Seahawks confident for run at playoffs

Playoffs? Playoffs?!?

Believe it or not, the Seattle Seahawks still think they have enough gas in the tank to make a run at the postseason.

At 4-6, the Seahawks are three games behind NFC wild card co-leaders Detroit and Chicago (7-3).

And one reason for Seattle’s confidence in completing the arduous task ahead is because the Seahawks already accomplished the unexpected last season, becoming the first 7-9 team in league history to advance to the playoffs.

“To do it in the fashion that we did it, getting smacked up all year long,” Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch said. “Anybody else in that position I think would have been like, ‘You know what man, this ain’t for us.’ But we kept fighting and kept clawing.”

The Seahawks snuck in after beating St. Louis in the final regular season game. A week later, Seattle surprised the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the NFC wild card game in Seattle.

So Seattle coach Pete Carroll can use last year as an example of what can happen when players remained committed to the task.

“There are a lot of games out there,” Carroll said. “There’s a lot of wins to be had if we can do it. If we stay on course with what we’re doing right now, we’ve got a formula that can get us close in every game we play.

“It doesn’t matter who we play. I don’t care what their record is or where they come from. It doesn’t matter right now. That’s a good feeling in here. How that works down the stretch, we’ll find out.”

Riding their first two-game winning streak of the season, the Seahawks play their next three games at home against Washington, Philadelphia and St. Louis – teams with a combined record of 9-21.

So it’s not far fetched that Seattle could get through that stretch at 7-6.

After that, Seattle finishes the season at Chicago, at home against San Francisco and on the road on New Year’s Day against Arizona.

“We know what we’re trying to do,” Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant said. “Each week we’re trying to get better, and it’s out there for us.

“We’ve got a lot of opportunities to do some good things, and that’s what our focus is, one game at a time.”

CLEMONS HONORED

According to the team’s website, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons will be named the NFC defensive player of the week. An announcement by the league is expected today.

Clemons had three sacks and two forced fumbles against St. Louis on Sunday, upping his sack total to eight for the season, good for ninth in the league.

Clemons is the first Seahawk to receive player of the week recognition this season. Last year, punter Jon Ryan, kicker Olindo Mare and returner Leon Washington received special teams player-of-the-week honors.

EXTRA POINTS

Former Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy was named as one of 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 on Tuesday. Kennedy’s on the list for the fourth consecutive year. The field will be reduced to 15 finalists and announced in early January. … The Seahawks cut receiver Patrick Williams from the practice squad and added University of Maryland product Isaiah Williams with the vacant spot. Isaiah Williams is a 6-foot-3, 200 pounder who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 with Baltimore. Most recently, Williams had been with Arizona’s practice squad. … The Seahawks will install a new artificial surface at CenturyLink Field in early February, replacing the old FieldTurf that has been there for four years. CenturyLink Field is one of seven NFL stadiums to use FieldTurf. Others are Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field, Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Field, New England’s Gillette Stadium and New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.wiliams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks

SEAHAWKS’ NEXT OPPONENT

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-7)

1:05 p.m., Sunday, CenturyLink Field, CH. 13, 1240-AM, 1030-AM

Against the Seahawks: This is the 15th meeting between the teams. Washington holds a 10-4 advantage, and the Redskins have won five in a row, dating to 2001. But Seattle is 2-0 against Washington in the playoffs – a 20-10 win at home in the 2005 playoffs and a 35-14 victory in Seattle in the 2007 playoffs.

Stats and stuff: Washington is scuffling, traveling to Seattle with a six-game losing streak. It’s the longest losing streak of Mike Shanahan’s head coaching career. … The Redskins have struggled to score, averaging 16 points a contest, 27th in the league. However, Washington has one of the better defenses the league, giving up 338.7 yards a contest, No. 14 in the league. Washington has 31 sacks, led by rookie Ryan Kerrigan’s six. Kerrigan also has four forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown. … Redskins left tackle Trent Williams could miss Sunday’s contest with a knee injury, which means that former Seahawk Sean Locklear might see time at left tackle if Williams, who has a sprained medial collateral ligament, can’t play. Former Seahawks offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus started at left guard for Washington on Sunday. Former Seattle cornerback Josh Wilson has a mild hamstring strain, but could be ready to play. Former Seattle defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer also plays for the Redskins. … Fullback Mike Sellers played at North Thurston High School in Lacey.

Quotable: “The way I’m playing right now, they need to go and cut me, because I’m definitely not worth what I’m getting. It’s frustrating.” – Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall expressing disappointment with his performance after his team’s 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas last week.

REDSKINS SCHEDULE

Sept. 11Redskins 28, Giants 14

Sept. 18Redskins 22, Cardinals 21

Sept. 26 Cowboys 18, Redskins 16

Oct. 2 Redskins 17, Rams 10

Oct. 9 Bye

Oct. 16 Eagles 20, Redskins 13

Oct. 23 Panthers 33, Redskins 20

Oct. 30 Bills 23, Redskins 0

Nov. 6 49ers 19, Redskins 11

Nov. 13 Dolphins 20, Redskins 9

Nov. 20 Cowboys 27, Redskins 24

Sunday at Seattle

Dec. 4 N.Y. Jets

Dec. 11 New England

Dec. 18 at N.Y. Giants

Dec. 24 Minnesota

Jan. 1 at Philadelphia