Monday Morning Quarterback

The Seahawks were at home this weekend taking on the Bengals.  The biggest question all week was who the Seahawks starting QB would be? Tarvaris Jackson was listed as the starting QB even though Charlie Whitehurst was taking the snaps all week with the starters. 

The Bengals opening drive resulted in a field goal but had the Seahawks defense out on the field for over 9 minutes.  The Seahawks started Charlie Whitehurst, who went a quick three and out that took only 30 seconds off the clock.  On the second Bengals drive the defense was not getting enough pressure on Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who ended their second drive with a touchdown. 

The Seahawks only first half score came at the start of the second quarter with a 47 yard field goal by Steve Hauschka.  Charlie Whitehurst had one more drive that ended with a punt in the second quarter before being replaced with Tarvaris Jackson.

Tarvaris Jackson's first play from scrimmage was a hand-off to Marshawn Lynch who fumbled the ball and the Bengals recovered on the Seahawks 31 yard line.  Thanks to two offensive holding penalties that pushed the Bengals back out of field goal range and ended their drive punting.

With just under two minutes left in the first half the Seahawks managed to drive the ball down to the Bengals three yard line.  With only 14 seconds left and facing a 4th and 2 with no timeouts left they had to decide to go for it or kick a field goal.  I thought they should have gone for field goal and take the almost sure points.  Pete Carroll decided to go for it and on fourth down called a run play to Marshawn Lynch.  He got the first down but could not punch it into the end zone.  Time ran out in the first half with the ball sitting on the Bengals one yard line.  At the end of the first half Bengals 17 Seahawks 3.

It was poor clock management on the Seahawks part at the end of the first half.  But I also thought on the final play there should have been a defensive delay of game called on the Bengals.  Their defensive players kept Marshawn Lynch from getting up from the play and also swatted the ball away so the refs could not reset the ball before the clock ran out.  The rules clearly state it is a penalty when a defensive player hinders the offense from hurrying to make the next snap.

The second half highlights include two nice interceptions by the Seahawks defense. Their second interception turned into Tarvaris Jackson driving the ball 79 yards for the Seahawks first touchdown since the fourth quarter of the Giants game and their only touchdown of the game. 

In the fourth quarter the Bengals had a punt return for a touchdown and an interception they ran back for a touchdown to finish off the Seahawks.  Final score Bengals 34 Seahawks 12 and the Seahawks go to 2-5 on the season.

Pete Carroll did not say in is post game press conference why Tarvaris Jackson replaced Charlie Whitehurst.  If it was his poor play or being shaken up by a hard hit in the second quarter.  I have seen enough of Charlie Whitehurst play this season to know he better not be resigned next season. 

Tarvaris Jackson had a good game throwing for 323 yards in only two and a half quarters.  He would have had more if not for so many dropped passes by the receiving core.  At times Tarvaris Jackson looks good in the pocket.  I am just not sure if there is enough of those good times to out weigh the bad. 

I have to throw in a congratulations to the Washington Husky's who got their sixth win on Saturday and are assured a bowl bid.

By the numbers:

*  First win for the Bengals in Seattle since their 1994 season.

*  Seahawks had 9 total yards rushing in the first half.

*  Last time the Bengals had a punt return for a touchdown was 2003.

*  Seahawks 411 total yards while the Bengals had an only 252 total yards.

*  Seahawks had only 61 rushing yards in the game.

Fun Fact:

Seahawks' fans think about what could have been.  The Bengals rookie starting QB Andy Dalton was taken in the second round, 10 picks after the Seahawks passed on him.