The Seattle Seahawks continue to defy convention, winning games with a blueprint that differs from the other 31 teams in the league.
By the end of the first quarter of Monday night's 27-17 victory over the Washington Redskins, Russell Wilson already had more rushing yards than Trent Richardson has managed in any single game with the Indianapolis Colts. By the end of the night, Wilson owned the Monday Night Football record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (122) in a single game.
The Seahawks entered FedExField with a superior game plan and a clear edge in personnel. A misleading final score notwithstanding, they overcame execution issues to remain in control throughout the game.
Percy Harvin was the culprit of three unbelievable touchdowns nullified by the officials, two on the shoulders of an offensive line that was responsible for half-dozen momentum-draining penalties.
Led by Wilson's derring-do, the threat of Harvin's difference-making speed and Marshawn Lynch's vision and power, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has the rare luxury of using deception with his three best players.
Led by linebackers with free safety range in K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner, Seattle's defense held Kirk Cousins' offensive attack to 20 net yards on their first 15 plays. If not for a pair of deep balls to DeSean Jackson, the Redskins' offense would have been non-existent.
Led by athletic punter Jon Ryan, the Seahawks' special teams backed the Redskins into starting every meaningful drive at or inside their own 20-yard line. How many No. 3 and No. 4 wide receivers double as standout special teams gunners as Jermaine Kearse and Ricardo Lockette do for Seattle? How many All-Pro cornerbacks cover the other team's gunner as Richard Sherman does?
Pete Carroll's squad overcame a litany of errors to emerge victorious outside of the cozy confines of CenturyLink Field by capitalizing on the legs of their quarterback, backfield decoy, linebackers, punter and special teamers.
It's a unique formula that only the reigning Super Bowl champions can claim as their own.
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