In a decisive matchup on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks halted their three-game losing streak with a convincing 34-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Geno Smith was instrumental in this triumph, throwing for two touchdowns, while Derick Hall contributed significantly with a 36-yard fumble return that sealed the game for Seattle.
The Seahawks, now standing at 4-3, effectively disrupted the Falcons’ momentum, which had seen them score an impressive average of 37 points in their previous games. Smith completed 18 of his 28 attempts for a total of 207 yards. Although this performance was his second-lowest this season, it proved to be more than sufficient to contain the Falcons’ offense.
Smith’s touchdowns included a 17-yard pass to Kenneth Walker and a crucial 31-yard connection with DK Metcalf just before the half. Late in the third quarter, Walker’s touchdown reception put Seattle ahead 24-14, allowing the defense to take control.
The turning point came when Kirk Cousins was pressured by Boye Mafe during a throw attempt, resulting in a fumble that Hall quickly scooped up and took to the end zone with 12:46 left in the game. Cousins’ struggles continued as he threw interceptions on his final two drives and was sacked three times. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. entered the game to conclude Atlanta’s disappointing performance.
While the Seahawks celebrated their much-needed win, it was overshadowed by concerns over Metcalf’s knee injury, which occurred during an acrobatic catch attempt late in the third quarter. The severity of Metcalf’s injury remains uncertain.
Walker also showcased his talent, scoring on a 20-yard run that initially gave Seattle a 10-0 advantage. Place kicker Jason Myers contributed with field goals of 38 and 59 yards.
The Seahawks’ defense, which had struggled throughout the losing streak, stepped up significantly in this game. The Falcons managed to narrow the gap to 10-7 after a dominating 70-yard drive that was largely fueled by their ground game led by Bijan Robinson’s seven carries for 55 yards, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run.
Nevertheless, Seattle managed to regain momentum before halftime. Smith’s accurate passing allowed the Seahawks to advance to the end zone, and rather than settling for a field goal, they opted for one last play. This decision proved wise as Smith connected with Metcalf for a touchdown just four seconds before the halftime whistle, extending Seattle’s lead to 17-7.
In the third quarter, Cousins found a glimmer of hope, throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Drake London, but this marked the last significant effort from the Falcons.
Injury updates revealed that Metcalf’s situation loomed large for the Seahawks, although they experienced an otherwise uneventful day on the health front. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II returned after three games on the sidelines, providing a much-needed boost to a decimated defense.
On the Falcons’ side, they had to contend with several injuries, including left guard Matthew Bergeron, who left the game with a neck issue. Center Ryan Neuzil briefly exited but made his return before halftime. Tight end Charlie Woerner was cleared after concussion protocols, while safety Justin Simmons managed to play despite hamstring concerns. Outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter was placed on injured reserve before the match.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to return home to face the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, while the Falcons will head to Tampa Bay for a rematch against their NFC South rival Buccaneers.