Not much went right for the Seahawks, who lost 34-12 despite out-gaining the Bengal 411-252. Special teams, for the second time this season, gave up multiple big returns, leading to 17 Cincinnati points. The offense showed signs of life with Tarvaris Jackson back under center, but couldn’t turn those yards into very many points, and the team committed 11 penalties for 80 yards.
“We’re getting in our own way way too much,” Pete Carroll said.
Also, Carroll once again had to answer for a curious coaching decision, this time his handling of the final seconds of the first half.
“I just wanted to jam it down there,” he said of the decision to go for it on fourth and two from the 3-yard line. Seattle got the first down, but time ran out before they could spike the ball and either another play from the 1-yard line or kick a field goal. Carroll admitted he should have just kicked the field goal, but that doesn’t mean he will the next time. Remember that game against the Chargers last year where the first half ended in very similar fashion? Well Carroll said then that he made a mistake and would have to learn from it.
As for the quarterback situation, Carroll said they were hoping to give Jackson one more week off to rest his strained pectoral muscle, but after the offense struggled early under Charlie Whitehurst, they decided to make the switch.
“I was hoping we could rest him another week,” Carroll said. “… But it just didn’t feel like were were moving anywhere (with Whitehurst).”
Receiver Mike Williams didn’t play because of a hamstring injury that happened late in the week. Carroll said Williams might have been able to play, but they didn’t think he’d be able to make it through the game.
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