Finally an East Coast early start win for the Seahawks as they beat the Giants 36-25. It was the first complete game the Seahawks have had on offense, defense and special teams all season. Who knew the Seahawks running game was hiding in New York and it would take five games to find it.
Seahawks had a strong first half but left points out on the field with two fumbles in the red zone. They opened the game with an 80 yard touchdown drive that did not have a third down in it. There second touchdown came with three minutes left in the first quarter with a two play drive, both running plays to Marshawn Lynch for a 48 yard score.
They went into halftime tied 14-14 with the Giants getting a quick score to end the first half. The Seahawks could have been up 28-14 or at the very least 20-14 if they would have held onto the ball.
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The only points scored in the third quarter game off a safety by Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hardgrove. He went untouched and stuffed Danny Ware in the end zone. This play was set up with the Seahawks special teams downing a punt on the 5 yard line.
Tarvaris Jackson was doing good using the no huddle style offense and was up to 166 passing yards. With about nine minutes left in the third quarter Tarvaris Jackson was injured on a running play that he did not slide on and was tackled. This brought in back up Charlie Whitehurst. I commented on my Facebook at the start of the season Tarvaris Jackson would not make it to the bye week without being injured.
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So for all the fans who were calling for Charlie Whitehurst here was their chance to see what he could do. I thought he looked better in the pocket except for one sack he was blind sided on and never saw it coming.
The ESPN highlight moment came on a Giants' third down play in the fourth quarter. Eli Manning with an ugly throw down field that should have been intercepted but was tipped and Victor Cruz made an amazing one handed catch that he ran in for the go ahead touchdown. The Giants would go on to get a two point conversion and their first lead of the game.
Charlie Whitehurst got them into field goal range twice with Steven Hauschka hitting both field goals. With just over two minutes left in the game Charlie Whitehurst hit the wide open rookie Doug Baldwin for a 27 yard touchdown play and the lead Seahawks 29-Giants 25.
Eli Manning executed a good two minute drill, which got the Giants down to the Seahawks five yard line and in position to score the go ahead touchdown. Until Victor Cruz fumbled the ball and Brandon Browner recovered and ran it back 94 yards for the touchdown to secure the win for the Seahawks. It was nice to see Brandon Browner have a good game, he has been under fire since week one but has been improving each week. It was even sweeter seeing the Seahawks in victory formation to run the clock out in the Meadowlands (oops I am old school it is now called MetLife Stadium).
I can't say enough about Leon Washington with his kick off and punt returns. He was averaging 23 yards on kick off returns and 11 yards on punt returns this game which lead to the Seahawks having great field position.
The defense was a solid unit attacking the ball and applying pressure to Eli Manning all day. They held the Giants to only 69 yards rushing on the day. Not to mention their two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and three sacks.
The star on offense has to be the rookie Doug Baldwin with his best game ever. He had eight receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown. There is something about watching Baldwin play. He is like a sponge with the ball and just sucks it up when ever it is thrown his way. Not to mention his toughness for taking hard hits and still managing to continue playing.
The Seahawks had some injuries with Leroy Hill going out with a hamstring, Russell Okung went limping off towards the end of the game and Tarvaris Jackson with a pectoral muscle strain in the right shoulder. This will lead to talk over the next two weeks on who should start Tarvais Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst. Who do you think should be the starting Quarterback in two weeks?
By the numbers:
* It was the first time the Seahawks scored in the first quarter this season.
* The defense held the Giants to only one third down conversion.
* The Seahawks had 5 takeaways.
* The Seahawks running game was averaging five yards a carry.
* The Seahawks average starting field position was the 38 yard line.
Fun Fact:
The last time the Seahawks won a regular season game in New York (Jets or Giants) was December of 1983.