Russell Wilson soars as Seahawks rout Bills 50-17

TORONTO (AP) — It wasn't that long ago when Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was worried about overwhelming rookie quarterback Russell Wilson with too much information.
That's no longer a concern after Wilson and the surging Seahawks showed they're capable of piling up points north of the border, too.
A week after a 58-0 win at home against Arizona, Wilson ran for three touchdowns and threw for another in a 50-17 rout of the Bills in Buffalo's annual game in Toronto on Sunday.
"I'm just thrilled that he's been able to continue to grow," Carroll said. "For a time, we were just trying to get the offense going and not screw it up and make sure he could keep growing.
"Well, we're past that now."
Wilson was unstoppable during a first half in which he directed scoring drives on the Seahawks' first five possessions in building a 31-7 lead. It was a stretch in which he scored on 14-, 25- and 13-yard runs to become the NFL's first quarterback to run for three touchdowns in one half since Daunte Culpepper did it against Chicago on Sept. 3, 2000, according to STATS. And Wilson's 4-yard touchdown pass to Zach Miller was his 21st of the season, moving into a tie for second with Cam Newton among NFL rookies. Only Peyton Manning, with 26 in 1998, has more.
Then the Seahawks' opportunistic defense took over by forcing three consecutive turnovers to start the second half, including safety Earl Thomas scoring on 57-yard interception return.
"We're definitely clicking well," Wilson said, a third-round draft pick out of Wisconsin. "I've been on a couple of teams that have scored that many in college. But to do it in the National Football League, I mean that's really tough to do."
He's not kidding.
The Seahawks became the NFL's third team to score 50 points in consecutive weeks, joining the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants, who both did it in 1950, according to STATS. And the 108 combined points over two weeks matched the NFL's third-highest total. The New England Patriots also scored 108 points in consecutive games last month, according to STATS.
And it's happening with the Seahawks (9-5) mounting a playoff push. They've won for the fifth time in six games and still aren't out of the running to win the NFC West. They return home to host division-leading San Francisco in what has become a key showdown.
The Bills (5-9) find themselves in a familiar state of unraveling. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a 13th season — the NFL's longest active drought. And their performance further raises questions about coach Chan Gailey's job security.
"We played bad. We played poorly. And when you play poorly against a good football team you're going to look extremely bad," Gailey said. "You're angry at yourself because you didn't get the team ready to play at the level they needed to play."
The defense had a meltdown in giving up 45 or more points three times this season.
The offense sputtered for much of the first half before scoring 10 points in the final 1:10 cut the Seahawks' lead to 31-17.
And then things got ugly.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in turning the ball over on each of the Bills' first three possessions. The Seahawks capitalized by turning the three turnovers into 17 points.
"It went downhill from there fast," said Fitzpatrick, who was more upset about how the team's performance reflected on Gailey. "We played poorly and it reflects poorly on him. It eats me up."
Fitzpatrick went 21 of 38 for 217 yards with a 20-yard touchdown to Stevie Johnson. C.J. Spiller had 103 yards rushing and scored on a 14-yard run.
Wilson went 14 of 23 for 205 yards passing, and had 92 yards rushing.
It was an outing that came on an international stage on a day the NFL's two most talked about rookie quarterbacks were either hurt — Washington's Robert Griffin III — or lost — Indianapolis' Andrew Luck.
"The kid is destined to be great," receiver Golden Tate said. "You didn't expect Russell Wilson to even be in the Rookie of the Year talk. The fact that he's responded and led this team this far, I think that says a lot."
Running back Marshawn Lynch had 113 yards rushing and scored on a 13-yard run in his first game against his former team. Defensive end Chris Clemons had 2 1/2 of Seattle's three sacks.
The Bills dropped to 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto since the series began in 2008.
The Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications are closing in on a deal to extend the series, which expired after this game.
Torontonians might want to reconsider after this. With 5:20 left, fans in one end zone began chanting "Let's Go Blue Jays!"
At least they were entertained by both the Seahawks and at halftime by Korean pop star PSY performed his hit "Gangnam Style" at midfield.
The announced crowd of 40,770 was well below the downtown domed Rogers Centre's capacity of 54,000. And many who stuck around for the second half started rooting for the Seahawks.
That was fine for Carroll, who made his first trip to Toronto.
"This was exciting for us. We looked at it like a little bit of a bowl-game situation," Carroll said. "The 12th man north was there."
NOTES: While there were numerous fans dressed in Bills and Seahawks colors, fans were spotted wearing a Steelers' Troy Polamalu jersey, and another wearing a Tom Brady No. 12 Patriots jersey. ... Spiller reached 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career, and needed only 154 carries to get there. That's the second-fewest behind only Chicago Bears Beattie Feathers, who reached 1,000 yards on 119 carries in 1934. ... The Seahawks wore their third uniforms — "wolf grey" jerseys and pants with green numbers and names — for the first time since introducing them this offseason.
That's no longer a concern after Wilson and the surging Seahawks showed they're capable of piling up points north of the border, too.
A week after a 58-0 win at home against Arizona, Wilson ran for three touchdowns and threw for another in a 50-17 rout of the Bills in Buffalo's annual game in Toronto on Sunday.
"I'm just thrilled that he's been able to continue to grow," Carroll said. "For a time, we were just trying to get the offense going and not screw it up and make sure he could keep growing.
"Well, we're past that now."
Wilson was unstoppable during a first half in which he directed scoring drives on the Seahawks' first five possessions in building a 31-7 lead. It was a stretch in which he scored on 14-, 25- and 13-yard runs to become the NFL's first quarterback to run for three touchdowns in one half since Daunte Culpepper did it against Chicago on Sept. 3, 2000, according to STATS. And Wilson's 4-yard touchdown pass to Zach Miller was his 21st of the season, moving into a tie for second with Cam Newton among NFL rookies. Only Peyton Manning, with 26 in 1998, has more.
Then the Seahawks' opportunistic defense took over by forcing three consecutive turnovers to start the second half, including safety Earl Thomas scoring on 57-yard interception return.
"We're definitely clicking well," Wilson said, a third-round draft pick out of Wisconsin. "I've been on a couple of teams that have scored that many in college. But to do it in the National Football League, I mean that's really tough to do."
He's not kidding.
The Seahawks became the NFL's third team to score 50 points in consecutive weeks, joining the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants, who both did it in 1950, according to STATS. And the 108 combined points over two weeks matched the NFL's third-highest total. The New England Patriots also scored 108 points in consecutive games last month, according to STATS.
And it's happening with the Seahawks (9-5) mounting a playoff push. They've won for the fifth time in six games and still aren't out of the running to win the NFC West. They return home to host division-leading San Francisco in what has become a key showdown.
The Bills (5-9) find themselves in a familiar state of unraveling. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a 13th season — the NFL's longest active drought. And their performance further raises questions about coach Chan Gailey's job security.
"We played bad. We played poorly. And when you play poorly against a good football team you're going to look extremely bad," Gailey said. "You're angry at yourself because you didn't get the team ready to play at the level they needed to play."
The defense had a meltdown in giving up 45 or more points three times this season.
The offense sputtered for much of the first half before scoring 10 points in the final 1:10 cut the Seahawks' lead to 31-17.
And then things got ugly.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in turning the ball over on each of the Bills' first three possessions. The Seahawks capitalized by turning the three turnovers into 17 points.
"It went downhill from there fast," said Fitzpatrick, who was more upset about how the team's performance reflected on Gailey. "We played poorly and it reflects poorly on him. It eats me up."
Fitzpatrick went 21 of 38 for 217 yards with a 20-yard touchdown to Stevie Johnson. C.J. Spiller had 103 yards rushing and scored on a 14-yard run.
Wilson went 14 of 23 for 205 yards passing, and had 92 yards rushing.
It was an outing that came on an international stage on a day the NFL's two most talked about rookie quarterbacks were either hurt — Washington's Robert Griffin III — or lost — Indianapolis' Andrew Luck.
"The kid is destined to be great," receiver Golden Tate said. "You didn't expect Russell Wilson to even be in the Rookie of the Year talk. The fact that he's responded and led this team this far, I think that says a lot."
Running back Marshawn Lynch had 113 yards rushing and scored on a 13-yard run in his first game against his former team. Defensive end Chris Clemons had 2 1/2 of Seattle's three sacks.
The Bills dropped to 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto since the series began in 2008.
The Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications are closing in on a deal to extend the series, which expired after this game.
Torontonians might want to reconsider after this. With 5:20 left, fans in one end zone began chanting "Let's Go Blue Jays!"
At least they were entertained by both the Seahawks and at halftime by Korean pop star PSY performed his hit "Gangnam Style" at midfield.
The announced crowd of 40,770 was well below the downtown domed Rogers Centre's capacity of 54,000. And many who stuck around for the second half started rooting for the Seahawks.
That was fine for Carroll, who made his first trip to Toronto.
"This was exciting for us. We looked at it like a little bit of a bowl-game situation," Carroll said. "The 12th man north was there."
NOTES: While there were numerous fans dressed in Bills and Seahawks colors, fans were spotted wearing a Steelers' Troy Polamalu jersey, and another wearing a Tom Brady No. 12 Patriots jersey. ... Spiller reached 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career, and needed only 154 carries to get there. That's the second-fewest behind only Chicago Bears Beattie Feathers, who reached 1,000 yards on 119 carries in 1934. ... The Seahawks wore their third uniforms — "wolf grey" jerseys and pants with green numbers and names — for the first time since introducing them this offseason.
Boy, the next two weeks will tell us a lot about the Hawks. I have been very impressed the last several weeks but haven't played a team like the niners....since the niners. Lets just win this weekend so we don't need to worry about winning our last game to make the playoffs
Great win for the Hawks and now the Niners come to town, time to lace up the big boy shoes really tight and play smash mouth football, Go Hawks....
finally...here come the big bad 49ers...too bad tom brady & co couldn't complete comeback but sun nite's game huge...GO HAWKS!
 @bartle_doo If anything Brady achieved a positive by showing that it's possible to throw for almost 500 yards against the 49ers defense. Brady had a better day against the 49ers defense than he did the Seahawks if I'm not mistaken, which is also good news for the Seahawks. Surprisingly I think the weather affected the Patriots worse than the 49ers. It would be interesting to see them play again in nicer weather.
Great job by the Seahawks. Clemmons and Wilson played great yesterday. Pete Carroll's fake punt call was brutal but it sent a message that we play to win and to expect the unexpected when you go up against the new and improved Seahawks. It would've been nice if Brady could've rallied his men to a victory and take Harbough down, but Brady won my season in my FF league so not all is lost with that game. I cannot WAIT to see Harbough's whiny face next week when we stomp all over his team. Hopefully Cardinals can pull it together and send them home with another loss the following week.Â
I was one of those people who said nobody would take the Hawks seriously until they won a meaningful road game. Now they've won 2. (Okay, 1.5. They got a huge break playing a 'road' game in a half-filled dome in Canada instead of battling the weather and the fans in Buffalo.)
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But they do demand to be taken seriously. They are now a legitimate playoff team, and fans have a right to be excited. Beyond that ... eh.
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Talk to me if they put up 50 on the 49ers next week. Heck, talk to me if they put up 20.
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 @MVDad OK, how about 42? :)
 @MVDad They also beat Carolina convincingly on the road, so it should be 2.5 now. While Carolina isn't great, in my opinion they are better than Buffalo and just as far in terms of distance traveled if not slightly further. They lost some heart breakers and to some terrible teams, but they have now beaten the Redskins and Falcons in convincing fashion.
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Since the first 4-5 games, the Seahawks lost because of defense issues. If the Seahawks defense plays consistent with how they played during the first meeting with the 49ers and the offense continues to show it's offense improvement, they have a good shot on Sunday. My only fear is that the 49ers defense will be extra motivated to shut down the 50+ point scoring the Seahawks had the past couple weeks and come out extra fired up.
@MVDad The Patriots knocked a few of Harboughs guys out of the game and hopefully they'll stay out. Kaepernick looked like a frightened kitten in the second half. This young Seahawk team won't be afraid to strike and take him down. Carroll and Harbough have a history, so I won't be surprised if Carroll pulls off a few controversial plays, that sends Harbough into a rage of tears on the sidelines. Hopefully the Steeler Refs won't be on the field for this game.
@MVDad I don't think anyone would suggest that putting up 50 on SF would be easy or even likely. 20 points and a win would suit me fine. But you beat the teams you are supposed to beat and 50-17 is convincing. You certainly can't hold that as a negative.
Not a bad day when you reach over 200 yards passing on only 14 completions. The Seahawks will have to play more consistent defense if they are going to beat the 49ers next week. An elite defense shouldn't give up 17 points in a half against a bad team. It was nice to see them regroup after halftime and shut down the Bills in the second half, but they need to do that the entire game against the 49ers.
Stellar win, and setting up for a HUGE rivalry game next Sunday. Soooo looking forward to being there.
Where is that character on here always complaining how we are only going to win two more and Russell is bad. Always the first to criticize but never here to congratulate
Yea because LETS GO LEAFS is an embarrassment for T.O. (How do I know this? I'm a HABS fan, and we're embarrassed for the fans of T.O.) Glad to see Seattle win though, now lets see if they can make it all the way to the Superbowl. :D
And the East Coast sports "guru's" grow silent.............*snicker* How do you like us NOW?
 @Wolfen You're asking this to a bunch of people in T.O. who haven't been past the Prairies, let alone Vancouver.
We should have sent the Seattle Mist to play the Bills! No battle whatsoever! Too Easy!
 @tiger62 the Moist play team ball and emphasize the fundamentals. They are great role-models.
WOW two in a row. The world will end soon.
WTG Seahawks!!
Another spanking!
A few breaks for the Bills. Otherwise the score would have been 60 something to 17. Let's do it again next week to control the NFC West!
Outstanding game for the hawks!Â
Russel Wilson is a damn fine young QB. Kinda reminds me of a cross between Fran Tarkenton & Joe Montana, but only time will tell if that becomes true. He is doing a great job. Good Luck next week Hawks !!
So I suppose the East Coast sports commentators will explain this as Buffalo not trying or giving up. Let them. Let them underestimate Seattle all the way through the Super Bowl. And may they bet their life savings against the 'Hawks on that day. It will be such fun to see them all parading around wearing barrels.
If it wasn't for the 17 points the Bills socred I would have though I was watching last weeks game.
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GO SEAHAWKS!
ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHT FRIKKIN' POINTS IN EIGHT FRIKKIN' DAYS!
Hell, I've lived through seasons where by beloved SuperChickens didn't rack up 125 pts all year! INCLUDING the pre-season!
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Dear 49er's, you just keep on messin' with your quarterback position. You got one week. Oh, and how does that tie game taste *now*?
--12th Men Everywhere
@svensson their new QB threw 4 TDs to take down Brady and co. in Foxboro in Dec. Looking like Harbs knows a little something about the QB position.
jb, you my boy and all, but referring to Harbaugh as "Harbs" is a little odd. Did you two go to college together, or is that his street name in SF?
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 @jb_22  @svensson Better than Pete Carroll? Will find out next week.
 @nwsportstilidie  @jb_22  @svensson Pete Carroll's record: Whitehurst, T-Jack, Wilson.  So far he is 1 for 3 and so far that 1 has redeemed the other 2.  I don't think next week will determine who has the better QB.  Give it a couple seasons.  I'd like to believe we do, but I'm also becoming a believer in Kap.  How much of that is the system (Smith was horrible until Harbs came along) and how much is him I don't know.
Sweetness!
Back to back beatings. Enjoy it, have a great flight, then as soon as you land, prep mode for San Fran. We owe them an arse whooping. Well done boys