Grading the Seahawks in their 37-31 victory over the Lions

Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 37-31 overtime victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field:

OFFENSE

Quarterback Geno Smith and the offense redeemed themselves when they marched 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett in overtime. The redemption was necessary because the offense was a net-minus after Seattle took a 31-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter, which allowed the Lions to get the game into overtime. Overall Smith was good, which was important after he struggled mightily in the second half of last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Credit to the offensive line, which held up well (just one sack allowed) despite starting tackles Charles Cross and Archbishop Murphy High School graduate Abraham Lucas being out injured.

Grade: B

DEFENSE

The turnovers forced by Seattle’s defense were the true reason why the Seahawks won this game. The fumble forced by Uchenna Nwosu and recovered by Jarran Reed on the first play of the second half led to the tying touchdown and set the tone for the second half. Then Tre Brown’s pick-six midway through the fourth quarter gave Seattle separation as it increased its lead to 31-21. The Seahawks still struggled to generate much of a pass rush — just two sacks, both in the fourth quarter, and one of which was a coverage sack — and at times Detroit quarterback Jared Goff was able to do whatever he wanted. But the turnovers more than made up for it.

Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS

What’s going on with Jason Myers? The two-time Pro Bowl kicker has been as reliable as it gets on field goals since arriving in 2019, but he made just one of three kicks Sunday, and he’s now missed in each of Seattle’s first two games. Punter Michael Dickson didn’t have much to do, but he and Jake Bobo combined to crucially pin the Lions deep late in the first half. Returner DeeJay Dallas was solid on kickoff returns, but he had a curious fair catch on a punt late in the second quarter when it appeared he had space to gain Seattle field position for the two-minute drill.

Grade: C-

COACHING

Pete Carroll went against his natural instincts when he went for it on fourth and short in his own half of the field in the third quarter, a decision that ultimately led to three points. But it left dangling the question as to why he chose not to go for it on fourth-and 3 in Detroit’s territory late in the second. Seattle introduced some interesting wrinkles on offense with formations and blocking schemes that appeared to be effective, particularly in helping back-up tackles Stone Forsythe and Jake Curhan. Work still needs to be done in devising a way to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback. But most importantly the team seemed much better prepared to scrap than it was a week ago.

Grade: B

OVERALL

This was a crucial result for the Seahawks. Last week’s loss was as deflating as it gets, and Seattle had to follow that up with a road game against a team that upset the the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs on the road last week and was brimming with confidence. A bad loss to the Lions could have taken the wind completely out of the Seahawks’ sails with the season barely begun. Instead, Seattle responded with a quality win, and the optimism that surrounded the team heading into the season can now return.

Grade: B+

– Nick Patterson, Herald writer