Could This Be Reality?...

It is two weeks in to the 2008 NFL season, and the Seahawks are 0-2 for the first time since 2002. In week one, they were flat out beat by the Buffalo Bills on the road. That loss was ugly, but it was the first game of the new campaign, it was on the east coast, and they were banged up.

Then week two came along, and the Hawks hosted the lowly 49ers at Qwest Field home of the 12th man. The Seahawks just don’t lose at home. It is one of the toughest places to play in the league, and they have maintained home dominance for as many years as they have been atop the NFC west. And then they lost. The teams staple, the defense, gave up 321 passing yards to a guy named JT O’ Sullivan. It seemed as if every time they backed the Niners into third downs, they would convert. Isaac Bruce was partying like it was 1999, grabbing four balls for 153 yards. The big play that had killed the Hawks two years ago seemed to be back, infecting the defense once again.

The three-point overtime loss was painful. Fans are wondering how this team could be 0-2.  There are all of the excuses. All of the injured wide receivers, a quarterback with a bad back and unfamiliararity in his offense,  and a revamped blocking scheme on the O-line.

But as fans, how long can we use these excuses with out facing what quite possibly could be reality.

Brace yourself 12th man.

Maybe the Seattle Seahawks rain of supremacy in the NFC West is over. Maybe this team’s so called “window” is just cracked open a bit. Fans have gotten so used to this, year in and year out. Winning records, Pro Bowlers at the skill positions, playoff victories, and division championship banners. Let’s face it; this is the National Football League. Teams win super bowl’s one year, only to completely miss the post-season the next year. When putting it in perspective, the Seahawks have been very fortunate. That fortune might be running out.

If the Rams come into Seattle this Sunday and win, that cracked window will have been slammed shut. I do not see that happening. The Hawks will beat the Rams, and head into the bye week at 1-2. My take is that the week 5 game at the Meadowlands against the world champs will be the make or break game for the Hawks. I know it is only week 5, but a loss will put them in a very big hole in a sport that holes are tough to climb out of. A win will give this team confidence and momentum to carry forward.

Do not right this thing off yet 12th man, but if things turn sour, don’t say I didn’t warn you.