DETROIT – The Seattle Seahawks finally achieved something on offense they’ve been seeking the first half of the season – an effective passing attack.
Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson threw the ball a season-high 35 times for Seattle as the Detroit Lions focused on stopping Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks’ explosive running game.
The emphasis on moving the ball through the air allowed Wilson to develop more rhythm and a better rapport with his receivers.
The result was more explosive plays in the passing game. Seattle finished with seven pass plays of at least 13 yards, with Wilson completing passes to nine receivers.
Wilson also got excellent protection from his offensive line. The Seahawks didn’t allow a sack for the first time this season.
“I definitely believe we can do that consistently,” Wilson said. “We have the time, in terms of the offensive line blocking and doing a great job of giving me enough time to make decisions, and guys are coming up with big plays. And that’s what we need.
“When the game is on the line, we’ve got to rise to the occasion. And we definitely did that today.”
Wilson once again proved to be clutch when the game mattered most.
With Seattle down, 21-17, with 11:35 remaining in the game, Wilson engineered a 12-play, 87-yard drive, capping the effort with a 16-yard pass to tight end Zach Miller, who made a highlight catch on a corner route.
“The thing I’m most excited about is that last drive we had,” Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice said. “We went down and drove the ball. We ran the ball. We made the plays that needed to be made. And I feel like we’re capable of doing that every single time we’re out there as an offense.”
Wilson has thrown 10 touchdown passes this season, with seven of those scores occurring in the second halves. Wilson also threw his eighth interception of the year, and all eight have come away from CenturyLink Field.
Seattle still had a presence in the running game, with the Seahawks rushing for 133 yards on 19 carries. The team did a better job in the red zone, too, scoring touchdowns on two of its three opportunities inside Detroit’s 20-yard line.
TATE BOUNCES BACK
After finishing without a catch for the first time as a starter, and dropping two passes against San Francisco in the Seahawks last game, third-year receiver Golden Tate rebounded with a seven-catch, 64-yard effort.
“Golden’s character … Golden’s competitiveness is tremendous,” Wilson said. “It’s relentless, and he did a great job of bouncing back all week.
“And that’s the thing we did on offense this entire week, is really focusing in on the attention to detail, and really pushing ourselves in practice and capitalizing on things. And I think it showed today.”
EXTRA POINTS
Receiver Braylon Edwards was a surprise addition to the Seattle inactive list. The eight-year veteran practiced the entire week without incident, but according to the team, Edwards woke up on Sunday with a swollen knee. Trainers drained when Edwards arrived at the stadium, but it became swollen again during pregame workouts. Edwards was supposed to get significant reps in his return to his hometown of Detroit, but with Edwards and Doug Baldwin (ankle) out, Seattle had only four receivers active — Sidney Rice, Ben Obomanu, Charly Martin and Tate. “He woke up this morning and his knee flared up,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “We were surprised. He was surprised as anybody. He tried to get going, tried to run and just couldn’t get going today. He drained his knee and all that kind of stuff, and just came out of nowhere.” … Carroll said that fullback Michael Robinson and Obomanu suffered sprained wrists. Also, Tate tweaked his ankle, according to Carroll. … Defensive tackle Jason Jones, who was listed as doubtful because of an ankle injury, was inactive, as were offensive lineman John Moffitt, defensive tackle Jaye Howard, Baldwin and cornerbacks Danny Gorrer and Byron Maxwell. … Detroit’s inactive players included linebacker DeAndre Levy (shoulder), cornerback Bill Bentley (ankle), safety Amari Spievey (concussion) and cornerback Jacob Lacey (concussion). … Seattle rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (12) and outside linebacker K.J. Wright (11) combined for 23 tackles. … Detroit safety Louis Delmas suffered a knee injury and did not return. … Seattle was penalized a season-low two times for 10 yards.
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