Bye Week Blues? Not for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks
Still soaking up Monday night’s epic 27-24 overtime victory over the 49ers, coach Pete Carroll admitted the Seahawks were very fortunate to have their bye week land after such a physically and emotionally tolling contest.
“We can make a good transition out of this, I think,” Carroll said on Tuesday. “I hate that we didn’t have our meetings today to have the fun of watching the highlights and the film like we like to do and have a good time and all that because the guys got to separate. We just have to recreate that when we come back Monday.”
Aside from Tyler Lockett suffering a significant leg contusion and Luke Willson straining his hamstring, Seattle exited Monday’s prime time affair in decent shape from an injury standpoint. Now, the entire team will get to enjoy a few days to rest and heal up before entering the final stretch run.
While the time off is a necessity in such a grueling sport, for some teams, the bye week can actually prove to be burdensome. Like any other job, it can be difficult for NFL players and coaches to get back into the swing of things after a vacation.
But since Carroll arrived in 2010, the Seahawks have consistently performed well coming off their bye, posting a 6-3 record over the past nine seasons. With Russell Wilson under center, the record has been even better, as Seattle has won five of their past six games after being idle the previous week.
| Year | Opponent | Score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
2018 | at Detroit | 28-14 | Win |
2017 | at NY Giants | 24-7 | Win |
2016 | Atlanta | 26-24 | Win |
2015 | Arizona | 39-32 | Loss |
2014 | at Washington | 27-17 | Win |
2013 | New Orleans | 34-7 | Win |
2012 | at Miami | 24-21 | Loss |
2011 | at Cleveland | 6-3 | Loss |
2010 | at Chicago | 23-20 | Win |
Most recently, Seattle defeated Detroit 28-14 in Week 8 last season, with Wilson completing 14 of 17 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in the win at Ford Field. It’s been nearly four years since the team last lost following a bye, falling to Arizona 39-32 in 2015.
Once the players return to team headquarters on Monday, the Seahawks will look to continue their winning ways traveling to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 12. Carroll’s team will have multiple win streaks on the line, including three straight victories overall and five straight road victories, as they push for an NFC West title.
“We’re looking forward to taking this break and then maximizing it. Everybody gets their rest and gets healthier and come back raring to go and go charging down the final line of this season. The finishing mode is kicking in right now. We’ve got to do a good job of everybody rallying and rising to the occasion.”
