SEATTLE — Geno Smith began the week holding the top spot in the NFL for pass attempts and added 34 throws on Sunday, although three of those passes ended in interceptions. Despite their prolific passing, the Seattle Seahawks are slipping in the NFC standings.
In the Seahawks’ 26-20 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, Smith managed to throw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, but the three interceptions proved to be critical missteps, while Seattle continued to struggle with their rushing attack. “They have confidence in my judgment when the ball’s in my hands,” Smith reflected. “When my teammates perform well enough to give us a chance to win, I need to ensure we take advantage of that. The errors I made today negatively impacted us and were pivotal in costing us the game.”
The Seahawks, with a record of 4-5, have now dropped four consecutive home games and five of their last six overall during the tenure of rookie head coach Mike Macdonald. This recent performance has them at the bottom of a tightly contested NFC West heading into their bye week. “We’re doing our utmost to create a challenging environment at home,” Macdonald admitted. “Currently, that’s not happening. So, we need to put in the work. This bye week is crucial for us to improve.”
Kamren Kitchens was a standout defensively, recording two interceptions against Smith, both occurring in the red zone during the fourth quarter. Kitchens returned the first interception for an impressive 103-yard touchdown. While the Seahawks aimed to bolster their rushing performance, they tacked on a mere 107 yards against the Rams after 33 carries, averaging only 3.2 yards per attempt. In overtime, the Rams effectively shut down Kenneth Walker III on two consecutive plays, forcing a turnover that initiated their winning drive.
“Those were the plays we believed in, with the look we wanted,” Macdonald explained. “We need to convert a half yard with two attempts. Great teams excel in short-yardage situations, and right now, we aren’t achieving that.”
Seattle’s offense accumulated a potent total of 424 yards, with second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivering a stellar performance, racking up seven receptions for a career-high 180 yards and two touchdowns, with the Seahawks’ primary receiver, DK Metcalf, sidelined due to a sprained knee. Seattle attempted to maintain a balanced offensive strategy by giving Walker the ball 25 times, but he was unable to make significant yardage gains; his longest run was just 10 yards, and he finished the game with 83 yards.
Despite these setbacks, Smith expressed optimism about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season. “There are eight games left to achieve our goals,” Smith stated. “All our offseason preparation and weekly efforts culminate in this final stretch. This next eight-game segment is what truly matters.”