Grading the Seahawks’ 17-9 loss to the Packers

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 17-9 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday:

OFFENSE

This was an ugly start to the season for Seattle’s offense. The offensive line, which the coaches insisted would be improved from last season, was anything but as quarterback Russell Wilson spent much of the game running from pressure. The return to the power running game never materialized, with much-ballyhooed free-agent signing Eddie Lacy managing just 3 yards on five carries in his return to Green Bay. The end result was just 225 yards of total offense and zero touchdowns.

Grade: D-

DEFENSE

With the offense providing little, the onus was on the defense to win the game. For one half it seemed the defense was up to the task, keeping the Packers off the scoreboard and sacking Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers four times during the first 30 minutes. However, with the Packers finishing with a two-to-one edge in time of possession, Seattle’s defense understandably wore down, allowing the Packers two time-consuming drives in the fourth quarter to salt away the game.

Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

The main reason Seattle had a 3-0 halftime lead was because of Jon Ryan, whose booming punts were the reason the Seahawks weren’t destroyed in the field-position battle because of the offense’s complete inability to move the ball. Tyler Lockett looked good returning kicks in his first appearance since suffering a broken leg last year. Kicker Blair Walsh had a successful debut, making all three of his field goal attempts.

Grade: B+

COACHING

Seattle eventually made an offensive adjustment, switching to the no-huddle and having Wilson get rid of the ball immediately after short dropbacks, thus alleviating the pressure on the beleaguered offensive line. However, it’s puzzling why it took until midway through the fourth quarter for that to happen. But the coaches get full credit for choosing to go for it in the final minute of the first half rather than just run out the clock, resulting in the field goal that gave Seattle the lead.

Grade: C

OVERALL

One needs to be careful about reading too much into the first game of the season, especially when it comes on the road against one of the favorites to win the NFC. One could argue that if an officiating call or two goes the other way then Seattle is right in this one. But there’s no hiding the fact that Seattle’s offense sputtered out of the gate, and the offensive line, which was such an issue the past two seasons, will no doubt be under scrutiny once again.

Grade: C

Nick Patterson, Herald writer