Grading the Seahawks’ 24-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 24-22 playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas:

OFFENSE

For most of the game Seattle’s offense was completely ineffectual. The Seahawks’ running game, which led the NFL during the regular season, managed just 73 yards on 24 carries. Seattle was a putrid 2-for-13 in converting third downs. Quarterback Russell Wilson wasn’t unleashed until Seattle was trailing by two scores with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. But credit receivers Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin for making unbelievable catches, and the offense came up with the late score that at least made Dallas sweat.

Grade: D+

DEFENSE

Seattle’s defense did all it could to hold Dallas at bay, but there was only so much it could manage with no help from the offense. The Seahawks made important plays in the second half with the game in the balance, first with the third-quarter three-and-out deep in Dallas territory that resulted in a short field and led to the touchdown that gave Seattle a 14-10 lead, then with K.J. Wright’s interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter that kept Seattle in the game when trailing 17-14. But the defense tired late in each half, giving up touchdown drives that were killers.

Grade: B-

SPECIAL TEAMS

There was a lot of good and a lot of bad for Seattle’s special teams. On the positive side were Lockett’s 52-yard kickoff return that gave the Seahawks a chance at points at the end of the first half, as well as Michael Dickson and Justin Coleman combining on a punt downed at the 2 that could have been the turning point in the game. But Seattle also allowed a 51-yard punt return, lost kicker Sebastian Janikowski to injury and had no chance on the onside kick at the end as Dickson’s drop-kick attempt ended up being a routine fair catch.

Grade: C

COACHING

The offensive game plan and play calling gave the Seahawks little chance to win the game. Seattle was predictable (run plays called constantly on first down) and overly conservative (waving the white flag on third and long with short gainers), meaning Wilson — the Seahawks’ best offensive weapon — never had a chance affect the game. Seattle also never solved the third-down blitz, which was something Seattle should have worked on after being abused by Arizona a week earlier. Pete Carroll burned a second-half timeout by losing a challenge, but it seemed a worthwhile shot at the time.

Grade: D-

OVERALL

There was a lot that didn’t go right for Seattle in this one, and the Seahawks always seemed like the lesser team. But when all was said and done Seattle lost by two points on the road in a game in which it was the underdog. The Seahawks’ season is now over, but by just getting to the playoffs it went further than anyone predicted before the season began.

Grade: C