NFL Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Silence Critics With Win Over Carolina Panthers

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By @calling_allfans

Russell Wilson

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks traded Percy Harvin to the New York Jets, and afterwards there was a lot of chatter in the media regarding the chemistry, or lack thereof, in the Seahawks’ locker room.

After the Harvin trade, reports began surfacing of a divided locker room. There were reports that players were divided over how they feel about QB Russell Wilson, mainly his various off-field commitments and close relationship with the Seahawks management. It’s also now being reported that RB Marshawn Lynch may be on his way out of Seattle. It may not necessarily be before the trade deadline, since fullback Derrick Coleman broke his foot in the Week 7 loss to the St. Louis Rams, but Lynch probably will not be on the team’s roster in 2015.

Reportedly, the organization has grown frustrated with Lynch because of issues such as him being a no-show at the White House Super Bowl ceremony, his holding out during training camp, his lack of speaking to the media (particularly the week leading up to last season’s Super Bowl) and him possibly contributing to the reported locker room issues. Reports have surfaced stating that Lynch is also unhappy with head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, as he has “little-to-no communication” with either. With both parties apparently unhappy with each other, it seems unlikely that Lynch will be back in Seattle in 2015.

The Seahawks took on the QB Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on the road this Sunday and Seattle beat Carolina 13-9 on Sunday. In doing so, they managed to somewhat silence the critics and reports of any issues, but they didn’t win emphatically so the media will continue to report about any and all perceived issues with the Seahawks. With the NFL being a week-to-week league and the Seahawks winning a tough game on the road, the doubters should be silenced. Unfortunately, this scrutiny comes with the territory, as they will naturally be higher profiled than they were last season.

The Seahawks came into the game ranked 12th in passing (203.7 ypg) and second in rushing (153.3 ypg). Their defense came in Sunday ranked 16th against the pass (239.0 ypg) and sixth against the rush (85.5 ypg). The Panthers came into the game ranked 12th in passing (252.1 ypg) and 27th in rushing (89.9 ypg). Carolina’s defense entered the game ranked 22nd against the pass (250.7 ypg) and 26th against the rush (137.6 ypg).

The Seahawks and Carroll were one of the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, but they came into Week 8 in third place in the NFC West, trailing the 5-1 Arizona Cardinals and 4-3 San Francisco 49ers. The reason for the slow start can be attributed to both the offensive passing game and Seattle’s inability to defend the pass as well as they did last season.

Carroll, and the players who have spoken out regarding the chemistry issues, are saying Seattle’s struggles have nothing to do with any locker room issues. There is still a lot of football left this season and anything can happen, but the Seahawks have some tough games ahead of them including two against both the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, as long as the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.

It will be difficult but if the Seahawks can grit out wins throughout the rest of the season, they could be a playoff team and possibly contend for a Super Bowl again. They showed that they can play together and make plays when they need to, but they haven’t silenced all reports of issues yet.

Wilson and company still have time to prove they have what it takes to win the Super Bowl again.

Justin Patrick is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @calling_allfans, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. You can also email him at [email protected]

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