Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Klein (54) strip sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half of Sunday’s game at Bills Stadium. Seattle lost 44-34. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Klein (54) strip sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half of Sunday’s game at Bills Stadium. Seattle lost 44-34. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Grading the Seahawks’ 44-34 loss to the Bills

The defense receives a failing grade, and the rest of the team doesn’t fare much better.

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 44-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Bills Stadium:

OFFENSE

This is strange to say about a team that scored 34 points and gained 419 yards, but it was a rough day for Seattle’s offense. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson turned the ball over four times, throwing two interceptions and also losing two fumbles on strip sacks — two of those turnovers in particular came at soul-crushing moments. The turnovers were caused in large part by the fact that, according to the television broadcast, Wilson was knocked down 16 times, the most times any quarterback has been knocked down in a game this season. Seattle was able to create some quick-strike touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but TDs scored in the waning moments when trailing by three scores have to be graded on a curve.

Grade: D

DEFENSE

Well, the Seahawks sacked Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen seven times. But that’s what happens when an opposing team is able to move the ball at will through the air, necessitating blitzes on just about every snap. Allen sliced through Seattle’s defense like a hot knife through butter in the first half, throwing for 282 yards and three touchdowns as Buffalo built a 24-10 halftime lead. There was modest improvement in the second half, when the Seahawks forced the Bills to punt twice, but Seattle couldn’t get the third-down stop at the end when there was still a glimmer of hope. And the 44 points allowed were the most in a game during the Pete Carroll era.

Grade: F

SPECIAL TEAMS

The game’s tone was set by the opening kickoff, when Buffalo’s Andre Roberts fielded the kick deep in the end zone and proceeded to return it 60 yards into Seattle territory. After that there weren’t any major issues, with Jason Myers continuing to be money on field goals of 40-plus yards, and punter Michael Dickson was only called upon once. But the special teams didn’t do anything to turn the game in Seattle’s favor, including not coming close on any of the onside kick attempts late in the game.

Grade: C-

COACHING

Give the coaches at least some credit for trying. With the defense completely ineffective in the first half, the Seahawks sold out on the blitz the entire second half, and that changed things to an extent — though the Bills countered with some well-timed screen calls. Seattle also aggressively went for it on fourth downs, though that was dictated by being in a deep hole early in the game. However, the initial game plan didn’t work in any fashion, and the coaches never devised a way to prevent Wilson from getting hit. Before the game news broke that Carroll had signed a contract extension through 2025, but this didn’t end up being a good game for trumpeting that.

Grade: D+

OVERALL

Normally, a 10-point loss in the eastern time zone against a division leader wouldn’t be cause for all that much consternation. But even Carroll acknowledged during his postgame press conference that this was an unrecognizable performance by the Seahawks. The defense may have taken a small step forward last week against San Francisco, but it took a big step back against the Bills, and Wilson seems to be feeling the pressure to be perfect in order for Seattle to have a chance. That train horn going off constantly at Bills Stadium pretty much summed up the day.

Grade: D-

– Nick Patterson, Herald writer

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.