The Seahawks could not stop gushing about Marshawn Lynch's overpowering 79-yard touchdown run in last night's 35-6 dismantling of Arizona. We do not blame them. It was Lynch at his bowling-ball best, so bring on the hype.
And here's the local radio call:
Everyone wants to compare it to "Beast Quake," Lynch's 67-yarder in the January 2011 playoff game against New Orleans, and it's almost impossible not to, from the way he physically pushes off defenders (here, Patrick Peterson and Rashad Johnson) to the "hold mah dick" leap into the end zone. But this one possibly have been better?
Pete Carroll: "I've never seen a better run than Marshawn's run tonight."
Russell Wilson: "If you love football, it's got to be one of the best runs of all time."
Michael Bennett: "That's the best run I've ever seen."
Just don't expect much in the way of explanation from Lynch, who has clashed with the media all season. But he appreciates you asking!
It's been an especially odd season for Lynch, almost certainly his last one in Seattle. The 28-year-old has answered every question (metaphorically, anyway) about whether he could hold up under his punishing, self-punishing running style. He wasn't even guaranteed to play last night—he didn't get a touch until midway through the second quarter with what was described as an upset stomach. "As ill as I've ever seen him," O-line coach Tom Cable said. But he hydrated, got in, and made the most of his 10 carries.
The Seahawks are terrifying. This game was the battle for the division, and for the driver's seat for homefield advantage. The Cardinals were down to their fourth-string QB, but that doesn't change the fact that Seattle's oft-ignored offense rung up 35 on that excellent Arizona D. There aren't many teams as complete as these Seahawks—the only one that comes close has already clinched the No. 1 seed a first-round bye in the AFC.
But, back to Lynch. Because, my goodness. It's worth reading the Seattle Times' roundup of players and coaches explaining the play call and the blocking and gushing over the run. But Richard Sherman's got your Cliff's Notes version:
"He's really just showing the world that he's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad—continue to say bad— man," suggested Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman."And if he's not in the race for MVP, it's like what else do you have to do if that's not an MVP run right there?"
Lynch as MVP is probably unrealistic. Sherman and the rest of the Seahawks were caught up in the moment. But so were we, and what higher praise can there be than that? Lynch's run turned football players into gape-mouthed, hyperbolic football fans.