Despite all that had gone wrong for the Seahawks on Sunday, it looked like they might just have an improbable comeback up their sleeves.
With the Seahawks trailing by 10 points, Geno Smith and the offense marched 95 yard for a touchdown to make it a one-score game, and after the defense did its job forcing a three-and-out, the Seahawks had a chance to tie the game or take the lead, getting the ball back with 1:40 left on the clock.
A 32-yard scramble by Smith on the first play of that drive meant the Seahawks were in business, but when the drive stalled out and Jason Myers came out for the potential tying field goal, Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons made a game-saving play, leaping over the line to block the field goal. Receiver Bryace Ford-Wheaton then scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, putting the finishing touch on a 29-20 Giants win.
Here are five rapid reactions to the loss, which drops Seattle’s record to 3-2:
- The offense struggled to get on track until too late in the game.
The Seahawks put up huge offensive numbers in Monday night’s loss, but could not carry the momentum from that showing into Sunday’s game. Seattle had limited opportunities in the first half thanks to some long, clock-eating drives by the Giants, and when the Seahawks did have the ball, they punted on each of their first three possessions before getting a field goal in the final seconds of the half after Geno Smith completions to Kenneth Walker III and Tyler Lockett.
The Seahawks then looked like they might be getting on track on their first drive of the second half, moving well, but that drive ended in Giants territory when, for the second time in as many games, DK Metcalf lost a fumble while fighting for extra yardage. And as was the case in Monday’s game in Detroit, that turnover led to a touchdown for Seattle’s opponent.
The Seahawks did respond with a field goal after the turnover, but their following drive ended with a quick turnover on downs in their own territory, leading to a Giants field goal that made it a two-score game.
The Seahawks drove 95-yards for a touchdown, then got the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead, but after Jaxon Smith-Njigba couldn’t hold onto a third-down pass, Jason Myers’ game-tying field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown, ending the comeback hopes.
As Seattle’s 95-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive showed, the Seahawks have plenty of firepower to do some great things on offense, but they’ll need to find ways to move the ball more consistently in the coming games.