Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, December 27 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Second-year Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe is breaking out at the right time - and helping Seattle in its quest to secure a playoff berth.
On Sunday, Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe recorded two sacks to help Seattle achieve a 20-17 comeback victory on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Leonard Solms of ESPN breaks down Mafe’s growth in Year 2, and why it can lead the 8-7 Seahawks back to another playoff berth.
In November, Mafe set a Seahawks franchise record with a sack in seven consecutive games after recording just three sacks last season as a rookie. But prior to Sunday's win, Mafe hadn't recorded a sack in his previous five contests as teams began putting more attention on the second-year outside linebacker. The University of Minnesota alum ended the brief sack drought at a crucial time for Seattle, as Sunday's win put the Seahawks back in control of their playoff destiny with two weeks remaining. Solms, highlights the league’s NFL Africa initiative, with players representing dozens of countries across the continent, breaks down why the second-year pass rusher of Nigerian descent earns the African Player of the Week honor.
Mafe, who is of Nigerian descent, was a menace to Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill throughout the duration of the Seahawks' narrow win and saved his best moments of the game for precisely the points at which they were most needed. Mafe restricted Tannehill's options throughout the game, doing a superb job of making his presence felt. The Titans still led 10-3 on the verge of halftime when Mafe made his first sack of the game -- a timely reminder that the Seahawks were not willing to submit without a titanic tussle. In the second half, the Seahawks began to claw their way back before they finally took the lead in the fourth quarter. Mafe then finished the second half as he did the first -- making another sack on Tannehill with under a minute left on the clock to help preserve the Seahawks' narrow 20-17 lead. The former Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker, who was the 40th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has nine sacks this season -- triple his tally from his rookie campaign. The Seahawks went 8-7 and cemented their favorites tag for a Wild Card spot as Mafe's heroics overshadowed those of compatriot Chigoziem Okonkwo, who scored a touchdown for the Titans in the same game.
Mafe is catching fire at the absolute best time for Seattle and himself - while breaking down doors for Nigerian athletes looking to follow in his footsteps.
Social Post Of The Day
NFL Analyst and Up and Adams Kay Adams highlights Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith's play in Week 16's 20-17 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans.
More From Around The Web
Adam Jude of the Seattle Times: What to know about the Seahawks’ Week 17 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Looking back at the Seahawks’ 2013 Super Bowl season: Week 16 vs. Cardinals.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Russell Wilson may be gone, but the Seahawks are keeping their late-game magic alive.
Mike Salk of Seattle Sports 710AM: Salk: Seahawks’ final 2 games pivotal beyond their ’23 playoff hopes.
Adam Lewis of Seattle Sports 710AM: Pete Carroll praises Seahawks pass rush that leads NFC in sacks.
Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports 710AM: Rost: What stands out about Seahawks after getting back over .500.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett has fun with linebacker and Seahawks Man of the Year nominee Bobby Wagner as the duo heads to the buses for the trip to Tennessee.
The Seahawks boarded their Delta Charter amid clearing skies.
Seahawk Darrell Taylor boards the Delta charter for the flight to Nashville on Friday afternoon.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, wearing a Santa hat in the spirit of the holidays, boards the Delta charter flight to Tennessee on Friday.
The Seahawks landed in Nashville late Friday evening. Jarran Reed, Dre'Mont Jones and Mario Edwards head from the plane to the waiting buses.
On Saturday morning, running back Kenneth Walker III studied video after breakfast in the team's meal room.
At the team's Saturday walkthru, quarterbacks Geno Smith and Drew Lock reviewed the game plan with assistant quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph.
The Seahawks get pumped up led by running backs coach Chad Morton.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas checks out Nissan Stadium during the team's quick visit following walkthru.
On game day, receiver DK Metcalf headed to the team buses.
As he headed to the buses, head coach Pete Carroll greeted fans waiting outside the team hotel.
Mitchell Graff, a member of the team's equipment staff, helps check the communication system in the quarterback and linebacker helmets hours before kickoff.
Offensive linemen Raiqwon O'Neal, McClendon Curtis and Anthony Bradford during early pregame warmups.
In the visitors locker room, starting center Evan Brown talks strategy with line coach Andy Dickerson.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett gives an impassioned pregame speech to the team moments before they left the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks captains Geno Smith, Bobby Wagner, Nick Bellore and Quandre Diggs at midfield for the pregame coin toss.
Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe gets in the face (and arm) of Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf goes airborne during the first half for a long gain.
Seahawks defensive lineman Mario Edwards sacks Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill before halftime.
At halftime, offensive line coach Andy Dickerson outlines second half adjustments.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen nearly intercepts a pass in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III sprints away from a diving Tennessee defender.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett makes one of his eight catches on the day, leading all receivers.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seattle's DK Metcalf makes a one-handed juggling catch and manages to keep both feet inbounds for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner celebrates after a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
On Seattle's final drive, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a key third down pass to keep the drive alive.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson catches the game-winning touchdown on a pass from Geno Smith.
Seahawks tight ends including Will Dissy (leaping) celebrate with fellow tight end Colby Parkinson after Parkinson scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the game.
Seahawks Dre'Mont Jones and Leonard Williams sack Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the final drive of the game.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen puts a hard hit on the Titans receiver, which allowed the clock to keep running and for time to expire on Seattle's victory.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates as the sideline erupts at the final whistle of their victory over the Titans.
The many 12s amassed at Nissan Stadium cheered on their Seahawks after the win.
In the victorious locker room, head coach Pete Carroll addressed his team.
Seahawks safety Julian Love missed practice all week due to the impending birth of his first child, and flew on a private jet to Nashville on Saturday. Love made baby rocking motions as he boarded the return flight home to rejoin his wife and new baby on Christmas Eve.
Aboard the team's charter on the return flight home, Jarran Reed was already watching tape of the game he'd just played in.
Late on Christmas Eve, these 12s were waiting to greet the the team on their arrival back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
