Seahawks post offensive balance at Week 12 against Panthers

CHARLOTTE-The Seahawks scored each of their last five assets, including three touchdowns, largely because of the big games played in the passing game.

In their spectacular 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks have accumulated only 75 yards, averaging 2.7 yards per run and 339 yards passing, and an average of 10.9 yards per attempt. And as ironic as it may sound, these unbalanced figures are a perfect illustration of the kind of balance that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll wants to bring to the table.

A common misconception of Carroll's teams is that he wants to commit a first-run offense, but if you listen to Carroll's offensive philosophy, the term he uses again and again is balancing, not running first. But when Carroll says balance, he does not mean he wants to have a certain run-to-pass ratio at every game, or run for a certain number of meters at every game; For Carroll, balance means being able to call on the running game or passing game when needed for the offensive to do what it takes to win.

Upon their arrival in this week's game, the Seahawks had accumulated more than 150 yards in seven consecutive games, the longest such sequence in franchise history, but the combination of Carolina's talent at the # Pre-Sept and his commitment to stopping the Seattle racing game has allowed tough day on the field for the Seahawks. But Carolina's commitment to stopping the race has also been to give Russell Wilson and his receivers more chances to play a big part in the passing game. Wilson responded with 22 attempts out of 31 for a record total of 339 yards, 128 touchdowns. smuggler's note. Wilson has completed seven explosive passes (over 16 meters) for five different targets: David Moore, Tyler Lockett, Tre Madden, Malik Turner and Doug Baldwin. These big games included a 35-yard touchdown to Moore who tied the game with less than four minutes to play, as well as a 43-yarder at Lockett who managed the winning goalie's placement. Lockett (27 yards) and Madden (28 yards) made a decisive pass to Chris Carson in the second quarter and a 54-yard pass to Moore helped Lockett pass a 12-yard pass.

"One day when we could not run as before, we needed the throwing game, and Russ was successful and had a great day throwing the football," Carroll said. "He just found so many plays in crucial situations and did a great job of making plays when we had them. The guys did the catch, and the pass protection was there for us. We love to run for football, but balance is the essence of this project, and I'm glad we were able to do that. "

The Seahawks were balanced in the first half in the traditional sense of the term, rushing 14 times and throwing 12 passes, but these 14 points gave only 50 yards and the Seahawks cashed three of their first four possessions.

"They did a good job against us," Carroll said. "It's a very good stellar front. They have three fantastic linebackers, they are monsters inside, it was really difficult. "

Wilson added, "It was really difficult (to run the ball). These linebackers and this line D are very good, but to throw the ball, we can do anything we want. We have star trays on the side, we have tight ends that can catch, we have backs that can catch, we have guys who can protect very well, so there is nothing we can not do make. We want to play hard and physical football, but we also want to be explosive in the passing game, spread the ball and the guys played games when we needed them. "

In the second half, the Seahawks made 19 assists and made it 14 times, although two of those 14 were on their knees late in the game before the game's winning referee, which represented a 19-12 ratio. . With the threat of the race still believable, even without much big gains, the play of the passes in Seattle began in the second half, while Wilson has thrown for 218 of his 339 yards and two touchdowns.

"We have to force them to play (in the race) so we can use the game-action equipment and pass the ball over them," said Carroll. "That's part of the problem, if they have to engage as hard (to stop the race), it gives us a bit of space to throw the football, and that's it." as well as everything fits in. (Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator) must balance that and he has done a great job today. It 's not a surprise that' s right. they played us very hard in the running, you saw (Schottenheimer) do all kinds of things to get things done, and the key to protection was that the protection held during the match and gave us a chance. "

Again, the balance does not mean a number of races for the Seahawks, it means that the running game and the passing game are available when needed. And unlike the recent games where the Seahawks had huge quick games, they won Sunday largely thanks to an explosive passing game.

"It's essential," said Carroll. "You do not know, sometimes it does not work and you have to be able to do the other way, or if you're late, you have to go to the throwing game. We do not think we're going to throw it, we want to take advantage of it in the running. It's not a secret, so I do not mind saying it.

Seattle's offensive line has been proud of the way it has paved the way for big games running in recent weeks, but Sunday was the ability of this unit to protect Wilson, who did not was sacked in the second half during these 19 pass attempts. played a big part in a win.

"They played well today," said center Justin Britt. "We like to say that we are not one-dimensional, we are not just a team. We are preaching about balance, and today the pass attack is what allowed us to continue and that allowed us to stay in the game and who eventually won the match. Our backs did a lot of work when their chances came, but it was a tough race. "