Fansided

Russell Wilson’s latest performance proves he’s not elite

By Caleb Luketic

Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles from pressure by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Carolina defeated Seattle, 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles from pressure by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Carolina defeated Seattle, 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson proves he is overrated, after poor performance in the NFC Divisional game against Carolina. 

Not long ago, the Seattle Seahawks accomplished an extremely rare feat that most teams only dream of, appearing in back-to-back Super Bowls. Seattle was able to beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, but fell just short in Super Bowl XLIX to the New England Patriots on a controversial play call from head coach Pete Carroll – an interception thrown by Russell Wilson right at the goal line. The Seahawks have had one of the top rated defenses for the past four seasons, making them heavy playoff favorites, but it did not receive as much attention this past year due to internal strife and a late offensive surge by the team.

Russell Wilson was able to orchestrate six wins out of the team’s last seven games to push them in to the playoffs, which made people believe he was elevating to an elite quarterback status in the league. However, the Seattle Seahawks had not played against a truly great defense until they ran into the Carolina Panthers stingy defense in the NFC Divisional round.

Wilson threw 24 touchdowns with only one interception over the final seven games of the season, while throwing for 2,166 yards. He also had a quarterback rating of 130.34 over the same seven game span. However, did this largely against mediocre defenses –  discounting that he did tear up the fifth ranked Arizona Cardinals defense in Week 17, throwing for 197 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-6 blowout.

The Carolina Panthers were able to expose and exploit the Seahawks’ weaknesses on Sunday, getting to Wilson early and often forcing him to make poor decisions with the football. Carolina forced a total of two turnovers on Sunday, both of which came from the hands of Wilson (and both in a first half that saw Seattle go down 31-0 in the game’s first 30 minutes). Seattle was not able to establish their running game, which forced Wilson to throw at one of the top secondaries in the league. After his first throw of the game was picked off and returned for an interception by Luke Kuechly, it was evident that the quarterback was in over his head.

Wilson was able to bring his team back in the second half, but he missed multiple wide-open receivers that could have swung the contest in his team’s favor. On one play Doug Baldwin used a double-move to get past the secondary, but Wilson over threw him badly. All he needed was to lay the ball up and it was paydirt. He missed, and missed badly.

While he is a postseason veteran, Wilson looked like a rookie for the first half of Sunday. He is a large reason why Seattle was in such a hole in the second half. And though his numbers looked good in the game’s latter half, 31-0 is too large of a lead to spot the NFL’s best team, all while playing them on the road, no less.

Wilson might be one of the league’s best quarterbacks, an elite quarterback doesn’t allow his team to get down 31-0 in the playoffs.

Home/NFL