Frustration on the rise for Seahawks
For all the success through the years, there is an indisputable fact Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll and the rest of the Seahawks more veteran players can’t avoid.
Since the Seahawks loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl in February 2015, their playoff performances have been complete failuresby theirownstandards.
It’s now been six years since the Seahawks won more than one game in a single postseason. The Seahawks have failed to advance beyond the divisional roundsince that lastSuperBowlappearance following the 2014 season. NoNFC championship game appearances. No chances at getting back to playing for a title.
The latest abrupt playoff exit may be the most troubling following Saturday’s 30- 20 loss to the Rams. After getting outcoached and outplayed by their division foe, the Seahawks are unexpectedly headed into an important offseason sooner than anyone expected.
“Out of all the years since we lost to New England, I thought that this year was our best chance in going,” Seahawks linebacker K. J. Wright said on Sunday. “I truly felt likewe had all the pieces. We had all the confidence in theworld to go back, and12- 4 that’s a reallygoodseason. It’s just unfortunate that yesterday was just one of them days.”
It’s the second time in three seasons theSeahawkswere oustedfromthe postseason in the wild- cardroundafter losing in the 2018 playoffs to the Cowboys.
In the five playoff appearances since losing in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks have a 3- 5 record.
Most franchises would be thrilled to have thatmany playoffappearances. But for the Seahawks, it’s a continual run of what they see as missed opportunity.
“We got to be better. We got to find ways to win these type of matchups,” Wilson said. “Frustration? I mean, yeah, of course I’m frustrated.”
In previous seasons, there seemed to be an understanding or justification for why playoff runs fell short of reaching their full potential.
A year ago, there was a feeling of optimism after losing in the divisional round to the Packers when the visiting Seahawks were so depleted by injuries at the key position of running back that Marshawn Lynch was brought out of retirement to carry the load.
That wasn’t the case in the aftermath of Saturday. Optimism was scarce. Left in its place was confusion about what happened and what the path is going forwardafter the Seahawksmortgaged a significantamountof its futureby acquiring Jamal Adams and Carlos Dunlap to win this season.
“We got tomake that next step. I think this is part of the process, to figure out this offseason along the way, and how we can do that and do whatever it takes,” Wilson said.
Heinicke impresses: Undrafted, unheralded Taylor Heinicke took on big, bad TomBrady — who had no idea who the QB out of Old Dominionwas when they briefly were teammates a few years ago — and, while the end result went about as expected, a head- first dive for a TD sure captured everyone’s attention and imagination.
About 24 hours after finding out he would play quarterback for Washington against Brady’s Buccaneers in an NFC wild- card game because of Alex Smith’s injured calf, Heinicke got off to a rather inauspicious beginning. Making his first NFL start since 2018— and only second ever— Heinicke sawhis first pass get dropped. His third hit the turf near a receiver’s feet. The fifthwas picked off.
Seemed about right. So did the final score Saturday night: Brady’s Bucs 31, Heinicke’sWashington 23.
“People have askedmewhat it felt like going up against the ‘ GOAT,’ TomBrady. I didn’t really think about it,” Heinicke said. “I’m proud of myself and happy that coaches believed inme. Hopefully I deserve tobe inthis league a little longer.”
Eventually, Heinicke got going and gaveWashington a chance, which was all he, coach Ron Rivera and his teammates could have asked for under these circumstances.
“It was gutsy. It really was,” Rivera said about the jobHeinicke did. “... He’s created an opportunity for himself.”
AfterHeinicke’s stretch- for- the- pylon 8- yardTDrunpulledWashington within two points late in the third quarter, he was surrounded by enthusiastic teammates. Young shouted while pointing at the burgundy letters forming the name onthe back of theQB’sNo. 4white jersey and looking into aTVcamera.
Folkswhowerewatching fromafar got excited, too, including a tweet fromreigning leagueMVPPatrickMahomes.
Although that play briefly sent Heinicke to the locker roomwith a separated shoulder, he returned without missing an offensive snap forWashington. His11- yardTDpass toStevenSimsJr. brought theNFCEastchampionswithin 28- 23. But itwasn’t enough.
Heinicke finished 26 of 44 for 306 yards, oneTDpassandoneinterception, along with six carries for a team- leading 46 yards and a score.