The Seattle Seahawks haven’t started a season 0-2 since the 2002 season. In 2002, Seattle started the season 0-3 and stumbled to a 7-9 record. 2002 was the season that marked the beginning of the Matt Hasselbeck era (Week 8). Interestingly enough, 2002 was the last year that San Francisco won the NFC West. 2002 is in the past though. The 2008 Seattle Seahawks are better than the 2002 version. Are they not?

With only two games played in a 16-game season, it would appear as if a lot of the Seattle faithful are jumping ship faster than Billy Zane from the Titanic. The post-game hysteria isn’t uncalled for by any means, but we must temper panic with composure. We’re the four-time defending NFC West champions for Pete’s sake! This isn’t the first hole the Seahawks have had to dig themselves out of. In 2005, Seattle started 2-2 and looked more than a bit shaky in losses to Jacksonville and Washington. Seattle won the next 11 games and finished the season 13-3. Oh yeah, and they went to the Super Bowl that year. The NFL is full of surprises.

If ever there was an excuse for an 0-2 start, the Seahawks have one. Going into the game yesterday, Seattle had four healthy receivers out of nine total (including Wallace). Four has been quickly reduced to three after Logan Payne went down after a vicious take-em-out-at-the-knees tackle. Two starters from Seattle’s offensive line are on the mend. Subsequently, the right side is comprised of guys who coaches deemed just not good enough. Obviously it is a skeleton crew out there. This is the NFL however, injuries are to be expected.

Despite a banged up bunch, Seattle was still optimistic because of the division they played in. Optimism went out the window with San Francisco’s win. The division is truly up for grabs now. If Seattle does make it to the playoffs, a closer division could turn out to be a good thing. Look at last year’s Super Bowl, Giants vs. Patriots. Dare I say battle tested vs. cruise control? For too long Seattle has played the part of cruise control. Defeating division opponents without a second thought. The NFC West is becoming the division I imagined, excluding St. Louis of course. A division that will challenge Seattle to be more than they are. The Seahawks don’t understand the challenge yet, but they will.

Regardless the tough loss and amidst the new challenge, there are a few bright star for Seattle. Sunday’s game against San Francisco proved a few things.
- John Carlson can catch.
A consistent tight end that can catch the ball has been on Mike Holmgren’s Christmas wish list for sometime. Entering his last season, Holmgren finally has one.
- Julius Jones and the offensive line just bought a chemistry set, and the running game is coming together.
I hate to say that injuries are good, but the injury to Maurice Morris might have been just what the doctor ordered. With Morris out of the picture for a bit, Jones is the guy. Being the featured back is what Jones signed up for. He didn’t sign up for split carries. He had that in Dallas. Jones is the man. He and the offensive line should excel now that the onus is on one back, one style.
- Billy McMullen is better than Courtney Taylor.
While McMullen’s fumble was inexcusable, I’ll give him a pass due to the fact that he wasn’t even in the NFL this time last year. That said, McMullen is averaging 16 yards per catch. He is a big target for Hasselbeck (at 6′4″, tallest receiver on the roster), and the two might be able to develop some chemistry. A receiving corp comprised of McMullen, Deion Branch, and Bobby Engram sounds good to me.
- The sack attack is back!
The Seahawks recorded an amazing eight sacks against the 49ers. No matter how bad an offensive line is, eight sacks is still impressive. As some of you might remember, Seattle were fourth in total sacks last season. The attack that at times last year resembled a piranha frenzy struggled more than a fat guy at Gold’s Gym in the opening game against Buffalo. With Patrick Kerney and rookie Lawrence Jackson both recording two sacks, the attack is back on track. The reemergence will lead to bigger and better performances by the entire defense.

With both good signs and bad signs, there is still a cloud of mystery hanging over Seattle’s 2008 season. Parody really is good for the NFL and for Seattle. If we knew the outcome of every season, we wouldn’t be entertained. Long-time Seattle fans have seen the Seahawks go through far greater trials and tribulations than the ones faced this season. These are the kind of struggles that separate the true fans from the wagon jumpers, and as the true fans know, the Seahawks are down, but they are not out. Go Hawks!