Quick hits: Seahawks run away with win over Bills
Dec 16, 2012, 3:49 PM | Updated: Dec 17, 2012, 9:32 am
By Brady Henderson
A few notes and thoughts on the Seahawks’ 50-17 win over the Bills in Toronto.
The lead. The Seahawks took care of business in a big way against an inferior Bills team, scoring at least 50 points for the second straight game. Russell Wilson ran for three touchdowns and threw for another as Seattle’s offense moved the ball at will. This win, as convincing as it was, combined with the overtime victory in Chicago two weeks ago should ease some fears about the Seahawks’ ability to win away from CenturyLink Field. Seattle is 9-5 with two home games remaining, including one next week against San Francisco that could determine first place in the NFC West.
The good. Seattle’s offense could not be stopped, particularly in the first half. Wilson used the read-option brilliantly, finishing with a career-high 92 rushing yards on nine carries. He had touchdown runs of 14, 25 and 13 yards, all in the first half. Those three touchdowns set a franchise record for quarterbacks. He found a wide open Zach Miller in the end zone on a play-action pass from 4 yards out for his lone throwing touchdown.
Marshawn Lynch needed just 10 carries to gain 113 yards.
The Seahawks’ pass rush, inconsistent this season, produced three sacks and played a role in one of Seattle’s two interceptions. Chris Clemons had 2.5 sacks, including one that caused a fumble that Bruce Irvin recovered. Jason Jones pressured Ryan Fitzpatrick into an errant throw that Earl Thomas intercepted and returned 57 yards for a touchdown.
K.J. Wright picked off Fitzpatrick for his first career interception.
Seattle committed just four penalties for 32 yards.
The bad. There wasn’t much to dislike about this game aside from the Bills’ two first-half touchdown drives and a few missed throws by Wilson. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo’s explosive running back, carried 17 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.
One of Wilson’s few mistakes was an overthrown pass that sailed over Michael Robinson in the end zone.
Trick plays. The Seahawks ran two of them. The first was a flea-flicker-type play that had Wilson handing off to Lynch, Lynch throwing back to Wilson and Wilson throwing to Golden Tate for a 44-yard gain.
The other was a fake punt that Seattle ran in the fourth quarter. Chris Maragos took a direct snap and handed off to Robinson, who gained 29 yards. The Seahawks led 47-17 at the time. Pete Carroll will likely face more questions about aggressive play-calling late in blowout wins.
