Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 31-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Lumen Field:
OFFENSE
After being abysmal in last week’s 13-10 loss at New Orleans, this was a far better showing by Seattle’s offense. Quarterback Geno Smith had his best game since taking over for injured starter Russell Wilson, completing his first 14 passes and playing a clean game. Receivers Tyler Lockett (12 catches) and DK Metcalf (two touchdown receptions) both had high-impact performances. The running game, after some initial success, lost effectiveness as the game went along, and there was a little too much three-and-out in the second half after the Seahawks built up their lead.
Grade: B-
DEFENSE
Let’s preface this with the fact the Jaguars did Seattle a lot of favors by being utterly inept offensively, particularly after starting running back James Robinson went out injured early in the game. But Seattle’s defense couldn’t have done much better. The Seahawks held Jacksonville to 309 yards, put pressure on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence, got a takeaway courtesy of Quandre Diggs’ second-quarter interception, made three stops on fourth down, only allowed the Jaguars to reach the red zone in garbage time, and came 1:49 away from pitching their first shutout since 2015. That’s about as close to perfect as it gets.
Grade: A
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams had little effect on the outcome of this one, though it did produce one of its most fun moments when Travis Homer returned an inconsequential late onside kick for a touchdown. Kicker Jason Myers made his only field-goal attempt, a 31-yarder. Seattle was good on kickoff coverage. Michael Dickson’s punting and the subsequent coverage was middling. Freddie Swain had one good punt return. It was a mostly clean performance, but nothing done on special teams by either team really swayed the game in a meaningful way.
Grade: B+
COACHING
In Smith’s previous two starts, the Seahawks seemed terrified with the idea of Smith throwing the ball more than five yards down the field. Against Jacksonville the coaches finally took the shackles off and Smith rewarded that decision by turning in an exceptional first-half performance. The coaches helped by finally dialing up targets for Metcalf and Lockett. The decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the first quarter — and the call for Smith to leap and thrust the ball over the goal line — was a tone setter. And the change to Ethan Pocic as the starting center seems like it was the correct one as Smith was protected well.
Grade: A
OVERALL
This game was absolute must-win for Seattle. Not so much because of the standings, as we’re still less than halfway through the season and the NFC wild-card race is a muddled mess at the moment. But if the Seahawks couldn’t beat a moribund Jacksonville team at home, even without Wilson, they had no business even thinking about the postseason. Seattle took care of business without a hint of drama, and with the Seahawks heading for their bye and possibly getting Wilson back from his finger injury afterwards, it provides Seattle a chance for a reset on its season.
Grade: A
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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