'Hawks defy history with 24-14 win in DC

E.T. going out of this world for the interception

You couldn't have imagined an uglier start.  A Redskins fan couldn't have scripted it any better.  If you were at Carlow East, the Seahawks bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and you had stepped outside before kickoff you probably ended up missing all the action.  That's a testament to how packed it was at Carlow and how quickly the Redskins struck.  However, like they say, it's not how you start but how you finish and the Redskins dominance would be short-lived.

Much of the talk is currently swirling around Robert Griffin III and the effect his injury had on this game but make no mistake, the Seahawks deserved to win this game.  Russell Wilson has done a great job of keeping himself healthy so far in his NFL career, Robert Griffin has not.  That ended up being a huge advantage for the Seahawks and is something they and Russell Wilson should be credited for rather than having it held against them.  It's unfortunate what happened to Griffin but it's a part of the game.  If anything, Griffin and the Skins only have themselves to blame, what with the awful conditions of FedEx Field.  It not only cost the Skins their franchise quarterback but more importantly it robbed the Seahawks of Chris Clemons and probably played a huge part in the injury to Steven Hauschka.  Is player safety really an issue?  Or are the concussion lawsuits the NFL is facing the real issue when it comes to "player safety"?

Anyway, back to the game.  History would've told you to turn off your television set or to walk out of that bar when it was 14-0.  We had seen the script before and the feeling that was setting in was all too familiar.  Instead, this team made you stay tuned in and cheer your ass off.  This team is different from Seahawks teams of the past.  In the past, there's no way this team fights all the way back through all of the adversity.  The Marshawn Lynch fumble near the end zone would have been a backbreaker for Seahawks teams of lore but not these guys.  No.  They defy all Seahawks based logic.

Some guys that deserve special mention in this excellent team victory?  Zach Miller was clutch and came through with multiple huge plays in the passing game and with his blocking.  Although Russell is getting all the press, maybe deservedly so, with his block on the Marshawn TD run, it was Miller's initial block on the OLB at the line that made the run possible.  He just laid the dude out.

John Moffitt deserves a whole lot of love for replacing Sweezy, who again struggled picking up the blitz, and playing a very solid game in relief.  He made some key blocks in the running game and did an especially nice job on the 2nd 3rd down conversation to Miller.  Miller lined up in the backfield and the Redskins brought the heat, however Moffitt and co. did a great job of picking this one up and Miller was able to slip out of the backfield for the catch and huge first down.  It was great to see Moffitt out there and ready to perform.  He is the consummate team player.

Alan Branch, in my opinion, was the X-Factor in this one.  He played easily the best game of his career with the Seahawks and it came at a great time, when the Seahawks needed him to anchor the run defense against a tough back.  Mebane was great as well, but Branch was constantly disrupting the Redskins D.  He blew up his man multiple times and spent more time in the backfield in this one game than I've seen all season from him.  This was an example of a guy raising his game in the biggest of occasions.

Steven Hauschka was money despite being on a gimpy ankle.  Thanks again Dan Snyder for being an another example of why certain people shouldn't be allowed to have nice things.  Despite it, Hausch still nailed all of his kicks in a close game.  He deserves a ton of credit.  Hopefully he'll be able to give it a go this weekend, if not, I'd prefer the team sign Carson Wiggs.  Just like this has been the year of the rookie QB, it's also been the year of the rookie kicker.  Much like Zuerlein, Walsh, and Forbath, Wiggs has a big leg and impressive accuracy to go along with little experience.  Something about a kid coming off of the street and into the NFC Divisional Game to come help kick the Seahawks to the Super Bowl just screams Disney movie.  I can see it now...  "Ryan Gosling IS Carson Wiggs"...

Oh, and of course, I can't forget BRUUUUCE!!!  An absolutely huge effort from the rook.  He hasn't gotten the press that Wilson and Wagner have this season, or the playing time, but he was monumental in his first playoff game. I almost felt bad for Polumbus, not really.  Once Clem was gone and the defense needed a boost in the pass rush department, Bruce came to the rescue with an excellent performance.  I couldn't be happier for the guy.

Overall, this win felt great.  I looked forward to this game all week and it didn't disappoint.  The crowd at Carlow East was amazing.  I couldn't have been prouder to be a Seahawks fan.  Now, it's on to Atlanta.  I team that should be respected but not feared.  I feel that if the Hawks put in 100% preparation from EVERYONE involved, they will see the "separation through preparation" that Pete Carroll is begging for.  Keep the petal to the metal and this whole crazy going to the Super Bowl in the year of the 12 thing that took on a life of it's own suddenly won't be so crazy.