Early in the Seahawks' Week 12 win over the Carolina Panthers, punter Michael Dickson came on to punt for the first time, and proceeded to boom a punt 62 yards. Thanks to good hang time on the kick, and good coverage led by rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin, the Panthers managed only a 5-yard return on that kick, meaning it changed field position by 57 yards.
A 62-yard kick that netted 57 yards? It almost felt routine. It has been that kind of rookie season, and in particular that kind of month for Dickson, who on Thursday was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November.
Dickson, who currently leads NFC punters in Pro-Bowl voting, already has earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season for his play in Seattle's final game of October, both for his punting performance against the Lions, and also for the bold decision to go off script and run for a first down out of his own end zone late in the game. And while November didn't feature any repeats of the play dubbed "Aussie Sweep," it did feature some of the best punting of his young career.
In four games in November, Dickson punted 16 times, averaging 53.0 yards-per-punt with a net average of 47.4 yards, both of those numbers leading the NFL for November. Five of those 16 punts were downed inside the 20 and none went into the end zone for touchbacks.
This season, Dickson has a league-best net average of 44.0, a number that would establish a new franchise record if he can maintain it or improve upon it over the final five games. Dickson's gross average of 48.6 yards ranks third in the league, which also would establish a new team record, but as Dickson's November numbers show, the Australia native seems to be getting better as the season progresses. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said some of that improvement could be related to how coaches have learned to manage his practice workload to best suit the fifth-round pick out of Texas.
"Yeah, I do think that we've learned more about him, and I think (special teams coordinator) Brian Schneider and (assistant special teams coach) Larry Izzo and those guys are working to find the right rhythm for workloads, because he's a total worker," Carroll said. "He wants to kick every day and kick a ton every day. I think they're learning more about how to rest him and how to keep him strong. That easily could be part of what's going on, because we were just having to find out early in the year. I'm hoping that we can continue to do a good job of that because he's really been a factor."
Carroll described Dickson's ability to change field position a "huge" factor in Seattle's success this season.
"This is a big part of how we're playing the game," Carroll said. "We're counting on that ball being inside or around the 10 yard line when we take over (on defense) a lot of times. Whether he's got to bomb it to get there or he's got to kick it high to get it there, he's got the ability to keep us down there and he's really been accurate. He's been a great weapon for us."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Seahawks began their trip across country late Friday afternoon, leaving their buses and waiting to board their charter flight to Charlotte, North Carolina for the game against the Panthers.
Upon arrival in Charlotte, N.C. near midnight, defensive players Jacob Martin and Tre Flowers make their way across the rainy tarmac.
The Seahawks paid a brief visit to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, where they gathered on the field for a moment before returning to their buses and a return to the team hotel in Charlotte.
Quarterback Brett Hundley is framed by an artistic light fixture at the team's hotel in Charlotte.
On game day, receiver Malik Turner was dressed to the nines as he headed for the buses.
On the morning of the game, quarterback Russell Wilson stopped to sign an autograph for a young fan on his way from the hotel to the bus.
Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin stretches on the grass at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte before facing the Panthers.
Quarterback Russell Wilson surveys the field during his early pregame warmups.
These young fans had competing interests during the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson drops back for a pass during the team portion of pregame warmups.
Back in the locker room, defensive linemen Quinton Jefferson and Nazair Jones made last minute adjustments to their uniforms before taking the field.
Linebacker Barkevious Mingo stays warm on a stationary bike in the moments before kickoff.
Quarterback Russell Wilson and center Justin Britt lead the Seahawks from the locker room to the field for pregame introductions.
Offensive guard D.J. Fluker takes a seat on the Seahawks sidelines while the home team Carolina Panthers were introduced during pregame.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson of the Seahawks and Cam Newton of the Panthers greet each other at midfield prior to the opening coin toss.
The Seahawks defense including Justin Coleman, Tedric Thomson and Frank Clark bring down Carolina's Christian McCaffrey.
The Seahawks defense including Tedric Thompson, Frank Clark, Nazair Jones, Jacob Martin and Quinton Jefferson celebrate after stopping the Panthers on fourth down on Carolina's opening drive of the game.
On Carolina's second drive, Nazair Jones posed after stopping the Panther's Christian McCaffrey for a loss of three yards, forcing a field goal.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett turns upfield on his way to a 27-yard gain in the second quarter after catching a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.
Seattle's Malik Turner gets upfield for a 17-yard gain after making his first reception in the N.F.L.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin leapt high but Russell Wilson's pass to him in the end zone sailed high.
Seattle's Chris Carson crashes into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter, led by blocks from fullback Tre Madden and center Justin Britt.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll congratulates Chris Carson after the Seahawks first touchdown of the game.
Seattle fullback Tre Madden dives for the end zone but is stopped short in the second quarter.
At halftime, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer gives instructions.
Tight ends coach Pat McPherson talks to his players Nick Vannett and Ed Dickson in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald uses his off-arm to tip away a pass intended for Carolina's Chris Manhertz in the end zone.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald intercepts a Cam Newton pass intended for Panthers tight end Chris Manhertz, thwarting a Carolina threat in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson goes upside down after trying to leap over Carolina's Eric Reid in the third quarter. Carson landed on his feet and tried to gain further yardage after his flip.
Seahawks receiver David Moore looks for yardage after hauling in a 54-yard bomb from quarterback Russell Wilson in the third quarter.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett looks up after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson that was originally ruled down at the one-yard line but was changed to a touchdown after a replay review.
Seahawks receivers Tyler Lockett and David Moore recreate the Allen Iverson/Tyronn Lue fadeaway/stepover moment from NBA history for their celebration of Lockett's third quarter touchdown.
Seattle's Bobby Wagner and Bradley McDougald hit Carolina's Christian McCaffrey during the third quarter.
Seattle's Nick Vannett finds room to run after the catch in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks receiver David Moor trades stiff-arms with the Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn during a fourth quarter reception.
Seattle's Mike Davis goes up and through the pile for a key first down in the fourth quarter against the Panthers.
Seattle's defense forced Carolina's Christian McCaffrey to fumble at the goal line, but the ball escaped the pile into the arms of Carolina tight end Greg Olson. The Seahawks caused five fumbles by the Panthers and were unable to recover any of them.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin fakes out Carolina's Captain Munnerlyn in open field during the fourth quarter.
Facing fourth down and three yards to go, Seattle's Russell Wilson, protected by linemen D.J. Fluker, Justin Britt and J.R. Sweezy, dropped back to pass and looked downfield for receiver David Moore.
Seahawks receiver David Moore hauls in a 35-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to tie the score at 27-27 with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Carolina kicker Graham Gano missed this 52-yard field goal that would have given the Panthers the lead in the final minutes.
Seahawks linebacker Jacob Martin flies back to the sidelines after Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed a field goal in the final minutes.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett rushes to get up after making a 43-yard reception to the Carolina ten-yard line with just 45 seconds left in the game and the Seahawks with no timeouts remaining.
After two kneel downs and a quarterback spike to stop the clock, Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski hammered through a 31-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Seattle a 30-27 victory on the road.
Seahawks players including Ed Dickson, Duane Brown, and Nick Vannett celebrate with kicker Sebastian Janikowski after his game-winning field goal on the final play of the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks to his team in the locker room after the win.
With the victory, Seahawks coaches yielded their first class seats to veteran players including Germain Ifedi and Russell Wilson.
Head coach Pete Carroll took a seat behind his players and was watching game film before the plane took off from Charlotte for the long flight home.
Upon arrival back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, happy fans were waiting to greet the team buses.
