Photo by Neal D

The first half of this season was filled with questions about Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense. Week in and week out, the offense struggled to put up points and finished dead last in passing yardage.

Fans began to question Wilson. Some believed Matt Flynn was a better option. Others (myself included) criticized the coaching staff for limiting the rookie quarterback so much and not giving him the chance to open up the offense. There were a lot of different opinions on how to fix the Seahawks offense, but there was a definite consensus that it needed fixing.

Maybe everyone panicked more because the Seahawks were playing so well in all other areas. When a team is ranked in the top 10 in all defensive categories and is in the top 10 in rushing, a 32nd ranked passing game stands out as the obvious problem area.

We could see that the defense was playing phenomenally and winning games, but sometimes in tough road or division games, that’s not enough. You have to score points, and not just field goals, touchdowns! It didn’t feel like the offense was progressing quickly enough. Fans grew tired of Coach Carroll’s “keep a lid” on the rookie mentality, but he stood by his plan, and now it appears that it’s paying off.

With the exception of a dismal performance against the 49ers in Week 7, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense have really found a rhythm over the last four weeks. Marshawn Lynch has been spectacular, but he always is. The real difference has been establishing a true balance between the pass and the run. Wilson has looked more comfortable in the pocket but can scramble when necessary. He has gone from throwing 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in the first five games to throwing 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the last four. He has also been spreading the ball around more, with Baldwin, Tate, Rice and Miller all catching touchdown passes in that four game span.

The win over Minnesota last week saw Wilson post his third game this season with a QB rating of 110 or higher. Russell Wilson has really taken command of this offense, and people are taking notice. Gone is the talk of Wilson being too small, or Flynn being a better option. The current talk surrounding Russell Wilson is about an impressive young rookie quarterback with a great arm who’s been nearly impossible to sack. It’s about an athlete who is not only playing well for a rookie quarterback, he’s playing well period, and there is no question about that.

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Written by Maura

I grew up in a military family, so we moved around a lot. It makes it hard to really say where I’m from. But there was never any question as to what sports teams I would be a fan of. My father was born and raised in Boston and is a sports fanatic. I remember growing up watching the Celtics, Bruins, Patriots, and Red Sox with him all the time. I really developed a love for sports, especially football! Now, I live in Seattle, where I am finishing up a communications degree. I am pursuing a career in sports broadcasting. I have been lucky enough to do a couple of amazing internships in Colorado where I got to interview the Air Force Football team, attend Bronco games and press conferences, and co-host a weekly Monday Night Football pre-game radio show. Currently, I am interning for a Seattle sports radio station. I have really grown to love the football fan culture here. They know their stuff, and support the Seahawks no matter what! While, I will always be a Patriots fan, I am rooting for the Seahawks. I think they are turning a corner, after many disappointing seasons, and I am excited and eager to follow them.