Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 19-16 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Lumen Field:
OFFENSE
This was a pretty ugly performance by Seattle’s offense. Yes, the Seahawks gained 402 yards and running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 114. But Seattle was an abysmal 1-for-11 on third down and went 0-for-4 on touchdowns after entering the red zone, the worst coming late in the fourth quarter when the Seahawks couldn’t punch the ball in on four plays inside the 5 for what likely would have been the game-winning touchdown. Quarterback Geno Smith had two egregious interceptions and should have had three, and the Seahawks were fortunate those mishaps only led to three Rams points. Smith saved his day with a beautiful inch-perfect 36-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett in the third quarter, along with some timely scrambles that helped Seattle get into overtime.
Grade: D+
DEFENSE
The defense deserves credit for keeping Seattle in this one, holding the Rams to 269 yards. Seattle did allow Los Angeles running back Cam Akers to crack the century mark, but the Seahawks were all over the Rams’ passing game, sacking quarterback Baker Mayfield five times and eliminating any deep threats. Free safety Quandre Diggs had perhaps the most important play of the game when he intercepted Mayfield in overtime when it appeared the receiver was open for a huge gain. However, all the defensive success comes with an asterisks, considering Los Angeles’ top offensive players are out injured.
Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Seattle’s special-teams play was going so well right up until Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers put what would have been the game-winning 46-yard field goal off the right upright as time expired in regulation. But otherwise the special teams were immaculate. There were quality returns by both punt returner DeeJay Dallas and kick returner Godwin Igwebuike. Punter Michael Dickson had some good pins, and he kept the game-tying drive alive in the fourth quarter when he drew a questionable running-into-the-kicker penalty. And Myers redeemed himself by making the 32-yard field goal that won it in overtime.
Grade: B+
COACHING
There was some creativity shown on offense early in the game when Seattle successfully sprung the wildcat mid-drive. On defense the Seahawks dialed up the blitz at what turned out to be good times. The decision to go for it on fourth-and-inches at the L.A. 21 in the fourth quarter when a field goal would have tied it was sound, and it worked when Walker converted. However, Seattle still had to settle for a tying field goal when the Seahawks couldn’t find a scoring play inside the 5. Seattle’s use of timeouts was questionable as it found itself short at the end of each half.
Grade: B
OVERALL
This was a must-win game for Seattle if the Seahawks wanted a chance at the playoffs, and though it required overtime Seattle did its part. It maybe shouldn’t have been this difficult, given the Rams had nothing to play for and were missing so many key players, and the Seahawks needed a lot of things to go right in the fourth quarter both to tie the score and put themselves in position to win at the end of regulation. But it was enough, and with Detroit beating Green Bay later in the evening, the Seahawks earned the NFC’s last wild-card berth. A winning record and a playoff berth are a remarkable accomplishment, given the preseason expectations.
Grade: B-
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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