgence on offense under Darrell Bevell. Wilson has been on fire from the pocket during this stretch (81 percent completion percentage, 18 TDs, 0 INTs), and he is always a threat to make a play on the ground off the zone-read or when he feels pressure in the pocket. The guy is magical at times.
The diversity of the game plan under Bevell also can't be overstated -- three-step routes, packaged plays, intermediate throws, play action, zone-read. Yes, the Seahawks do it all, which allows them to dictate tempo behind an offensive line that has grown as a unit the second half of the season. They are giving Wilson more time to get the ball out to Baldwin, rookie Tyler Lockett, Jermaine Kearse and tight end Luke Willson.
With injuries to running backs Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks will have to use a committee approach down the stretch (Christine Michael, Bryce Brown, Derrick Coleman), but the play calling and Wilson's constant threat to pull the ball on the zone-read should facilitate enough production there to keep this train rolling. From a defensive perspective, there is so much to account for when matching up against Seattle. And with Wilson now lighting up defenses from inside the pocket, it's even more of a challenge to limit this group.
Seven Seahawks Earn Pro Bowl Honors
Seven Seahawks were named to the 2016 Pro Bowl last night - defensive end Michael Bennett, strong safety Kam Chancellor, return specialist Tyler Lockett, cornerback Richard Sherman, free safety Earl Thomas, linebacker Bobby Wagner, and quarterback Russell Wilson, a number that ties the franchise record set in the 1984 and 2005 seasons. Five more Seahawks were named Pro Bowl alternates - defensive end Cliff Avril, wide receiver Doug Baldwin, kicker Steven Hauschka, running back Marshawn Lynch, and left tackle Russell Okung.
The Carolina Panthers had the most players recognized with 10, but the Seahawks' seven selections tied with the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots for second-most in the League. You can check out the complete Pro Bowl roster right here.
Brock Huard's Chalk Talk
https://youtu.be/xvtd0ReKuZM
Former University of Washington and Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard shares his latest Chalk Talk video at 710Sports.com, breaking down one of Russell Wilson's three touchdown passes from this past weekend's 30-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. The play Huard puts in focus is Wilson's 27-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Tyler Lockett, Wilson's 19th touchdown pass without an interception over the past five games.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from us - @Seahawks, as we share a special #ThankYou12s video message from defensive linemen Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, and Brandon Mebane. Look for #ThankYou12s Twitter messages from players to continue all week ahead of Sunday's Fan Appreciation game against the St. Louis Rams.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle takes a closer look at Seattle's secondary depth that was on display in this past week's win over the Browns when Kam Chancellor (pelvis) was sidelined and DeShawn Shead (ankle) was rested at times.
Here's what went down in Week 15 around the rest of the NFC West, when the Arizona Cardinals (12-2) clinched the division but lost Pro Bowl defensive back Tyrann Mathieu to a torn ACL in the process.
Coach Pete Carroll says the Seahawks won't take a break in their final two regular season games even though the club is guaranteed to be the fifth or sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture. Seattle can clinch the No. 5 seed with a win in Week 16 over the St. Louis Rams plus a Minnesota Vikings loss to the New York Giants.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com details wide receiver Doug Baldwin's up-and-down journey to the NFL.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times revisits the Seahawks' playoff scenarios heading into Week 16.
Matt Calkins at the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' five-game win streak has helped dismiss early-season theories on Seattle's performance.
John McGrath at the Tacoma News Tribune explains why Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane's interception of a Landry Jones pass in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers could be seen as the turning point in Seattle's season.
And Eric Mandel at 710Sports.com recaps a recent radio conversation with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Seahawks returned to CenturyLink Field for their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, with all the holiday excitement from the 12s to locker room captured by team photographer Rod Mar.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, sporting camo Bose headphones, pauses for a selfie with fans before heading back to the locker room after early pregame warmups.
Receiver Tyler Lockett only slows down to acknowledge 12s, as he did when sprinting back to the locker room after getting loose 90 minutes before kickoff.
Defensive coordinator Kris Richard greets cornerback Richard Sherman in the locker room before the defense took the field for pregame warmups.
Linebacker K.J. Wright carefully applies tape to his fingers in the locker room before the game.
Defensive lineman Brandon Mebane addresses the Seahawks moments before they left their locker room to take the field against the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Defensive end Michael Bennett went to the "dark side" before the game, donning a Darth Vader mask for his pregame introduction.
Cornerback Richard Sherman salutes 12s all over CenturyLink Field as he is introduced.
Safety Kelcie McCray, making his first start, wasted no time in making his presence known, stopping Cleveland's Duke Johnson, Jr. for a one-yard loss on the game's opening play from scrimmage.
Seahawks receiver Kevin Smith tries to make a falling, juggling catch after taking contact from a Cleveland defender while the ball was in the air.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and assistant receivers coach Nate Carroll react after a pass intended for receiver Kevin Smith fell incomplete after contact between Smith and a Cleveland defender.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson readies to throw a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver Doug Baldwin while lineman Patrick Lewis and Justin Britt provide a clean pocket.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his first touchdown of the game with Seahawks mascot "Blitz".
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after Seattle's first touchdown of the game.
Seahawks fans brought the noise in an attempt to rattle Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane breaks through to sack Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Brandon Mebane reacts to his sack by breaking out his signature "belly roll" as teammate Michael Bennett joins the celebration.
The Sea Gals were in holiday spirits for the final game before Christmas.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown looks for a hole in the red zone.
Seahawks running back Christine Michael runs over Cleveland's Donte Whitner in the second quarter.
These fans in the south end zone found ways to stay both spirited and warm, dressed in holiday hats and sweaters for the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's first touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin went to the left side, and in the second quarter the duo paired up on the right. Wilson threw over blitzing Cleveland linebacker Karlos Dansby to Baldwin for a six-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin outraces Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game and his tenth touchdown in four games.
At halftime, CenturyLink Field and the cityscape looked lovely, as a sun break showed off all of Seattle's beauty.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, with plenty of room to throw thanks to the protection of lineman Alvin Bailey, Justin Britt and Patrick Lewis on the left side, fires a pass to a streaking Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in a 27-yard touchdown reception over Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi at the beginning of the fourth quarter, giving Seattle a 27-10 lead.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reacts after Russell Wilson connected with Tyler Lockett for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
12s. They come in all shapes and sizes. And hats. And sunglasses.
Seahawks running back Bryce Brown breaks up the middle for a first down. In place of injured Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks gained 182 yards rushing in the victory over Cleveland.
Quarterback Russell Wilson escapes the pocket for a 16-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals in the 30-13 win over the Browns.
Seahawks defensive backs Marcus Burley and Kelcie McCray smile on the Seattle sidelines near the end of the game. Burley had an interception and McCray led the Seahawks in tackles.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel met near midfield.
Michael Bennett, who often refers to himself as "Black Santa", got into the holiday spirit with the Sea Gals after the game.
Michael Bennett dances to the cheers of the 12s as he makes his way to the locker room after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the Seahawks after the victory, which clinched the team a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season.
Michael Bennet, left, urged Seahawks vice-president of football administration Matt Thomas into joining the team for it's post-game breakdown in the middle of the locker room.
Quarterback Russell Wilson addresses the media after the game. Wilson threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions for the fifth straight game, the first time an NFL quarterback has ever done so.
Well after the game, CenturyLink Field glowed brightly in holiday and Seahawks colors as the December moon shone overhead.
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