The Seattle Seahawks have had to battle for their last two wins, emerging victorious only after overtime play to beat Tampa Bay and the San Francisco 49ers.
While both games might have had fans on the edge of their seats, coach Pete Carroll is turning the opportunities into learning experiences as the team eyes the playoffs ahead.
“It’s pretty consistent right now,” Carroll said Monday. “Our guys have a real comfort and understanding that sometimes, it’s not going to be working out for some time in the game. Just keep hanging. We’re developing that mentality that gives us tremendous resilience. I’ve felt that many times over the years with clubs. I don’t know that this one is better.”
Carroll and the rest of the Seahawks owe much of their success to quarterback Russell Wilson, who is leading the pack in the race for this year’s Most Valuable Player.
“Russ is the best he’s been,” Carroll told reporters. “That gives everybody confidence and just gives us a chance. Basically, he can find a way. It’s really reassuring and just builds for the hope and all the elements that make for resilience that you need to really overcome all these kinds of obstacles. It’s a fun characteristic for the team.
“It’s not great for the fans necessarily, but it’s going to help us.”
The Seahawks need all the help they can get with the league’s toughest schedule in the second half of the season. Seattle next faces Philadelphia on the road, in a game that has been flexed back to a 10:00 a.m. PT start.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, they are 14-6 in their last 20 early games and 3-0 on the year.
