Seahawks’ loss to Falcons might have signalled the end of an era

Window slowly closing after solid 5-year run

In the past five years, the Seattle Seahawks won 56 regular-season games, claimed the NFC West title three times, won a Super Bowl and went to another. They became a consistent force at the top of the NFL, a modern dynasty by the standards of any franchise outside of New England. They were defined by aggression and noise, defiance and improvisation. They played like nobody else, but better than almost everyone.

Monday night, cornerback Richard Sherman watched from the sideline with his leg in a boot, supported by a scooter. Kam Chancellor didn’t play either, out with a neck injury. Russell Wilson scampered all over the field, desperate, keeping pace with the Atlanta Falcons’ offence by himself. Wilson led a 45-second touchdown to pull within three points. Their defence mustered a stop. Wilson pushed the ball back up the field, until seconds remained and he left a 52-yard field goal for kicker Blair Walsh. Injured Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman wheels along the sidelines during Monday night’s loss to Atlanta.

The kick looked true when it left Walsh’s toe. If it sailed through the uprights, the Seahawks would head to overtime in perhaps the most pivotal game of their season. It twirled end over end and crossed in front of the crossbar. Short.

Seattle’s 34-31 loss to the Falcons felt, in the immediate aftermath, like the last gasp of an era. Given their current injuries and future contractual considerations, the Seahawks as we know them likely will break up. Seattle’s famed Legion of Boom secondary will not play together again.

The Seahawks on Tuesday made an unexpected roster move, waiving veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney just four games after signing him to help boost their pass rush. No corresponding move was announced.

After coming up short Monday night, the Seahawks face an uphill climb to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009. At 6-4, they’re tied with the Falcons and Detroit Lions in the wild card race, but sitting behind both in tiebreakers. They have difficult games left against the Eagles and Rams at home and in Jacksonville. The NFC playoff race is loaded, and the Seahawks are on the outside of it.

To put themselves in comfortable position, the Seahawks needed a victory Monday night. They were banged up, but they were at home and playing a close competitor in the playoff race. Now, they have to play on short rest, on the road, against a 49ers team coming off a bye. Wilson’s brilliance makes anything seem possible, but the Seahawks face long odds given how injuries have ravaged their defence.

Coach Pete Carroll’s brand of optimism and boldness, maybe tinged with hopeful naivete. At the end of the first half, with seven seconds left on the clock, the Seahawks faked a 35-yard field goal, pitching to tight end Luke Willson. The Falcons diagnosed the play easily and threw Willson down behind the line. Those three points turned out to be the difference.

So often, the Seahawks have seen the unconventional work for them.

They were thrilling, and they were different and they were great. They may still be all of those things, but it’s possible the version of the Seahawks that defined this NFL era have come to an end.