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Russell Wilson completed just 9-of-18 passes for 103 yards in Saturday's NFC Divisional playoff win over the Saints, the latest subpar performance by the Seahawks' second-year quarterback. The last six weeks have been in stark contrast to the first three months for Wilson, who started the 2013 season strong but has plateaued down the stretch.
Through the first 12 games, Wilson completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 223 yards per game, with 22 TDs and a passer rating of 108.5. In games 13-16 his completion percentage dropped to 57.8, yards per game fell to 171, with four TDs and a passer rating of 79.1.
A couple things: First, high winds Sunday had something to do with Wilson's numbers. (And Drew Brees' too; he had 30 first-half passing yards, a career low.) Second -- and more importantly -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll sounds unconcerned with Wilson's play.
“I think he’s doing great," the coach said, via PFT. "I think he’s doing what we need to do in these games. We can always do better. We’re always looking for more and he is too and all that. But as long as our football team is playing well and we’re playing within the formula and we’re playing good defense, we’re running the football, we’re playing on teams, and we’re taking care of the ball and getting it, we’re going to have a really good chance to win and that’s what’s most important to us.”
And for Wilson, all that matters is the final score.
“You know we’re winning a lot of football games and that’s the best thing,” he said. “I think that I can always do better, I’ve always thought that. So there’s a lot of room for improvement and that the exciting about it.”
Not hurting: Wilson can lean on the NFL's best defense, Marshawn Lynch and a huge homefield advantage.
But if the Seahawks get by the 49ers Sunday, they won't be able to bring CenturyLink Field with them. And if either the Broncos or Patriots can figure out how to take away Lynch in a Super Bowl matchup, the burden to win the game will again fall to Wilson.
