Remember when we sucked? (It should be easy it is most of the last ten years.)

Even when we sucked, we often gave a MUCH BETTER Seahawks team all that they could take, and sometimes we even won against them when they were clearly better.

Seahawks are a well coached team with an elite QB. Yes, the talent level around him is subpar. But their strength (run offense) matches up directly with our biggest weakness (run defense.)

Division games among well coached teams are always going to be tough. We came out of this one with a win.

Sure, I am concerned about the defense, and this team is starting to look a lot like 2000. But remember, that team went 10-6. We are likely looking at 13-3 worst case.

If I had told you in August that in November we would be 9-1, would you have predicted that the mood on the board would be dour, pessimistic and nitpicky? Or would you have expected that we would be flying high?

I am happy with this win because it is one more in the W column for us and one more in the L column for the hyper-annoying Pete Carroll and his classy QB.

I am happy to be 9-1.

I am happy that this team has the mental toughness to win close games, even when the game was close partly because of dumb mistakes (I'm looking at you Personal fouls!)

And I am always happy when the Patriots get spanked.

So while joining all of you in wishing we were playing better defense, on the balance I will take the W and the 9-1 record and wear my gear with pride.