Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Wednesday, Dec. 16 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Ranking The NFL's Best Pass Rushers
In an Insider feature at ESPN.com, former NFL safety and current staff writer Matt Bowen put together a list of the Top 10 pass rushers in the League, identifying players who "consistently impact protection schemes and put the quarterback on the ground."
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril comes in at No. 10 on Bowen's list, behind the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (No. 1), Denver Broncos' Von Miller (No. 2), Oakland Raiders' Khalil Mack (No. 3), Kansas City Chiefs' Justin Houston (No. 4), St. Louis Rams' Aaron Donald (No. 5), New York Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson (No. 6), Cincinnati Bengals' Geno Atkins (No. 7), New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan (No. 8), and Detroit Lions' Ezekiel Ansah (No. 9).
Here's what Bowen had to say about Avril, whose 7.5 sacks rank second to Michael Bennett's 8.5 on Seattle's defense, which as a whole ranks No. 2 in the NFL, allowing 307.8 yards per game.
Avril must have one of the best 10-yard splits in the league based on his get-off. Like Miller, Avril can often blow past offensive tackles before they really even get into a pass set. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Avril has the frame and athletic ability of a prototypical 4-3 rush end with the violent hands on contact to slap down and create a positive angle. That's why we see him attack the edge of blockers so often. Plus, he is a perfect fit for Seattle's defense, which wins with speed. You want to shut down Avril? Find an offensive tackle who can get back off the ball and a running back who isn't afraid to chip on the edge.
Signature Move: The speed rush. Blockers know it's coming. And they still can't stop it.
Tweet Of The Day
https://twitter.com/si_nfl/status/677140972589998080
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Sports Illustrated, which teases a Q&A session with Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett that's set to appear in the magazine's Dec. 21 issue.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle discusses quarterback Russell Wilson's MVP chances in his latest Twitter Q&A with 12s, recaps a series of Tuesday roster moves that included the club officially placing running back Thomas Rawls on injured reserve, and details a statistic that head coach Pete Carroll is particularly proud of.
Here's five ways the Seahawks can clinch a spot in the postseason this Sunday.
Here's a look at how the Seahawks' NFC West rivals fared in Week 14, when the Arizona Cardinals (11-2) clinched a playoff berth.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver Tyler Lockett are up for weekly honors at NFL.com after their performances against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner presented Lake Stevens senior quarterback Jacob Eason with the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award on Tuesday.
Eighteen different Seahawks helped spread the holiday spirit at two local hospitals last week.
Jayson Jenks at the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' improvement along the offensive line has been a key part of the team's recent surge.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times takes a look at how the Seahawks' 2015 statistics compare to previous years.
Gregg Bell at the Tacoma News Tribune catches up with Tacoma native, Wilson High graduate, and former Washington State Cougars standout defensive lineman Xavier Cooper, who will face his hometown team this Sunday as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com shares three things we learned and three things we're still trying to figure out from Sunday's Seahawks win at Baltimore.
Eric Mandel at 710Sports.com recaps a recent radio conversation with Seahawks veteran running back Fred Jackson, who says he's ready for an increased workload with Thomas Rawls out for the year and Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) still on the mend.
Steve Rudman at SportsPressNW.com says Seattle's Russell Wilson is playing quarterback about as well as it can be played.
ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando ranks the League's Top 10 defenses, and the Seahawks come in at No. 4.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com identifies five numbers that help explain Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's historic stretch and labels defensive back DeShawn Shead as the team's best athlete.
Week 14 proved to be another successful business trip for the Seahawks and team photographer Rod Mar shares some of his favorite moments from the weekend, including Coach Carroll's viral photo atop of the team lockers postgame.

Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin represent their former college team, Pac-12 champion Stanford Cardinal on the way to the bus for the trip to Baltimore to face the Ravens.

Quarterback Russell Wilson steps off the Delta charter flight upon arrival in Baltimore late Friday evening.

The Seahawks were greeted with sunny and warm weather in Baltimore. Receiver Jermaine Kearse and defensive back walked to the buses for walk thru.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and quarterbacks coach Carl Smith review strategy while waiting for the start of walk thru at a local field near downtown Baltimore.

The mythical holiday of "Festivus" doesn't take place until December 23, but that didn't stop fullback Will Tukuafu and quarterback Russell Wilson from engaging in a "feat of strength" at walk thru. Each grabbed one and of a football and tried to wrestle form the other under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Russell Wilson and Will Tukuafu engage of round two of their football gripping game during walk thru on Saturday.

Receiver Kevin Smith shows off his handstand skills as offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy does his best impression of kicker Steven Hauschka.

At a brief visit to M&T Stadium, site of the game, quarterback Russell Wilson tossed footballs outside of the locker room.

Richard Sherman, assistant coach Nate Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell chat as they walk onto the turf at M&T Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday morning, a bevy of fans waited outside of the team hotel to get a glimpse of the players and coaches boarding buses for the game.

Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman head down an escalator to the buses while a fan sneaks a photo from behind a column.

Wide receivers Tyler Lockett, Kasen Williams, Douglas McNeill III and Antwan Goodley take reps during early pregame warmups.

Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, sporting his distinctive mouth guard, warms up before the game.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin lets out a yell during early pregame warmups with teammates Mike Morgan, Bobby Wagner and Eric Pinkins.

Quarterback Russell Wilson waits near a pile of footballs to make his throws during the early warmup period. Tight ends Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet are at far right.

Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor lead the defensive backs onto the field for pregame.

Richard Sherman fires up the defensive backs in their pregame huddle on the field at M&T Stadium.

Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam sits alone at his locker before taking the field to face the Ravens.

Earl Thomas folds his hands behind his back during the playing of the national anthem before kickoff.

Defensive end Michael Bennett lets out a yell after sacking Ravens quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the first quarter.

Running back Thomas Rawls takes off through a hole in the right side created in part by Garry Gilliam (79) and Patrick Lewis (65) during the first quarter. Rawls rushed for 44 yards on six carries before leaving with an injury.

Seahawks Doug Baldwin and Fred Jackson celebrate with teammate Tyler Lockett after Lockett scored Seattle's first touchdown of the game.


Seattle's defense was stingy once again, limiting the Ravens to 28 yards rushing. K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Kelcie McCray and Frank Clark combine to stop Baltimore's Javorius Allen.

Seahawks rookie receiver Tyler Lockett continued his fine play, leaping high to make a one-handed catch in front of Baltimore's Kyle Arrington in the second quarter.

Cornerback DeShawn Shead breaks up a pass intended for the Ravens' Chris Givens.

Michael Bennett doesn't let go of Baltimore's Javorius Allen and K.J. Wright finished the tackle.

Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after the first of Baldwin's three touchdowns on the day.

At halftime, defensive coordinator Kris Richard talks to his players with defensive line coach Travis Jones.

On the other side of the locker room, Tom Cable addressed the offense.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell consults with tight ends coach Pat McPherson and offensive assistant Will Harrier.

In another corner of the locker room, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson listen to position coach Carl Smith.

Back on the field, Seattle's offensive line was getting it done in both the rushing and passing games. From left are center guard J.R. Sweezy, Patrick Lewis, fullback Will Tukuafu, guard Justin Britt and tackle Russell Okung.

Tight end Luke Willson leaps over a defender for a first down in the third quarter.

On the sidelines, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell checks in with receivers Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin.

Richard Sherman attempts to head upfield after intercepting a pass intended for Ravens receiver and former Seahawk Chris Matthews, but Matthew grabs him by the hair and doesn't let go.

Quarterback Russell Wilson found himself with plenty of space and time in the pocket once again, and turned that advantage into five touchdown passes which sets a team single-game record.

Jermaine Kearse heads up the sidelines with a 20-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Kearse had seven catches for 74 yards in the win.

Receiver Doug Baldwin points skyward after scoring his third touchdown of the game, this one on a 16-yard reception from quarterback Russell Wilson.

Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his third touchdown with tight end Cooper Helfet in the end zone.

Derrick Coleman sprints upfield for a 19-yard gain as teammates Cooper Helfet and Garry Gilliam seal off Baltimore defenders.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner is all smiles on the sidelines late in the 35-6 victory over the Ravens and once again the defense did not allow a touchdown.

After the game, former teammates Chris Matthews and Richard Sherman share a laugh. Earlier in the game, Matthews tackled Sherman after an interception by grabbing his braids.

In the Seahawks postgame locker room, Kam Chancellor chats with Richard Sherman and Russell Okung.

The visitors locker room in Baltimore is divided by a wall of lockers so Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll did the only thing he could in order to be seen by all the players -- he spoke to them from atop the lockers.

The Seahawks deplane their Delta charter flight in Seattle after winning their second consecutive road game.
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