Grading the Seahawks in their 24-10 loss to the Chiefs

Published 1:53 pm Saturday, December 24, 2022

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium:

OFFENSE

It was ugly in the first half as Seattle’s offensive line was completely caved in. The second half was better, particularly in the run game as Kenneth Walker III finally found some running room. But Seattle couldn’t convert a third down for its life (2-for-14). Quarterback Geno Smith had limited effectiveness, and his fourth-quarter interception in the end zone was a back breaker. With receiver Tyler Lockett out injured, DK Metcalf had a much more difficult time getting open as Kansas City constantly double-teamed Seattle’s only remaining big-play threat in the passing game. Seattle’s 333 yards are misleading as many of those came in garbage time.

Grade: D

DEFENSE

Facing the NFL’s top offense, Seattle’s defense did about as much as one could have hoped. Kansas City’s 297 yards were a season low, and the Chiefs’ four three-and-outs were a season high. It wasn’t a perfect day for the Seahawks, they struggled to generate pressure on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and poor tackling — which has been an issue for Seattle all season long — played a big role in Kansas City racing to a 17-0 lead in the first half. But the defense wasn’t the reason why the Seahawks lost this one.

Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams were a little hit and miss. Punter Michael Dickson was generally excellent, but he also had one bad shank when he had a chance to pin the Chiefs deep in their own end. Kick returner Godwin Igwebuike has been a revelation in recent weeks, and he broke off another long return in the first quarter, but he also had a muff in the second quarter that forced Seattle to begin a drive inside its own 10. Punt returner DeeJay Dallas drifted back and fair caught one inside his own 10 when he should have let it bounce. Kicker Jason Myers didn’t get a chance to make an impact as the Seahawks consistently went for it on fourth down.

Grade: C+

COACHING

What got into Pete Carroll? The usually-conservative coach went for it on fourth down left and right, and while it was understandable in the circumstances, some of the play calls on fourth were head scratching. There were good adjustments made on both sides of the ball at halftime, as Seattle at least managed some pressure on Mahomes in the second half, and giving the ball to Walker on sweeps to get him outside into space worked well. Timeout usage was questionable, as the Seahawks burned timeouts early in each half that would have been valuable at the end.

Grade: C

OVERALL

This was always going to be a difficult challenge, playing a team as strong as Kansas City on the road in sub-freezing conditions, so the loss wasn’t unexpected. Seattle was helped out in its playoff hopes as Detroit and the New York Giants both lost Saturday morning as well, so the situation hasn’t shifted much. However, this was still Seattle’s fifth loss in its past six games, the Seahawks are back below .500 for the first time since Week 5, and they remain out of a playoff spot heading into the final two weeks of the season. Seattle needs to begin winning some games to make the scoreboard watching relevant.

Grade: C-

– Nick Patterson, Herald writer