Seahawks win a thriller on Monday Night: Recap

It never comes easy and it’s usually too dramatic for comfort but these Seahawks know how to win.

In one of the most thrilling Monday Night Football contests ever played, Seattle held off a late rally by the Buffalo Bills to escape with a 31-25 win. Here’s our official recap.

The Story

The first half was arguably one of the wildest in recent NFL history, with both teams trading haymakers and touchdowns early on. Neither defense seemed able to stop the other team from moving the chains at all.

While Buffalo ran the ball effectively with LeSean McCoy and benefited from a series of dazzling plays by Tyrod Taylor, the Seahawks demolished the Bills defense with an aerial attack featuring a (finally fully healthy) Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett and Jimmy Graham.

Seattle led 28-17 at the half and appeared to be ready to run away with the game. However, their defense still struggled to stop Buffalo after the break. It took a dramatic goal line stop in the closing moments to prevent what would have been an all-time heartbreaking kind of loss.

MVP: Jimmy Graham, Cliff Avril

In the first half Graham caught two incredible touchdown catches with one hand. On the first, he was held on a clear pass interference penalty. On the second he was double covered but hauled it in anyway. He also made a highlight reel play by hurdling over a tackler at one point. Graham finished the game having caught all eight of his targets for 103 yards and two scores. It’s clear he is back to being the dynamic playmaker he was in his prime with the Saints.

On the other side of the ball there was not a whole lot to like. However, defensive end Cliff Avril was a constant menace for Buffalo’s backfield despite getting held repeatedly. He came through with a huge third-down sack on Tyrod Taylor late in the game to force a desperate attempt from 15 yards out with only seconds to go. Avril had 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits. Bobby Wagner also deserves an honorable mention. He led the team with 16 combined tackles.

AROUND COVER32

Seahawks: Cliff Avril is Seattle’s MVP so far this season

Seahawks: Percy Harvin will suit up for Bills on MNF

Report Cards: How did your team grade out in Week 8?

Power Rankings:: The Cowboys keep cruising, while the Vikings flop

NFL Draft:: Previewing the best defensive linemen in the NFL Draft

LVP: Kris Richard

Seattle’s defense was horrible in general in this game. Kelcie McCray may have been the worst offender but it was an awful effort from the unit as a whole and so their leader has to take the fall.

Richard was totally outcoached by Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn. Buffalo tallied 425 total yards and outrushed the Seahawks 162-33 and dominated the time of possession. Seattle needs their defensive mastermind to do a better job of making in-game adjustments going forward. Period.

Play of the Game: Graham’s hurdle

Sure, his two one-handed touchdown catches were remarkable but how often do you see a six foot nine tight end make a move like this?

Tweet of the game:

Despite some overblown controversy at the end of the day the Seahawks are now 5-2-1, which is good enough for the second best record in the NFC.

Next up:

At New England Patriots
Sunday November 13th, 5:30pm PT
Gilette Stadium, Foxborough MA

The post Seahawks win a thriller on Monday Night: Recap appeared first on Cover32.