28-0, 14-0, 20-0, 9-0 and 31-0.

[Optimus25]

It was visible in the pictures pre-game, players on the way to the game from the hotel. I told my son they looked disinterested (though some thought they looked mad or focused). I didn't see any joy, any excitement. The panthers were thrilled to be playing, and we weren't.

I somehow doubt such a pall comes from Pete, but who knows what was said in pre-team meetings and practice.

To the OP, you must explain the presence of games in which we haven't fallen behind, then. And how many of the games you do point out did we eventually win? You can't pick the stats you want and not explain what the mean in broader context.

I can't think of a recent big game we didn't fall behind early.

Maybe playoffs, divisional round last year? Otherwise, when ever we play the Aints.

Outside of that, it's always a long, uphill climb.

 

[Bobblehead]

We need a motivator coach, not that Pete isn't one, but some playbook thumping preacher coach who will put fire and brimstone under their arses before every game.

 

[AgentDib]

Here are our 12 playoff first half/second half splits under Pete sorted by start time.

@Panthers: 0-31 first half, 24-0 second half (10am)
@Vikings: 0-3 first half, 10-6 second half (10am)
@Falcons: 0-20 first half, 28-10 second half (10am)
@Bears: 0-21 first half, 24-14 second half (10am)
Packers: 0-16 first half, 22-6 second half (12pm)
Saints: 16-0 first half, 7-15 second half (1pm)
@Redskins: 13-14 first half, 11-0 second half (1pm)
Saints: 24-20 first half, 16-17 second half (1pm)
Patriots: 14-14 first half, 10-14 second half (3pm)
Broncos: 22-0 first half, 21-8 second half (3pm)
Panthers: 14-10 first half, 17-7 second half (5pm)
49ers: 3-10 first half, 20-7 second half (6pm)

Anything jump off the page at you? In games played at 1 pm PST or later we have outscored our opponents 106-68 in the first half. OTOH in games starting before 1pm we have been outscored 0-91 in the first half. This is not a general problem but rather a specific one.

 

[Optimus25]

Here are our 12 playoff first half/second half splits under Pete sorted by start time.

@Panthers: 0-31 first half, 24-0 second half (10am)
@Vikings: 0-3 first half, 10-6 second half (10am)
@Falcons: 0-20 first half, 28-10 second half (10am)
@Bears: 0-21 first half, 24-14 second half (10am)
Packers: 0-16 first half, 22-6 second half (12pm)
Saints: 16-0 first half, 7-15 second half (1pm)
@Redskins: 13-14 first half, 11-0 second half (1pm)
Saints: 24-20 first half, 16-17 second half (1pm)
Patriots: 14-14 first half, 10-14 second half (3pm)
Broncos: 22-0 first half, 21-8 second half (3pm)
Panthers: 14-10 first half, 17-7 second half (5pm)
49ers: 3-10 first half, 20-7 second half (6pm)

Anything jump off the page at you? In games played at 1 pm PST or later we have outscored our opponents 106-68 in the first half. OTOH in games starting before 1pm we have been outscored 0-91 in the first half.

Wow.

Just. Wow.

 

[Bobblehead]

Here are our 12 playoff first half/second half splits under Pete sorted by start time.

@Panthers: 0-31 first half, 24-0 second half (10am)
@Vikings: 0-3 first half, 10-6 second half (10am)
@Falcons: 0-20 first half, 28-10 second half (10am)
@Bears: 0-21 first half, 24-14 second half (10am)
Packers: 0-16 first half, 22-6 second half (12pm)
Saints: 16-0 first half, 7-15 second half (1pm)
@Redskins: 13-14 first half, 11-0 second half (1pm)
Saints: 24-20 first half, 16-17 second half (1pm)
Patriots: 14-14 first half, 10-14 second half (3pm)
Broncos: 22-0 first half, 21-8 second half (3pm)
Panthers: 14-10 first half, 17-7 second half (5pm)
49ers: 3-10 first half, 20-7 second half (6pm)

Anything jump off the page at you? In games played at 1 pm PST or later we have outscored our opponents 106-68 in the first half. OTOH in games starting before 1pm we have been outscored 0-91 in the first half.

Good job

I've been harping about the time zone cause no matter how you slice it and dice it, you are groggy, I've been there.
Whats worse is they go two days before and on the 2nd day, it's even worse, it's probably better to go the day before, (sat) and it would just be a getting up early thing. The 2nd day, your just tired.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

To the OP, you must explain the presence of games in which we haven't fallen behind, then. And how many of the games you do point out did we eventually win? You can't pick the stats you want and not explain what the mean in broader context.

Eventually winning is fine, in fact it's FANTASTIC to have a clutch QB like Russell that has ice in his veins and can lead us to numerous come from behind victories each year, and in the playoffs.

But that doesn't change the fact that this team and it's coach has a terminal issue with not starting games fast and crisp, and relies on playing almost perfect football to win games late.

Why can't we have it BOTH ways? Start fast AND have a good come from behind mindset and QB?

 

[12thbrah]

I blame the playcalling. Regardless of opponent they like to use the same script to start every game and won't make any adjustments till halftime.

The Hawks could have easily played up tempo to start the game and negate the Panthers pass rush. I hate the Patriots but they sure do know how to put together a good game plan every week.

 

[Optimus25]

To the OP, you must explain the presence of games in which we haven't fallen behind, then. And how many of the games you do point out did we eventually win? You can't pick the stats you want and not explain what the mean in broader context.

Eventually winning is fine, in fact it's FANTASTIC to have a clutch QB like Russell that has ice in his veins and can lead us to numerous come from behind victories each year, and in the playoffs.

But that doesn't change the fact that this team and it's coach has a terminal issue with not starting games fast and crisp, and relies on playing almost perfect football to win games late.

Why can't we have it BOTH ways? Start fast AND have a good come from behind mindset and QB?

Because then we would dominate the league in such a fashion it would be neither sportsman nor fun.

 

[TheLegendOfBoom]

Yeah, I never liked that "You can win in the 4th quarter" deal...like football is played for 60 mins. You shouldn't all of the sudden turn up in the remaining 15.

Bunch of procrastinators!

 

[jlwaters1]

There is no straighting him out because there's nothing to straighten out. Sometimes things don't go our way. But you know what? Since Petes been here they usually do.

You're delusional dude. Then explain my thread line of being that far behind in EVERY road playoff game.

Also explain how we NEVER start fast in 90% of our regular season games. It's systemic, and it is a problem, whether you think so or not. The stats don't lie.

One could call you delusional,, The PLAYERS are responsible for the mess they've dug on the road. Do you honestly think the coaches are telling the defense to just fold in the 1st half of these games? Turnovers and Big plays surrendered have been a major issue in these road playoff games.

Example: Is it's Pete's brilliant plan and systematic failure - in ATL in the 1st or 2nd drive of the game and Lynch fumbles the ball on a promising drive, Yesterday there's a mistake on defense and a 50+ run occurs, then the next drive a miscommunication between RW and Lynch leads to a pick-6.

No it's ridiculous that people are looking too deeply into these fall behinds. The bottom line is the team isn't executing properly. That's on the players themselves. The coaches are there to put players in a position to succeed, It's the players that then must execute the plan. And far to often the players have not come through.

Now can you blame the coaches for not kicking the FG instead of going for it on 4th in the 1st half? Sure, and if they kick that, the final drive have been to the tie, it would have been an epic ending to the game.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

There is no straighting him out because there's nothing to straighten out. Sometimes things don't go our way. But you know what? Since Petes been here they usually do.

You're delusional dude. Then explain my thread line of being that far behind in EVERY road playoff game.

Also explain how we NEVER start fast in 90% of our regular season games. It's systemic, and it is a problem, whether you think so or not. The stats don't lie.

One could call you delusional,, The PLAYERS are responsible for the mess they've dug on the road. Do you honestly think the coaches are telling the defense to just fold in the 1st half of these games? Turnovers and Big plays surrendered have been a major issue in these road playoff games.

Example: Is it's Pete's brilliant plan and systematic failure - in ATL in the 1st or 2nd drive of the game and Lynch fumbles the ball on a promising drive, Yesterday there's a mistake on defense and a 50+ run occurs, then the next drive a miscommunication between RW and Lynch leads to a pick-6.

No it's ridiculous that people are looking too deeply into these fall behinds. The bottom line is the team isn't executing properly. That's on the players themselves. The coaches are there to put players in a position to succeed, It's the players that then must execute the plan. And far to often the players have not come through.

Now can you blame the coaches for not kicking the FG instead of going for it on 4th in the 1st half? Sure, and if they kick that, the final drive have been to the tie, it would have been an epic ending to the game.

Show me a team, and I'll show you players playing in the mold of their head coach.

Of course it's the players on the field who ultimately are responsible for winning and losing. But that doesn't mean what I'm talking about isn't true.................and there's a 4-5 year history of playing like utter garbage in first halves of regular AND playoff games that prove me right.

That's not the players, it's how the players are coached. It's Pete's philosophy.

 

[johnnyfever]

I don't think the issue is with Petes mantra. The issue comes down to a poor gameplan that is not changed until halftime. This falls on all the coaches within the gameplan, not on a soundbite meant to keep a team from quitting.

In my opinion, they should start with a short passing game, maybe 1 run, 2 short passes. NO PASSES BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE TO START OUT! I cannot stand caught in the backfield bubble screens that Bevell loves. Wait until they have to move defenders in to stop the success of our short passes, then take it outside. SPREAD OUT THE DEFENSE! We run a lot of bunched up plays for out routes to the sideline. If the defense is already on the line near russ, they bring 5 or 6 fast on the blitz and those routes to the sideline never happen because russ is smothered. Our line cant tell if the blitz is coming because our receivers are too close to the OL, so a blitz appears as man coverage.

Up the tempo. The defense is going to come out with a gameplan as well, so put the pressure on them to not have the time to make the adjustments. We have an issue with running the play clock to 0. Keep the defense on its heals and with no time to adjust.

When we come out and hand it off first play, try a long route 2nd play that never has time to develop due to the line collapsing, then run or try to force a pass on 3rd and long it doesn't work.

Our weakest link is our OL. Take the pressure off them. Hoping they create a hole for a run, or can pass block for 5 seconds for a long route to develop is unrealistic. Make it simple on our weakest link. Pass protect for 2 seconds. 2 hot routes and one intermediate. Close crossing patterns to throw off man coverage. Force them into zone. Send out one long route that breaks inside fairly soon to make sure it draws the safety to keep the short and intermediate routes as open as they can be. If the free safety doesn't bite, and the line somehow does hold, then you still have that big play possibility. NO EMPTY BACKFIELD. You will have a running back in the backfield to pick up any extra rushers or someone that breaks through to give russ some time. They also have to stay closer to the line to defend against the rush.

Confuse them with pre snap alignment. Keep spread out, and run several different plays from the same look presnap. Anything you can do to keep them having to guess or play zone due to lack of information. When they are spread sideline to sideline, they have to man up. They will rush 4, have 4 in man coverage, free safety back as our long route takes off and breaks to the center. That leaves 3 guys. The strong safety usually hangs near the line to spy russ. Lockett and Baldwin are fast enough to get ahead of their assigned coverage, leaving the 2 left in zone to protect. We burned teams this second half of the season this way consistently. Once they get burned a few times this way, they will hang back a bit. Use the exact same formation, but run it on them. They will recognize the formation and hang back to cover the seam, opening up the run.

Tempo and multiple plays from the same formation severely limits a defenses ability to adjust. Teams kill us with the dink and dunk stuff using this exact strategy. We then adopted it after the buy this year, but for some reason abandoned it during the playoffs until after halftime.

It is a breakdown of X and 0's, not a locker room mantra that causes these problems. It would be great if it was just locker room soundbites that were the problem, but it is not. Composing a new rahrah cheer is not going to fix the flaws in gameplanning. The reality of having a subpar OL makes it a neccesity to keep it easy for them coming out of the gate.

 

[kearly]

I feel like every one of these cases can be explained though.

2010: 28-0 vs Chicago.

This was quietly one of the most important Seahawks games ever played, because it taught Pete the value of building a press man coverage scheme. Chicago's DBs pressed and mauled and held Seattle's receivers in a way that would have drawn 15 flags today, but with the emphasis not being there in 2010, they got away with murder and jumped up 28-0 by the time Seattle was able to adjust to it.

A few months later, Pete Carroll drafted Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell in the late rounds and began copying Chicago's blueprint for press coverage. We all know the results since then.

2012: 14-0 vs Washington.

Washington had two good drives to start the game, and that was it. Seattle adjusted more quickly to the read option in that game than most NFL teams had that season. By halftime, Seattle was barely trailing, 14-13.

The Redskins had won 7 in a row going into that game.

2013: 20-0 vs Atlanta.

10am starts don't actually impact visiting offenses at all, but they do impact defenses. Atlanta connected on some big plays and Seattle's defense got their ass kicked by an old RB who was just about out of the league. The next week, Atlanta played SF at 11am, a full hour later, and jumped out on SF 17-0. 10am starts matter, especially when facing a good offense in their building.

Seattle's offense moved the ball well in the first half, but found ways not to score thanks to a series of ill-timed gaffes by players. When Atlanta ran into their locker room, they couldn't believe they were up 20-0, since yardage wise it was actually a pretty competitive first half.

2015: 9-0 vs Minnesota.

-6 degrees at kickoff. The Vikings got to practice in it all week. Seattle could not. 'Nuff said.

2015: 31-0 vs Carolina.

This was a triple threat scenario. 10 am start vs. an elite offense, horrible field conditions that Seattle couldn't adjust to for almost half a game, and it happened against a 15-1 opponent that got 15 wins by not missing chances like these pretty much ever. Lynch's unfamiliarity with the offense may have contributed to the early pick-six as well.

Carolina seems to rely on momentum more than most teams. So does Seattle. The conditions gave Carolina an opportunity for them to bury Seattle early and they did. And though Wilson is a mentally tough QB, he's as susceptible to bad momentum as anybody.

...

The one criticism I have for Pete is that his record has shown that Seattle is not a very good team at planning for strange or unusual game situations. This is the one area that I think Bill Belichick separates himself from Pete. Granted, the Pats don't play a ton of road playoff games, but they always looked prepared when they did.

 

[Tech Worlds]

I feel like every one of these cases can be explained though.

2010: 28-0 vs Chicago.

This was quietly one of the most important Seahawks games ever played, because it taught Pete the value of building a press man coverage scheme. Chicago's DBs pressed and mauled and held Seattle's receivers in a way that would have drawn 15 flags today, but with the emphasis not being there in 2010, they got away with murder and jumped up 28-0 by the time Seattle was able to adjust to it.

A few months later, Pete Carroll drafted Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell in the late rounds and began copying Chicago's blueprint for press coverage. We all know the results since then.

2012: 14-0 vs Washington.

Washington had two good drives to start the game, and that was it. Seattle adjusted more quickly to the read option in that game than most NFL teams had that season. By halftime, Seattle was barely trailing, 14-13.

The Redskins had won 7 in a row going into that game.

2013: 20-0 vs Atlanta.

10am starts don't actually impact visiting offenses at all, but they do impact defenses. Atlanta connected on some big plays and Seattle's defense got their ass kicked by an old RB who was just about out of the league. The next week, Atlanta played SF at 11am, a full hour later, and jumped out on SF 17-0. 10am starts matter, especially when facing a good offense in their building.

Seattle's offense moved the ball well in the first half, but found ways not to score thanks to a series of ill-timed gaffes by players. When Atlanta ran into their locker room, they couldn't believe they were up 20-0, since yardage wise it was actually a pretty competitive first half.

2015: 9-0 vs Minnesota.

-6 degrees at kickoff. The Vikings got to practice in it all week. Seattle could not. 'Nuff said.

2015: 31-0 vs Carolina.

This was a triple threat scenario. 10 am start vs. an elite offense, horrible field conditions that Seattle couldn't adjust to for almost half a game, and it happened against a 15-1 opponent that got 15 wins by not missing chances like these pretty much ever. Lynch's unfamiliarity with the offense may have contributed to the early pick-six as well.

Carolina seems to rely on momentum more than most teams. So does Seattle. The conditions gave Carolina an opportunity for them to bury Seattle early and they did. And though Wilson is a mentally tough QB, he's as susceptible to bad momentum as anybody.

I guess I am not delusional then. Thanks

 

[Grahamhawker]

To the OP, you must explain the presence of games in which we haven't fallen behind, then. And how many of the games you do point out did we eventually win? You can't pick the stats you want and not explain what the mean in broader context.

Eventually winning is fine, in fact it's FANTASTIC to have a clutch QB like Russell that has ice in his veins and can lead us to numerous come from behind victories each year, and in the playoffs.

But that doesn't change the fact that this team and it's coach has a terminal issue with not starting games fast and crisp, and relies on playing almost perfect football to win games late.

Why can't we have it BOTH ways? Start fast AND have a good come from behind mindset and QB?

Couldn't agree with this more.

Use yesterday as an example of the exceptional "Jekyll-Hydism" this team shows. I don't think I need to look up the data to say that quality NFL teams simply do not allow themselves to fall behind 31-0, regardless of whether they pull off the miracle comeback(s) or not.

I love Pete, and this has been the best ride ever, but this trend indicates systematic problems that if not addressed will continue to be the albatross around the neck of a very talented team.

As Sherman put it, "We had the chance to be special again, and we didn't get it done."

I can't stop asking 'Why'?

 

[Sac]

This topic is dumb. That has nothing to do with why we fell behind.

The reasons are obvious.

1) Sub-par offensive line that gets exposed against good D-lines.

2) Down field plays, and 5 step drops against those defenses, when you should know better by now.

3) Refusal to adjust the game plan until half time.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

The one criticism I have for Pete is that his record has shown that Seattle is not a very good team at planning for strange or unusual game situations. This is the one area that I think Bill Belichick separates himself from Pete. Granted, the Pats don't play a ton of road playoff games, but they always looked prepared when they did.

It's not strange and unusual situations, it's Pete's philosophy of not worrying about what other teams do. He's arrogant and confident that his players are better than your players.

And against bad teams, that mentality works. But in the playoffs? My thread is proof that that mentality doesn't work, in each road playoff game Pete and his coordinators have had to change gameplans based on that failed philosophy.

Again pointing to Belicheat who has the utmost respect for his opponents and thus has 100 different gameplans and schemes depending on his opponents. Which is why the Patriots are the Patriots.............running 30 times in one game, and not running until the 3rd quarter in others.

Pete doesn't do that, he just sticks his head in the sand, says we're better and doesn't change.......................until he HAS to. Which is in the 2nd half when we're behind.

Why not come out and throw the ball all over the place with dizzying pass plays, misdirection, etc? Nope, let's just run, run, pass and punt for two wasted quarters until Pete lets Russell take over. It's arrogance, pure and simple.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

This topic is dumb. That has nothing to do with why we fell behind.

The reasons are obvious.

1) Sub-par offensive line that gets exposed against good D-lines.

2) Down field plays, and 5 step drops against those defenses, when you should know better by now.

3) Refusal to adjust the game plan until half time.

You explained one game, I explained ALL the games.............including regular season games where we seemingly always come out flat, predictable and conservative.

If you don't see that, then you're not paying attention. It's real.

 

[seahawks08]

This topic is dumb. That has nothing to do with why we fell behind.

The reasons are obvious.

1) Sub-par offensive line that gets exposed against good D-lines.

2) Down field plays, and 5 step drops against those defenses, when you should know better by now.

3) Refusal to adjust the game plan until half time.

And they were fresh after a bye and we were beat down after a brutal frigid cold the previous week. I was at the game in Minnesota, it was brutally cold, I was frost bit in the first 15 minutes with all the layered clothing. I know winning in the road is possible, but you can't sustain playing on the road all the way, you are a tad bit slower, you are a tad bit gassed out, it happens, it is human body, it needs time to recover, there is no second guessing about it.

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

I really don't think it has anything to do with Pete's mantra about winning games in the 4th quarter although it sure feels that way on the road doesn't it?

I think it has more to do with insufficient game plans to start the game and we get behind early then either make the appropriate adjustments or simply put it Russell's hands and let him work his magic.

When we opened up on offense if the traditional 2 tight end set with a full back and Marshawn I knew we were in trouble.
The Panthers have a terrific middle of the defense and their weakness (if they have one) is their secondary (minus Norman of course), so I was thinking that we would come out in the spread formation and let Russell do his thing right from the start.

But no

Waited till we were 31 down before doing it.

So my opinion is that we just have inferior game plans to start a game, especially on the road but I do believe we've done this at home as well.

This. Very poor approach to offense in the first half yesterday.