3 takeaways from the Seahawks’ 31-25 victory over the Bills

Here’s three takeaways from the Seattle Seahawks’ 31-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night at CenturyLink Field:

1) Russell Wilson is finally starting to look like himself.

For weeks we’ve heard the Seahawks and Wilson try to downplay Wilson’s injuries. Ever since Wilson suffered a sprained right ankle in Seattle’s season opener, he’s been unable to move like normal, a problem that was exacerbated in Week 3 when Wilson suffered a sprained left knee. Then in Week 6 Wilson suffered a strained pectoral muscle in his throwing arm. The net result was a Wilson who performed below his usual standards. He was unable to use his legs as a weapon, either in the running game or as a scrambler, and last week against New Orleans he was unable to throw the ball deep.

But all of that was considerably better Monday. Wilson aired it out to Doug Baldwin for a 50-yard completion on Seattle’s fifth offensive play of the game. On the very next play he faked a handoff and ran around the right edge for a 3-yard touchdown, his first TD run of the season. He finished the game 20-for-26 for 282 yards and two touchdowns — with both TDs going to tight end Jimmy Graham, who caught each of them one-handed on what was a monster day for him. And while Wilson didn’t run for volume, he was able to scramble for a first down, something he hasn’t been able to do in recent weeks. Seattle had just one touchdown on its previous 23 offensive possessions coming into the game, but the Wilson managed to put that dubious stretch to bed.

Wilson is finally starting to look healthier, and that has to be ominous for the rest of the NFC, which sees the 5-2-1 Seahawks in second position in the playoff race despite Wilson’s injuries.

2) Seattle’s’ defense is wearing down under its heavy workload.

The Seahawks’ defense had a rough day at the office. Seattle allowed Buffalo 425 yards offense, the most its allowed this season with the exception of the 6-6 tie against the Arizona Cardinals which lasted an extra 15 minutes. The Seahawks allowed the Bills to score on their first three drives, making it nine straight possessions allowing a score going back to the previous week’s 25-20 loss to New Orleans. Seattle allowed Buffalo to convert 12 of its 17 third downs. This is not the Seahawks defense we’re used to seeing.

But it’s not all the defense’s fault. Seattle’s defense found itself on the field for 40:17 Monday, the third straight week the defense has had an impossible workload — 46:21 in that overtime game against Arizona, 36:12 last week. Seattle is badly losing the time-of-possession battle every week, and it’s taking a physical toll. The defense didn’t help itself by being unable to get off the field on third down, but the offense isn’t helping either as the Seahawks ran the ball just 12 times and found themselves trying to run out the clock late in the game by throwing the ball.

This is the type of thing that could have long-term effects on the defense. Starters Kam Chancellor (groin) and Michael Bennett (knee) are already sidelined, and although the Seahawks got through Monday’s game without any further injuries, the wear and tear no doubt is having an effect.

3) The Seahawks are still kings of Monday night.

Somehow, some way, Seattle is going to win on Monday night.

Monday’s victory was Seattle’s 11th straight victory on Monday night, including seven straight since Pete Carroll became head coach in 2010. Seattle’s 11-game winning streak is the second-longest in Monday Night Football history, only short of the 14-game winning streak put together by the Oakland Raiders from 1975-81. The last time the Seahawks lost on Monday night was all the way back on Dec. 6 of 2004, when Seattle dropped a 43-39 decision to the Dallas Cowboys. Seattle’s all-time record on Monday night is 23-8, and the .742 winning percentage is the best of any NFL franchise.

There’s just something about the bright lights and the big stage that brings out the best in the Seahawks. OK, maybe the Seahawks weren’t at their best in this particular Monday night game, but the personality of this team is such that when its the center of attention, it finds a way to win.