Seahawks at Patriots: Highlights, score, and recap

The most thrilling game of the day ends up with the Seattle Seahawks on top, besting the New England Patriots 31-24 at Gillette Stadium.

It had a bit of everything, and the last 10 minutes of the game were probably the best closing minutes to a game all season. When it’s all said and done, the Seattle Seahawks were victorious and come up with a huge victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

As it appears now, Seattle still has to be considered the best team in the NFC. This was their best win of the season and gives them a boat load of confidence moving forward throughout the rest of the year. New England can’t hang their heads too low because they were a play or two away from coming out of this one on top.

Tom Brady didn’t have the best of games, and Seattle was able to take away parts of the field with Richard Sherman tending to that area. Brady stayed away from him and picked on DeShawn Shead (who didn’t have a bad game by any stretch), and the middle of the field, where most of his damage was done against the Seahawks.

It was a huge challenge for Seattle, but they pulled their way through, making play after play in the second half, and converting a few key third downs to come out on top. Here’s three stars from the game.

Three Stars

1-Russell Wilson

Wilson balled out Sunday. He kept Seattle in the game, answering New England’s early drives with points (though not always touchdowns) so that Seattle never fell behind by multiple possessions. Wilson stood tall in the pocket when needed (i.e. his third touchdown pass of the night).

Whether he was rolling out or on a three step drop, Wilson played with such a calm demeanor and never let this game get out of hand. He finished 25/37 passing, converting 67 percent of his passes for 348 yards while averaging 13.9 yards per completion and three touchdowns. He was sacked three times, but for most of the night the line actually did a decent job.

2-LeGarrette Blount

The most violent runner in the game, Blount was a game changer. In the second half, I was a little bit surprised they didn’t stick with the run more. His relentless effort on the ground and in pass protection kept New England on top through most of the first half.

The Seahawks had no answer for him when he got the ball inside the red zone, and inside the five-yard line. He only averaged 3.3 yards per rush, but Blount earned every inch he got tonight. He’s not a speedy back who’s going to pick up yards in quick bursts, but he’ll get his tail moving North-South. He had 21 carries for 69 yards and three TDs.

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Some will question the call on fourth and goal from the one with the Patriots electing to go to the fade to Rob Gronkowski who was one on one with Kam Chancellor, but it’s a very understandable call. Should Blount have had his number called? Perhaps. But you can’t question the call.

3-Doug Baldwin

When targeting Baldwin this season, Wilson has a QB rating of 137.8, which leads the NFL in QB to receiver duo. Baldwin had six catches for 59 yards on eight targets and three touchdowns. It was a special connection between Baldwin and Wilson tonight.

The two were on the same page throughout four quarters. Baldwin’s route running ability to gain separation, (as seen on his third  TD catch), really lifted the Seahawks passing game. The ground attack worked effective enough early on, but Baldwin gave the Seahawks a huge boost in the second half.

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Next Game

The Patriots will head to the land where Brady is from and take on the 49ers at Levi’s stadium. Seattle will go home and play the Eagles.