Updated Sep 13, 2012 - 11:38 pm

Predicting improvement from Wilson, upset for Hawks

By Jim Moore

Last week I predicted the Seahawks would lose to the Cardinals 20-13, and they ended up losing 20-16.

As you know, if Russell Wilson had completed one of those many passes in the red zone, the Seahawks could have won 23-20.

Last Sunday's game is a reminder of how dumb it is to bet on NFL games – if Wilson completed one of those passes in the end zone, the Seahawks would have won and covered the 2 1/2-point spread, and over bettors would have won too because the over-under was 40 1/2.

As it was, Arizona and under bettors won. It was that close to going either way.

Tony Romo and the Cowboys' offense had little trouble with Seattle last season, but they could be due for a letdown after beating the Super Bowl champions in Week 1. (AP)

So it would be idiotic to gloat about a correct prediction when it could have easily turned out differently.

The thing that's crazy is that I was perceived as a Seahawks hater simply because I picked against them. I just didn't like their chances with a rookie quarterback making his first start on the road against an above-average defense. Yet Wilson did better than I thought he would, much better.

Now the Seahawks come back to CenturyLink Field for the home opener against the Cowboys on Sunday. They're 3-point underdogs and I guess I understand why.

Dallas is coming off a big win over the Giants in the NFL's season-opening game. The Cowboys were impressive and offer weapons galore with Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware and Morris Claiborne among others.

My biggest concern revolves around the pass-rushing Ware, who could have his way with second-string left tackle Frank Omiyale if Russell Okung doesn't play.

Other than that, I feel like Wilson will play better this week at home than he did on the road. Why? Do I have some sort of football sabermetrics I can reference as rationale? Heck no, I don't have any of that stuff. I've got a gut feeling that he'll play better at home in his second start.

Defensively, the Seahawks will be super-charged by the 12th Man, offsetting the many advantages Dallas has on offense. Frankly, Romo scares the hell out of me – he's one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL as far as I'm concerned, but he'll be inconsistent at the deafening Clink.

I'm also basing my pick on the fact that Dallas is bound to be in a letdown situation here. There's no way they can be as up for the Seahawks as they were for the Giants.

If I were in Vegas this weekend – and dammit, I should be; the Cougs are there – I'd bet with both hands on the Seahawks as home dogs.

My prediction: Seahawks 24, Cowboys 17

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ronzilla wrote...

Okung has been unimpressive during his tenure in Seattle.

September 14, 2012 2:11 am

I suppose Okung might suck slightly less than Omiyale will against DeMarcus Ware.
Okung is kind of like Ray Roberts revisited. Both exhibit flashes of competence, but both are generally incompetent. Holding infractions, false starts, and failed protections are the curse of both of these so-called athletes.
p.s. OF COURSE Russell Wilson will perform better this week than he did last week. He will only get better as each week transpires! He's like a Japanese car import during the 70's. He will slowly dominate the market through production excellence.

484368

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Cbrew wrote...

ronzilla - your post is shortsided

September 14, 2012 9:52 am

Okung has been impressive in Seattle except for injuries. He's done well shutting down some of the biggest DE's in the league. I.E. DeMarcus Ware, who if you didn't know or didn't watch the last Hawks VS Boys game... did nothing against Okung... Okung Handled him quite well... Like i said in my post below, the issue we had last week was with the silent count... The O-line particularly on the outside where they can't actually see the ball were out of sync entirely, this lead to false starts from Okung but it also gave the Defense an edge as they were able to move first... Expect the O-line to play much better this week since RW won't be using the silent count and expect Okung to handle D-Ware if he is able to play.

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ronzilla wrote...

ok Cbrew, we'll see what transpires this week

September 14, 2012 11:33 am

But I'm telling you, many of my memories of Ray Roberts give me Deja vu when I see Okung play. I guess his failures stick in my mind more than his successes.

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Derrol_o wrote...

Good call JM on that last game

September 14, 2012 2:15 am

Wonder where all those posters from last week are? Here's to hoping you're on top of it this week as well. One thing I'm noticing about the Hawks under Carroll is that oftentimes they start the game out slow but afterwards often manage to make adjustments that turn the tide magnificently in the 2nd half of games. But why can't they get it rolling from the opening kickoff? Can't help but wonder what the heck they're doing all week up until the game starts. They're going to have to bring it for all 4 quarters against the Cowboys, no doubt about it.

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ronzilla wrote...

My dad was complaining about the first half performance last week too.

September 14, 2012 11:42 am

I explained to him that the Seahawks consistently make great halftime adjustments. Sure enough, they looked like a different team during the second half.
It would be AWESOME if they could play ALL 4 quarters as well as they do the last 2 quarters.

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just Fred wrote...

key to success

September 14, 2012 6:15 am

As long as we have Derrell Bevell as our offensive coordinator this team will never reach it's potential on offense. Bevell failed in Minnesota, and he is going to drag the Seahawks down too. He does not understand you call plays that uses our team strengths. The example I use for that statement is the fact that we were down in the red zone, we get 2 pass interfearance calls and an extra time out and multiple shots at the end zone and not once did Bevell call a play that rolls out Wilson with a run - pass option. He kept him in a non-existant pocket where he was a sitting duck. Yes, our receivers flat dropped 3 potential TD passes, which is a whole different discussion. Bevell establishes the game plan for the start of the game, and we all know how well that worked, and Pete Carroll makes the half time adjustments which he is a master at. All things considered, I think the team played a pretty good game, but due to Bevell's inept first half game plan this game was lost in the first half. As long as we have Bevell as the OC, we will be 7-9, or with a little luck 8-8. This is a talented team, too bad Bevell doesn't know how to use it.

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Newton wrote...

Fred you are Spot on with D/B.

September 18, 2012 6:06 am

I have no answers for Darrel Bevell. Only Questions?. Seven Shots at the Goal line last week. This is what I've been saying since he was hired as a Seahawk OC.

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clevesside wrote...

He's right, 4 quarters are needed......

September 14, 2012 8:37 am

.....for a complete game, not just making adjustments part of the way. The defense has no concerns, the offense, especially the line, leaves a touch of stomach-gurgling among fans. Russell Wilson can only improve. Michael Robinson, deserves some more touches, like Matt Strong of old. Hello Bevell?

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Willie G wrote...

Apologies

September 14, 2012 9:16 am

I, for one, submit my apologies for talking smack about last week's prediction. Although the 'Hawks should have won, they still didn't. What I don't think anyone expected is that the O-line was bad. They were solid and becoming solid-er last year, so they're porousness was a big surprise, and it was the difference in the game. But good call Jim. Hope to god they turn it around this week.

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Cbrew wrote...

I see the Hawks winning too - and i have insight on what went wrong in AZ

September 14, 2012 9:46 am

First, I am going to admit i hated that prediction last week, and short of 5 yards Moore, i'd be calling you out on it right now. My insight on why they lost is different than what i'm seeing many post... One of the biggest problems i saw during the game wasn't necessarily our O-line Blocking, it was how out of sync they were with RW in the silent count. I don't know if you all have gone back to the video but if you watch, the O-line didn't seem to know when the ball was going to be snapped... Especially on the outside where Okung picked up a bunch of false starts... I don't think the line and RW have had much practice running silent... This lead to the Defense timing RW's silent snap and actually jumping before our lineman did... This will NOT be a problem at home since RW will be able to call out the snap in the friendly confines of the CLINK. Look for the protection to be much better in the CLINK for this simple reason... I also expect The coaching staff to be working on this issue before we go back on the road... I expect with more time in the pocket RW will have a big day... also since Lynch tore up the Cowboys last time i expect him to have a big day as well... Based on that, and based on the D being fired up at home... I definitely expect the Hawks to pull this one off... 33 to 24 Seahawks is my prediction.

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ronzilla wrote...

I see what you're driving at Cbrew but I, for one, would like an explanation.

September 14, 2012 11:55 am

If our offense doesn't know when the ball will be snapped, how can the defense know when the snap will occur? AND, I'm assuming Okung HAS had experience working within the confines of a silent count before the AZ game, so why did he have trouble last week? I would like to understand these concepts.

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r1co777 wrote...

O - Line

September 14, 2012 1:46 pm

O Line has to improve as well,hopefully there is a rapport developing w/ Wilson and receivers as well, it is a factor that Wilson did not have Rice very much and didn't have Baldwin at all in preseason. we'll see soon enuff.

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Zagnut wrote...

Wilson better either improve or be replaced if we want what's best for 2012.

September 14, 2012 2:59 pm

http://12thmanrising.com/2012/09/13/seattle-seahawks-receivers-got-open-against-the-cardinals/ AND http://www.hawkblogger.com/2012/09/receivers-getting-raw-deal.html Hugh Millen AND Trent Dilfer AND me :) aren't the only ones to hold that belief.

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dori monson fan wrote...

I'm here to eat my serving of crow.

September 14, 2012 3:11 pm

Good call last week Jim. Last week I said hawks would win 20-17. This week I realize Wilson is too short. Cowboys on top 27-10.

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C"mon Man wrote...

Mo and match-up's

September 14, 2012 9:05 pm

Those factors will decide.

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Jim Moore

Jim Moore has co-hosted "The Kevin Calabro Show" since 2009. He also co-hosts "The Northwest Golf Show" with Shon Crewe and writes weekly columns for 710Sports.com and for the Kitsap Sun. Jim spent 26 years as a reporter and columnist at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, where he developed his nickname, "The Go 2 Guy."

Jessamyn McIntyre

Jessamyn McIntyre is the executive producer of 710 ESPN Seattle and has produced "The Kevin Calabro Show" since 2009. Previously, she spent four years at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn. She freelances as a producer for ESPN Radio and ESPN TV and will be the sideline reporter for Washington State football games on 710 ESPN Seattle starting this fall.

Updated Sep 13, 2012 - 11:38 pm

Predicting improvement from Wilson, upset for Hawks

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