Seahawks ‘Legion of Boom’ Likes Adversity
By Matthew Gray
There is no question- after watching the “Legion of Boom” – suppress a deceptive Cam Newton led offense at Bank of America Stadium Sunday, that the Seahawks defense- is still the dominant squad we saw punishing the NFL last year.
Seattle’s defense came up with an enormous turnover in the closing minutes to pull out a 12-7 win over the Carolina Panthers.
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The win was Seattle’s first road win in a season opener since beating Detroit 9-6 in 2006 . The Seahawks are now 4-6 in road openers since 2000.
“We needed as a team to see some adversity,” Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said. “I talked about it last night in the meeting; we were going to see some adversity. “Last year, we didn’t really see too much adversity until the playoffs. … I think us getting this kind of game early is going to help propel us throughout the season.”
Holding on to a 12-7 lead late in the fourth quarter, Seattle’s defense looked adversity eye to eye. Where the Seahawks had nose-dived in related circumstances last season against Arizona, Detroit, Miami and in the NFC divisional playoff game at Atlanta — all late rally wins for the opposite team. Sunday would harvest a result more befitting a team picked by many during the pre-season to appear in the Super Bowl.
Carolina manufactured an auspicious drive, rapidly entering Seattle territory. And the Panthers were on the threshold of getting into the end zone when running back DeAngelo Williams rushed through the center of Seattle’s defense, whirling up the right sideline.
Nevertheless, safety Earl Thomas raced him down and hit the ball out, with defensive tackle Tony McDaniel emerging from the chaos with the loose ball at Seattle’s 8-yard line, terminating Carolina’s chances for the winning score with 5:43 to play.
After that, the Seahawks put away the game with a 12-play drive to run out the clock.
At 1-0, the Seahawks are tied with San Francisco and St. Louis atop the NFC West standings; more adversity awaits them next week against the 49er’s at Century Link Field.