Thursday went just about as well as any Seahawks fan could hope for. In fact, to toot my own horn, I called a score of 35-17. A friend in Dallas asked me what I though the spread would be, then politely indicated that I was overzealous. I repeated the same conversation at my gym to similar response. Oh heavens no! It must be closer! That’s what all the ESPN experts say!
Okay, everybody, I know I’m a gal and all, but I knew what I was talking about. For the record, the score was Seattle 36, Green Bay 16. Despite expectations, we have annihilated opponents to a point of embarrassment the past couple of years at home openers. It just seems that no one cared prior to our Super Bowl victory. 2013? Took San Francisco down 29-3. 2012? Took down the Cowboys 27-7. The energy in that stadium when September rolls around is a visceral experience that simply can’t be expressed on paper. Home openers have always been madness; so the inaugural game after Seattle’s first world championship? Might as well have stood near the Cape Canaveral launch pad. Common sense therefore dictated Green Bay would have trouble communicating, too.
Aaron Rodgers took the fun out of everything by refusing to throw to Jarrett Boykin (covered by Richard Sherman). I mean, the guy actually admitted it to Sherm himself. The only negative responses I came across to said occurrence obviously came from San Francisco faithful, suggesting that if Sherman was really the best corner in the game, he would have covered Jordy Nelson. Well, that implies that if he actually did cover Nelson, Rodgers would have actually thrown that direction. But that only exists in a fictitious vacuum of football what-ifs. And his simple presence eradicated an entire side of the football field. It’s a no-win argument, much like Wes Welker’s defense to dabbling in recreational rave drugs. What? You didn’t know what Molly looked like? Oh, so, you just take pills that are unidentifiable then. That’s way better. Yes, that’s apples and oranges. But someone needed to emphasize the absolute asinine premise of that explanation. Also, poor Eddie Lacy was forced out of the game with a concussion dealt by Kam Chancellor (he has since cleared the first step of protocol to be able to return to play, according to Coach Mike McCarthy).
Looking forward to the San Diego Chargers, who re-play NFC West division competitors Arizona Cardinals tonight in Glendale after an August 28th preseason victory, the Seahawks can’t help but be concerned about San Diego’s resolve and resurgence late last season, only to lose to the AFC Champ Broncos. Sure, Seattle hammered San Diego at home on August 15th, but that may as well have been a regular home game from the Hawks.
My guess is that plenty of Seattle fans will turn out to Qualcomm Stadium, giving Philip Rivers plenty of trouble during the huddle. San Diego’s veteran quarterback will do his best to allude to Legion of Boom, looking to the run game. Ladarius Green won’t be Rivers’ prime target (likely his favorite against Arizona) due to Bam-Bam Kam’s particular appetite for TEs. If he can survive the run, Ryan Matthews will be the Chargers’ best hope to move the chains. Once Russell Wilson takes the field, the Hawks’ passing should do well against the smaller San Diego corners (Brandon Flowers at 5’9” and Shareece Wright at 5’11”). Still underrated Jermaine Kearse will hopefully get plenty of opportunities to shine in this matchup, easily dancing through/over the San Diego defense.
My Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 28, San Diego Chargers 16
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
