Seahawks And Kam Chancellor Flying To The Top Again

The Seattle Seahawks are 2-2. They have clawed their way back into contention, with a win on Monday Night Football. But the victory was helped by a botched call from the back judge. The Seahawks beat the Detroit Lions 13-10, but did it under an air of outcry from fans.

According to the Denver Post, the call made by referee Gregory Wilson was one that should have given the Lions the ball at the spot of the fumble. That would have been the Seahawks 1-yard line. Instead, the ruling was a touchback and the ball was given to the Seahawks at the 20-yard line.

The Seahawks recently saw the return of strong safety Kam Chancellor. Since being inserted back into the lineup, the Seahawks have won two straight games. Arguments can be made for both wins. For their first win, Seattle blew out the hapless Bears 26-0. The Bears haven’t been on the radar as a team to watch. At the time, Chicago was struggling at 0-2. The Monday night victory over Detroit has become suspect, with the controversial end zone call.

Seattle led 13-10, but Detroit was driving, having reached the Seahawks 11-yard line. Lions quarterback Matt Stafford completed a pass to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who looked like he was going to score the go-ahead touchdown.

Just before Johnson crossed the goal line, Seattle’s Kam Chancellor punched the ball out of his arms, sending the ball bouncing into the end zone. The ball was on the verge of bouncing out the back when linebacker K.J. Wright eased it on its way.

According to the rules found on SB Nation, Wilson made the wrong call. He looked to be going for his flag but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, through the Denver Post, responded to the fact that a penalty should have been called.

“It’s unfortunate the officials didn’t know how to do it for their (Detroit) sake. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

Seattle has evened their record and Seahawks fans are once again talking Super Bowl. Last year, the Seahawks started the season 3-3 but went on to Super Bowl XLIX. The schedule doesn’t get any easier. Sunday, the Seahawks are matched against Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals. The resurgent Bengals are at home and the craziness of The Jungle will test Russell Wilson. Three of the next four games for the Seahawks are on the road. The Seahawks come home to play an undefeated Panthers team. Then they must play a desperate Cowboys squad on the road. There’s also a battle in San Francisco on the menu.

Before the Seahawks can wrap up the division and waltz into the NFC Championship game, a few issues have to be addressed. Russell Wilson hasn’t been the problem. Against the Lions, the Seahawks signal caller completed 20 of 26 passes for a 76.9 percent completion ratio. Wilson piled up 287 yards through the air and threw for a touchdown.

Marshawn Lynch has been sketchy. Beast Mode started the year with 73 rushing yards against the Rams, but has declined since then. The Seahawks have him listed as day-to-day because of a hamstring injury. But even in the games against Green Bay and the Bears, Lynch hasn’t looked like the force of years past.

To win more games, the Seahawks must address the offensive blocking issues. There have been numerous times when the pass protection has been nonexistent or invisible. Settling for field goals isn’t always going to guarantee a victory either. The Seahawks are tied for third worst in the league for touchdowns per red zone appearance.

The Seahawks are clawing their way back to the top. But they’re making the job harder than it needs to be.

[Photos by Otto Gruele Jr. / Getty Images]