Seahawks Lose Jackson, But Pull Off Road Win In New York

[travisduncan]

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (7) drops back to pass during the first half of the game
at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. ICON SPORTS MEDIA

Prior to Sunday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks had not won a game in the eastern timezone in nine straight games. That streak came to a screeching halt with a 36-25 win over the New York Giants.

The Seahawks lost quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to a pectoral strain in the third quarter, but in stepped Charlie Whitehurst who completed 11 of 19 passes for 149 yards. Whitehurst threw a go-ahead touchdown to a wide-open Doug Baldwin with 2:45 remaining in the game. A defensive neutral zone infraction that led to an easy throw and catch for the 27-yard score.

Pete Carroll said that he got exactly what he expected from Whitehurst, and that the he got rid of the football when needed.

The Seattle defense forced five New York turnovers, and in general applied tremendous pressure on the Eli Manning. The G-men were limited to 69 yards on 25 carries on the ground.

Manning was sacked three times and hit two additional times.

Meanwhile, Baldwin continues his improbable rookie campaign, Sunday catching eight balls for 136 yards and the 4th quarter go-ahead score. He continues to be Seattle's leading wide receiver.

The Seattle offensive line has made noticeable improvements both in pass blocking and run blocking in the last two games. Running back Marshawn Lynch came within two yards of his first 100-yard game of the season, notching his highest yardage of the season with 98 yards on 12 carries. He also recorded a touchdown for the second straight game, a 1-yard run to put the Seahawks up 14-7 in the first quarter. The one-yard score was set up by a 47 yard scamper, atoning for a fumble on the previous drive.

"I don't know why all of the sudden we've gone eight games or whatever and not put the ball on the ground and we put the ball on the ground twice today," said Carroll. "I don't know how that happened to us, because we're so determined to take care of [the ball], but our guys overcame it and got more."

Pete Carroll confirmed after the game that Jackson suffered a pectoral injury. It was reported on the FOX broadcast as a shoulder injury. There is no time frame for his return as the Seahawks head into the bye week, but early indications don't point towards Jackson missing time.

Before exiting the game Jackson completed 15-of-22 passes for for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Seahawks' desire to get off to a fast start was well publicized this week. That goal was met on the first drive of the game.

Jackson hit Ben Obomanu for a nine yard pass from their own 20 yards line. On the next play Jackson found Lynch in the flat, who then took it 17 yards to set up 1st and 10 at the Seattle 46. Jackson found Obomanu again this time for 11 yards to move into Giant territory. A Justin Forsett run for four yards put the Seahawks at the Giant 39-yard line where Jackson found Sidney Rice for a completion taking the ball to the Giant 23 yard line. An unnecessary rought penalty set up 1st and 10 at the Giants 11-yard line where Jackson found Obomanu for the 11-yard score.

The Seahawks marched down the field in 2:32 covering 80 yards in 8-plays. That is as good as start as anyone could have hoped for. And despite unfortunate turnovers and the injury to Jackson, the Seahawks kept that momentum throughout the game.

The Seahawks will fly back west with a W, with a lot to look forward to and a 2-3 record heading into the bye week. Then it's back to the eastern time zone Oct. 23 for a 10 a.m. PT kickoff against the Cleveland Browns.