The Seahawks didn't want to try to let the Panthers back into the game last weekend, turning what looked like a blowout into a one-score game in the final minutes. But while they would have preferred to have closed out that 30-24 victory a little stronger, the Seahawks were able to gain some valuable experience in those final minutes when the Panthers turned a 30-10 game into a tight finish.
A defense that was missing six starters by the end of the game, including captain and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, had to figure out how to operate with so many young players on the field. And no, the results weren't great, but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has pointed out a couple of times this week that those young players will be better for that experience. Seattle offense, meanwhile, was put into a situation where it was asked to close out a one-possession game in the final minutes, and did so, despite some penalties, with a combination of Chris Carson runs and a clutch Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett conversion on third-and-11.
"I love close games," Carroll said. "I think they help you. They make you stronger. They keep you in the game longer. They make you have to focus farther, and it prepares you for more kinds of things that can happen that you need background and experience in. It would really be OK if we could win by a lot sometimes. That'd be fun. (But) this is this season. These seasons write a story and that's kind of the story of what's been going on all year long. We're certainly not trying to let them back into it. That's not the idea. I think it's only going to help us. I think all of the young guys that have been through those games, they're not tensing up. They're not worried about what's going to happen next. Just keep thinking we're going to find a way. That's powerful. It really supports what the experienced guys have been around and how they think. It's just the way it is. I'm sorry for the fans. Like I've said before, you've got to suck it up and enjoy the wins. Sometimes, they just come out later than you want."
Carroll has always been comfortable in these tense moments, as has quarterback Russell Wilson, but this year has been particularly nerve-wracking for fans, even by Seahawks standards. With Sunday's win in Charlotte, the Seahawks improved to 10-1 in games decided by 8 points or fewer, making them just the second team, along with the 1978 Houston Oilers, to win 10 one-score games in a season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Seahawks have won close games because it was a tight, back-and-forth battle throughout, they've won close games because they fell behind early by double digits and had to come back, and they've won close games where they let big leads slip away late.
And again, this isn't by design for the Seahawks, but it should come in handy in the postseason when every team is really good and so many games come down to the final few possessions.
"I think that's the most valuable thing that you can do is, learn how to win in different scenarios," Wagner said. "… That's where you get your confidence, you grow your confidence as you get to the end of the season and get to the playoff run. You have those games where you're down 10 or down seven and when you've been in that situation so many times, you believe in yourself, you believe in your team that you're going to pull it out. I think that's what you learn the most from those situations; is having the confidence. You have as much time that's left, and you can win the game no matter what's on there, because we've had some pretty crazy wins these last few years I've been here."
Added linebacker K.J. Wright, "I think it'll help us a whole lot. It's definitely nerve-wracking (for fans), I get it. When you're blowing out somebody and they get withing one score with plenty of time left, it's not a good feeling, but it'll help us out, because we know that in the playoffs, most games are going to be decided under seven or 10 points. So you need that adversity, you need that confidence to know that you can get the job done. It's going to pay off in the long run."
Wagner noted that all of these high-pressure finishes are particularly valuable for a team that relies on so many young players on both sides of the ball.
"I think it's really important, because there are a lot of young guys that haven't been in these situations so their brain is kind of going crazy," Wagner said. "They are thinking, all right, these last few minutes have to be different than what the rest of the game was. These plays are a little bit more significant, but they're still the same plays that we were seeing. They're not going to change their whole offense for the last two minutes of the game. It's just kind of getting everybody to relax and recognize the formation and make your plays when they come to you. I think everybody just needs reminders, and that's what I feel like me and Russell are."
As Wagner points out, it falls on players like him, Wilson, Wright, left tackle Duane Brown and other veterans to make sure their less experienced teammates are in the right state of mind in tense, late-game situations, and Carroll pointed right to the poise of Seattle's veteran players when asked why his team has won so many close games this season.
"I think we're a poised team," Carroll said. "I think it comes right from Russell and Bobby. I think those guys on the field make other guys stay within themselves and not get scattered and continue to help us execute. It means really, the leadership that those guys offer, I would go right to that. We're never out of anything. We don't ever feel like that. To be like that and extend that message, you have to come across with poise or guys aren't going to listen to you and it's not going to have the effect. We have really good leadership. I would like to think that's a big part of it."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Friday afternoon, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner walks to the team buses wearing a Jackson State sweatshirt. Wagner honors Historically Black College and Universities each week.
12s wave to the departing convoy of buses as the team leaves the Virginia Mason Athletic Center headed for Sea-Tac International Airport for the flight to Charlotte.
Seahawks Shaquill Griffin and Travis Homer walk the stairs up to the teamÕs charter plane.
The Seahawks were treated by a steady rain upon landing In Charlotte, N.C., near midnight on Friday.
On Saturday afternoon, the players, including running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise, descended an escalator to head to the team's walk-thru.
The Seahawks welcomed Ashton Vinson, a passionate 12 who is battling cancer, to participate in the team's walk-thru on Saturday.
Led by offensive linemen D.J. Fluker, Mike Iupati and Joey Hunt, young Ashton Vinson looks for more running room at the team's Saturday walk-thru.
Ashton Vinson, a Make-a-Wish visitor to the Seahawks walk-thru, high-fives receiver Tyler Lockett during the Saturday walkthru prior to Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Young cancer patient and Make-a-Wish guest Ashton Vinson takes a handoff from Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the team's Saturday walk-thru.
Make-a-Wish guest Ashton Vinson 'breaks down' the team's huddle at the end of walk-thru.
On Sunday, 12s waiting near the team's hotel for a glimpse of the players heading to the buses were greeted by a visit from Santa, who shook hands and gave high-fives to the fans.
12s wait for a glimpse of their favorite players as the Seahawks headed to the buses for the ride to the stadium on Sunday morning.
Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton heads to the bus wearing his signature cowboy hat.
Big men George Fant, D.J. Fluker and Duane Brown head to the buses on game day.
Head coach Pete Carroll greets 12s who lined up to see the team depart the hotel for the stadium on game day.
Seahawks receiver Malik Turner catches passes in the morning sunshine during the early warmup period.
Seahawks defensive back Ugo Amadi warms up before the game.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner fires up the team before they leave the visitor's locker room to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson throws deep for receiver Tyler Lockett for a 44-yard completion.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett catches a deep ball thrown by Russell Wilson in the first quarter for a 44-yard gain.
Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise finds space as he reaches the second level of the Panthers defense.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf leaps high above the Carolina defender to bring in a 19-yard touchdown to give Seattle an early 13-0 lead.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett waits for the ball to reach him on a 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
SeattleÕs Tyler Lockett falls into the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Seahawks defenders Rasheem Green and Quinton Jefferson sack Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson finds running room thanks to blocks by Germain Ifedi and David Moore.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner leaps to corral airborne Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in the second quarter.
At halftime quarterbacks Geno Smith and Russell Wilson listen to assistant coach Nate Carroll in the locker room.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt talks to his players in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson finds open space up the left side during the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald breaks up a pass intended for Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright intercepts a Kyle Allen pass in the third quarter.
Seahawks defensive players Marquise Blair, Tre Flowers, Akeem King, Cody Barton, Branden Jackson, Lano Hill and K.J. Wright celebrate Wright's third quarter interception.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen is hit as he throws by Seattle's Jarran Reed, resulting in an interception in the third quarter.
Seattle's K.J. Wright returns his second interception of the third quarter, caused in part by teammate Jarran Reed's hit on Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen.
Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari talks to his players including Germain Ifedi, D.J. Fluker and Duane Brown on the team's sideline.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright stands up Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive back Ugo Amadi tries to intercept a tipped pass in the fourth quarter, but the ball was knocked away by CarolinaÕs Christian McCaffrey resulting in an incomplete pass.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson gained 133 yards on the afternoon, helped on this play by blocks from teammates Mike Iupati and Germain Ifedi.
Seahawks linemen Duane Brown and D.J. Fluker bulldoze the Panthers defense, allowing Chris Carson to score on a six-yard touchdown.
SeattleÕs Malik Turner celebrates in the end zone after Chris Carson scored on a six-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll congratulates players Germain Ifedi and Ethan Pocic.
Seahawks defenders Cody Barton and Lano Hill converge on Panthers receiver DJ Moore.
SeattleÕs Tyler Lockett cradles a 14-yard pass on 3rd-and-11 for a key first down in the fourth quarter, allowing the Seahawks to run out the clock on a 30-24 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Seahawks C.J. Prosise, Russell Wilson and Chris Carson smile as they prepare to run out the clock in the fourth quarter.
12s packed the stands in Carolina to watch the Seahawks face the Panthers.
Safety Bradley McDougald runs to visit with Seahawks fans sitting behind the teamÕs bench after the game.
Seahawks receiver David Moore playfully rubs the head of former teammate and current Panthers running back Mike Davis after the game.
12s line the first row of seats to watch the Seahawks face the Panthers.
The Seahawks gather in the locker room after the win over the Panthers.
Seahawks DK Metcalf and Jaron Brown wait to board the team charter for the return flight to Seattle.
Seahawks players including Russell Wilson and coaches including Pete Carroll erupt in cheers in the airplane cabin as they find out that they clinched a playoff spot after watching games via laptop before the team took off for the return flight to Seattle.
Upon arrival back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, these faithful 12s were waiting to greet the team.
