Here are my top 10 moments from the Seahawks 2012 season. I did put them in order, although it was hard to narrow it down to just 10.
1. My number one moment happened before the season even started. No question it has to be the Seahawks third round draft pick and starting quarterback Russell Wilson. It was the first time in Seahawks history that they have drafted a legitimate long term starting quarterback. Russell showed the poise and maturity of a veteran through out the season.
2. The "Legion of Boom," consisting of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Brandon Browner shut down opponents passing game. They combined for 274 tackles and 14 interceptions this season. Best thing about them is their average age is only 25 and they should only get better from here.
3. What a difference a healthy Russell Okung can make. In his third season with the Seahawks it was his first healthy season. His previous two season left him sidelined with constant high ankle sprains. With a healthy season the left tackle anchored the Seahawks offensive line. He was honored this season by being voted in as a Pro-Bowl starter.
4. The win in overtime against the Chicago Bears. Not only was it a road win but it was also Russell Wilson's coming out party. This was the game when I knew the Seahawks found their long term solution at quarterback. With under four minutes left in the game Russell lead the Hawks on a 62-yard drive for the go ahead touchdown. Then in overtime using the read option Russell wore out the Chicago defense to cap off a 79-yard winning touchdown drive.
5. Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch with another outstanding year. He was third in the league in total rushing yards with 1590. With the Seahawks having a solid running back this opened up the offense for the read option and gave the team a double running threat with Lynch and Wilson. If Lynch wasn't running the ball he turned into a solid blocker giving Russell time to throw.
6. Golden Tate's big time hit on Dallas Cowboy's Sean Lee. It was only the second game of the season and the Seahawks defense was already emerging as tough hitters. But when Tate leveled Lee it put the league on notice that all the Seahawks would be coming at you hard.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0ap1000000063427/Golden-Tate-s-block-on-Sean-Lee
7. Seahawks beating the Washington Redskins in the playoffs on the road. I was 11 years old the last time the Seahawks won a road playoff game against Miami. I still have the newspaper clippings from that win. The Seahawks went into Washington and got the monkey off their backs with a come from behind win. I bet next season the Redskins would love to face anyone besides the Seahawks in the playoffs, since the Hawks have knocked them out the last 3 times they were in the playoffs.
8. The win over San Francisco was a statement win. They lost earlier in the year to the Niners by a touchdown. The Seahawks were fighting for a playoff spot when the Niners came to town for the nationally televised Sunday night game. It was no contest, the Seahawks were out to prove to the nation they were a team to be reckoned with. The Seahawks had a 28-6 lead going into halftime and won going away 42-13. It also sent a message to the Niners that the Seahawks were not going anywhere.
9. The Seahawks strong finish to the end season. In the last third of the season the Seahawks went 5-0 with two of those wins on the road. They out scored their opponents 193-60 which included a three game run where they scored 150 points.
10. There is nothing that compares to the home field advantage the 12th Man brings to the Seahawks. They went 8-0 to go undefeated at home for the first time since the 2005 season. The fans also got national attention this season when the Seahawks had 3 nationally televised games all at the Clink.
Honorable mentions:
* Golden Tate's catch/no catch for the game winning touchdown against Green Bay.
* Come from behind win over the New England Patriots.
* Sidney Rice's touchdown catch in the overtime win against Chicago that also knocked him out.
* The sprinklers go off during the game in Miami.
