Seahawks on verge of greatness

Darrell Jackson. Out. Ken Hamlin. Out. Bobby Engram. Out.

Even without three of their best, most exciting players, the Seattle Seahawks have arrived and forcefully established themselves as a true power in the NFC.

With a last-second win over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 23, Seattle has erased any lingering doubts of mediocrity and has provided this city with a professional team worth our impassioned support.

The hospitalization of Hamlin two weeks ago left everyone wondering how the Seahawks would respond. Fans knew that there would be no possible way to replace what "The Hammer" brings to the field: his intensity, his fire and his physical toughness.

But just as the Seahawks have been doing all year, they overcame. The Hawks triumphed over one of the league's most efficient passing attacks despite losing their defensive captain. They hurried, hit and sacked Drew Bledsoe all day, forcing him into his worst game of the season.

Now just imagine where the Seahawks would be if kicker Josh Brown's self-proclaimed "perfect kick" would have actually won the game in week four against the Washington Redskins and not hit the field goal post.

I'll tell you where they'd be.

They'd be 6-1, labeled as the second-best team in the NFL, cemented on top of their division, and creating the biggest stir in this city since the Seattle Storm won the WNBA championship in 2004.

Just kidding, of course. Most in Seattle people don't know what the WNBA is.

All jokes aside, the Seahawks have won three games in a row, and have only three more games against winning teams this season. Coming into this week, Seattle is the number one offense in the NFL, even without their two starting wide receivers and sitting out all week.

The Hawks colossal offensive line, anchored by Pro Bowlers Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson, has paved the way for Shaun Alexander, who entered week eight third in rushing and after a week of sitting idle he sits just 26 yard behind Edgerrin James.

The NFL's ninth-ranked defense, full of young talent, has been flying all over the field, leading the league in tackles, and frustrating offenses into under 300 yards per game.

The undisputed leader of the team has been quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. While his stats aren't leading any category, his passion and fire have turned this team into a winner. He has made playmakers out of Joe Jurevicius and D.J. Hackett, and is primed to end Seattle's 20-season streak without a playoff win.

Looking forward, the Seahawks schedule plays out quite nicely. They still get to play against the bottom of the NFC west and an aging Brett Favre and his Packers.

The bye week comes at a perfect time for the Seahawks. Riding a nice little winning streak, the team now has a chance to heal before the final stretch. Receiver Bobby Engram is expected to be ready for their next game, and D-Jack could be ready to return the week after that.

I know that it may seem that the Seahawks are just the next Seattle team to catch our attention, win our hearts, just to disappoint us in the end -- and I can't guarantee that this won't happen. But give them a shot. We need a team to give our heart to.