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The play call was so risky, even Mike Holmgren's family questioned the coach's judgment.
In possession of the ball following a fumble recovery and facing third-and-nine
with 1:47 left in Sunday's game, the Seahawks needed a first down to continue
running out the clock, or risk giving the ball back to the San Francisco 49ers
and give them a shot to win.
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Holmgren wasn't about to give the 49ers the ball back. He could have called a running play that might have forced San Francisco to use its last timeout before the Seahawks had to punt. Instead, he called for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to pass for the first down. NFL Tickets
Hasselbeck did the rest, checking down to his third option and spotting wide
receiver Koren Robinson alone near the right sideline with 49ers cornerback
Ahmed Plummer playing off him. Hasselbeck completed an 18-yard pass to Robinson
for the first down, the Seahawks got one more on the next play and had only
to snap the ball for the final two plays of the game. Then they left the field
with a one-point victory.
"Everyone was real nervous, including my own family, about calling a pass
play in a situation there," said Holmgren, referring to two of his daughters
who attended the game. "They couldn't believe I did that. They're very
astute football people. They just go, 'Throwing the ball (on third-and-nine?)
How could you do that? What were you thinking?' I said, 'Thanks. It worked.'
"
Robinson was the third option on the play, and Holmgren said film showed one
option was covered and the other might have been easier than going to Robinson.
"The worst thing that can happen is an incompletion, and he (Holmgren)
trusted me with the situation to do a smart thing," Hasselbeck said, "and
I think they still had a timeout at that point, so really keeping the clock
moving was important."
Okeafor's redemption
Chike Okeafor has been vocal about the opportunities he didn't get with his
former team, the 49ers, and his desire to explore other options elsewhere when
he became a free agent after last season. Sunday night, Okeafor gave his former
team a taste of what it is missing without him. NFL Tickets
The Seahawks' right defensive end finished with eight tackles, including a sack
of quarterback Jeff Garcia in the fourth quarter with San Francisco driving
for a possible touchdown. The 49ers only got a field goal out of that drive,
which was key because the Seahawks answered with their field goal for the lead.
"It was my old team, and it was a little personal, and obviously I wanted
to beat my old team," Okeafor said. "This was big time because we're
keeping our shot alive at the dance (the playoffs)."
Notes
• Holmgren is most concerned about an ankle injury suffered by CB Ken
Lucas on Sunday. Shawn Springs, who played in his first game of the season after
returning from injury himself, might start Sunday against the Chicago Bears
if Lucas cannot. Springs would probably start at left cornerback, with Marcus
Trufant moving to the right side. NFL Tickets
• CB Willie Williams (knee) should play this week, and FB Mack Strong
(hamstring) has "a chance" to play, Holmgren said.
• Sunday's home game against Chicago will more than likely be seen on
local television, as the Seahawks announced that only 2,300 tickets remain for
the 1:15 p.m. game.
The Seahawks' next home game is Nov. 2 against Pittsburgh, and only 2,000 tickets
remain for that date.