Seahawks put finishing touches on close games

By Michael Murillo  |   Wednesday, November 15, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Seattle Seahawks
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When Josh Brown kicked a game-winning field-goal last week against St. Louis, it was an important moment for the Seahawks. But it wasn't an unfamiliar one.

It was the third time this season that Seattle took the lead for good on its last possession. And that doesn't even count a Week 9 field goal (also on the team's last possession) to extend its lead against the Raiders.

Regardless of how they play during the course of a game, the Seahawks have shown a tendency to finish strong. As a result, they sit atop the NFC West and are poised to become the first Super Bowl loser since the Tennessee Titans to return to the playoffs the following year.

Despite critical injuries to Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselbeck and Bobby Engram, the team has been able to keep many games close. Even a Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't decided until the 'Hawks failed to tie the game on their final drive. Their ability to get quality starts out of perennial backups has put them in a good position with just seven games left in the season.

Those kinds of performances instill confidence in a team that could have fallen out of contention (just like the last five Super Bowl losers) after suffering injuries and a humiliating loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 4. While the Seahawks haven't dominated anyone in the past five weeks (the shutout victory against the Raiders was more lackluster than awe-inspiring), a 3-2 record in that span could be the difference between sitting home in January and mounting a credible defense of their conference title.

The schedule makers might help, too. The Rams are out of the way, and only two teams left on the schedule (Denver on the road and San Diego at home) have winning records. In fact, they face the two lowest-scoring teams in the conference -- Arizona and Tampa Bay. Throw in returning starters, and the future looks bright in Seattle.

But you won't hear the popping of champagne corks just yet. In the NFL, any game could go down to the wire. But the Seahawks have already excelled in those kinds of contests, and that should provide a significant mental advantage should the game come down -- once again -- to the team's final drive.

Get more on the Seattle Seahawks at RealFootball365.com
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