SEATTLE — Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seattle Seahawks initiated the season with a promising 3-0 record. However, the team soon faced adversity, suffering a streak of three consecutive losses, only to rebound with a convincing victory in Atlanta. This win appeared to restore some confidence and position Macdonald’s squad as contenders for a playoff spot. Yet, following a disappointing 31-10 defeat against the Buffalo Bills at home, the team’s outlook for the remainder of the season has become uncertain.
“We were outplayed and outcoached, and we have to address that,” Macdonald stated after the game. “It feels like we are often revisiting this topic about returning to work on Tuesday, confronting the issues head-on, and aiming to turn things around.”
The Seahawks faced challenges in various aspects of their game. A crucial penalty by linebacker Derick Hall led to frustration, culminating in a heated exchange between him and defensive end Jarran Reed—a moment that illustrated the struggles Seattle experienced throughout the match.
In the second quarter, the Seahawks had two red zone opportunities but managed to score only three points. A mishap from center Connor Williams, who snapped the ball over quarterback Geno Smith’s head, forced the Seahawks to settle for a field goal. Later, on a fourth-and-goal attempt from just one yard away, a misstep from Williams, who stepped on Smith’s foot, resulted in a turnover on downs.
Against Seattle, the Bills showcased their offensive prowess, limiting the Seahawks to only 32 rushing yards on 17 carries, with Kenneth Walker III contributing just 12 yards on nine carries. In stark contrast, Buffalo amassed 445 total yards, including 164 rushing yards and 281 passing yards.
Seattle’s discipline was lacking, as they racked up 11 penalties for a loss of 82 yards, the most detrimental being Hall’s roughing-the-passer call, which directly led to a touchdown for Buffalo. “When you look at everything we aimed to accomplish, I don’t think we achieved any of it today,” Smith expressed. “It’s important for us to reflect on our performance and take responsibility.”
Despite the loss, the Seahawks can take comfort in the fact that they are still in contention for the NFC West title, as Arizona and San Francisco both emerged victorious, creating a three-way tie, all teams sitting at 4-4.
On a positive note, punter Michael Dickson delivered a commendable performance, punting a total of 245 yards over four attempts for an impressive average of 61.3 yards.
Unfortunately, the run defense faltered after a strong showing the previous week, allowing Buffalo to dominate on the ground with 164 rushing yards on 34 attempts—averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Running back James Cook notably had a standout game, rushing for 111 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
In brighter news, cornerback Josh Jobe recorded his first career interception by picking off a pass from quarterback Josh Allen targeted for wide receiver Amari Cooper, returning it 33 yards. This interception marked a milestone, breaking Allen’s impressive streak of 300 pass attempts without a pick. Jobe’s performance, which included seven tackles and a pass deflection, illustrates his potential for increased playtime in upcoming games, especially after being elevated from the practice squad recently.
Conversely, center Connor Williams faced criticism for his high snap on a crucial second-and-goal play, which could have led to a touchdown. Instead, the Seahawks were forced to settle for a field goal. After recovering from Jobe’s interception, Williams’ error prevented the team from capitalizing on the momentum. “I need to be reliable and consistent, and I fell short,” Williams admitted.
Injury-wise, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones sustained a shoulder injury but managed to return to the field. Meanwhile, wide receiver DK Metcalf was inactive due to a knee issue.
A noteworthy statistic from the game highlights the Seahawks’ struggles: they were outgained by 212 yards, with the Bills achieving 29 first downs compared to Seattle’s 17. Buffalo’s success rate on third down was 8 of 15, while the Seahawks converted just 1 of 7 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. Though the Rams are currently at the bottom of the NFC West standings, they remain within striking distance of the leading trio.