When does pete Carroll pull the plug on Matt Hasselbeck?

Published on November 1, 2010 by Seahawks.Com News (Feed)     

The Seahawks’ momentum from their two-game winning streak was halted – and dented – in a frightful 33-3 loss to the Raiders on Halloween.

As losses go, this one was as complete as they come.

The Oakland Raiders didn’t just beat the Seahawks 33-3 at Oakland Coliseum on Sunday, they beat them up and left the Seahawks wondering: What now?

“There was no mystery to us what happened today,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We got nothing done. They whipped us on both sides of the ball.”

That the Raiders did, and they have now outscored their past two opponents 92-17.

This loss was especially difficult for the Seahawks because it squandered the momentum they had gained from winning their past two games, not to mention a half dozen players who had to leave the game with various ailments – left guard Ben Hamilton (poked in the eye), left tackle Tyler Polumbus (ankle and knee), defensive end Red Bryant (sprained knee), wide receivers Mike Williams (knee) and Golden Tate (ankle) and cornerback Nate Ness (cramps).

Some returned, others didn’t. And then there was quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who was sacked a season-high eight times.

Even with the loss, the Seahawks are 4-3 and remain atop the NFC West entering next week’s game against the New York Giants at Qwest Field. The Giants are 5-2 and had their bye on Sunday.

But this one will smart for the Seahawks, for they didn’t accomplish and the things they allowed the Raiders to accomplish.

Darren McFadden became the first back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Seahawks this season (111 yards on 21 carries for a 5.3-yard average). Darrius Hayward-Bey caught five passes for 105 yards, including a 69-yard TD. Former University of Washington receiver Marcel Reece, the Raiders’ fullback, caught three passes for 90 yards and a TD and also ran twice for 32 yards. QB Jason Campbell completed 15 of 27 passes for 31 yards and two touchdowns for a 120.9 passer rating. Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals.

The worst part? The Seahawks were unable to deal with any of it.

“We just couldn’t stop it – the pass rush, the big plays on third downs,” Carroll said.

To make matters worse, their go-to players also struggled. Olindo Mare entered the game with a streak of 30 consecutive field goals, but missed two before finally hitting a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter to avert the embarrassment of being shutout. Williams, who had 21 receptions in the two-game winning streak, caught only one and dropped a pass at the Raiders’ 2-yard line. A run defense that entered the game ranked second in the league allowed 239 rushing yards – and the Seahawks yielded 545 overall.

Jon Ryan punted nine times, dropping five inside the 20-yard line. Leon Washington had a 43-yard punt return and a 45-yard kickoff return. But the Seahawks were able to capitalize on any of it.

“The best thing we can do,” Carroll said, “is get out of here.”

In addition to the injuries that occurred during the game, the Seahawks played without four injured starters – left tackle Russell Okung (ankle), fullback Michael Robinson (hamstring), defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (calf) and right cornerback Kelly Jennings (hamstring). Matt McCoy (hamstring), their leading special teams tackler, also sat out.

Tags: Ailments, Bey, coach pete carroll, Cramps, Darren Mcfadden, Eight Times, Fullback, Game Winning Streak, Hayward, Jason Campbell, Matt Hasselbeck, New York Giants, Nfc West, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland Raiders, Passer Rating, Polumbus, Qwest, Wide Receivers, Yard Td