Week 10 - Sunday 13th November 2005

Imagine flying all of the way across the country to meet someone you've never met before. Marc Bulger meet Lofa Tatupu, I hope it keeps you awake at night.

No Seahawk fan who saw last years regular season meltdown against the Rams is ever likely to forget it but after Bulger belatedly got a little of what was coming his way the memory can be filed even deeper in the bank.

It all got off to quite a nervy start. Yet another red zone stop by the Hawks kept the Rams to 3 points on the opening drive.

When Hasselbeck got the ball in his hands there appeared to be a number of miscommunications and Alexander was taking time to warm up. The interception that ended the drive owed more to a missed call by the officials who failed to spot a 6' 5'' Tight End getting knocked almost of his feet 20 yards downfield. As it was it set up the comedy moment of the season so far.

Yet again the Rams went downfield and were stopped in the red zone. Lining up for a field goal the holder flipped it to Wilkins the kicker who ran sideways rather than forwards. It clearly wasn't going well for him but he eventually realised he was going to have to go forward at some point just as a horde of Seahawks chased him down and Trufant tackled him. It looked like something you and your mates would draw up over a couple of pints then try it out in the pub car park.

This season the Seahawks have become quite good at punishing teams who give the ball away and so it proved again. A 5 play 88 yard drive included a 21 yard Alexander run and a perfect 47 yard pass to DJ Hackett at the 6. Alexander finished it off going sideways through a crowd and in to become the first player in NFL history to have 5 successive seasons scoring 15 TD's.

Michael Boulware then picked off Bulger to set up a field goal late in the second quarter for 10-3 at the half.

The second half didn't exactly start as expected with a Hasselbeck pass bouncing of Hannam's chest straight to a waiting Ram. Again the Seahawks stopped the Rams and this time they took the 3 points.

In my preview I said the following as my number 1 reason for liking the Seahawks chances - "Shaun Alexander. The Rams can't stop him, it's a question of how many TD's he will score and how many yards over 100 he will go."

OK, as a prediction it wasn't especially daring but Shaun didn't let us down. On the next drive he ran on consecutive plays for 37, 8 and then crashed into the end zone from 4 for the touchdown.

Shaun has said repeatedly that he wants to stay in Seattle but there is never any firm news of signatures on contracts. Memo to Tim Ruskell from the UK: "Would you mind awfully getting that Alexander chap to sign his name on a nice piece of vellum. Just let him fill in the salary bit"

17-6 soon became 24-6 as DJ Hackett grabbed his first NFL touchdown running down the sidelines to grab a 31 yard pass in stride as he crossed the line.

Stop me if I'm boring you but once again the Rams got into the red zone. The results can be seen in the top picture with Lofa Tatupu sacking Bulger for -11 yards. Field goal for 24-9.

As the game entered the 4th quarter those of nervous disposition were starting to look away. Consecutive possessions of 3 and out left the Rams in good field position. On the first Rodney Bailey, who was in the rotation for the injured Marcus Tubbs, forced a fumble which Marquand Manuel recovered but once again we couldn't move the ball.

This time the Rams did score on a 4th and 11 from the 14 as Torry 'Big Mouth' Holt got the better of Marcus Trufant. It was a pity for Trufant who had played well. He was in position to make a play but just got his head turned at the crucial moment.

We have seen it all before though and it has given me Sleepless nights even at this distance from Seattle but when pressured the Seahawks did not buckle. A fantastic 69 yard drive included converting 4 3rd downs. Mainly Alexander grinded it out but there were also big plays from Jurevicius, Engram and even Robbie Tobeck snapping the ball quickly when Leonard Little was offside for a 5 yard penalty.

With 3rd and 1 on the Rams 17 with a little over a minute left Shaun ran left for the first down then carried on going all the way for a TD and 31-16

The answer to my question posed earlier was 165 yards and 3 TD's to make him the NFL leader in both categories.

10 things I noticed:

1. Special teams didn't commit any penalties.

2. It rained and we won again. Let's hope for more.

3. Rookie LeRoy Hill got another sack to take his total to 4.5 on limited playing time.

4. On the big pass to DJ Hackett in the first half Shaun Alexander made a key block.

5. Marquand Manuel has stepped in to Ken Hamlin's shoes just fine.

6. Rams Steven Jackson was tipped to have a big day. His 70 yard effort adds to the list of players not rushing 100 yards+ against us.

7. On 2 of Alexander's TD's Joe Jurevicius took his man out of the play with some great blocking.

8. After 9 games Jerramy Stevens has more receiving yards than in the whole of last year.

9. If there was any justice in the world, neither of Hasselbeck's interceptions would count against him.

10. 7-2 is good but there is still a long way to go and the Seahawks cannot afford to relax.

Andrew Robinson (HawksHead)

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