Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 39-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Superdome:
OFFENSE
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith continued to show why it was the right decision to take the handbrake off the offense, throwing three long touchdown passes. Running back Kenneth Walker III breaking a 69-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter not only was important in the moment, but could be crucial moving forward after starter Rashaad Penny left the game with an ankle injury. There were a handful of issues — 1-for-9 on third down, receiver DK Metcalf struggling to hold onto the ball, going three-and-out with the game on the line at the end — but the loss can’t really be pinned on the offense.
Grade: B
DEFENSE
Seattle coach Pete Carroll stresses the importance of turnovers, and the Seahawks’ defense did a good job of turning the Saints over twice, one of which resulted in a nine-point swing at the end of the first half. However, that was about all Seattle’s defense did well. The Seahawks allowed 437 yards, had no answer for the running ability of Saints backup quarterback Taysom Hill, and couldn’t get off the field on third down as New Orleans was 8-for-14 on conversions, including a critical third-and-4 late in the game after Seattle used timeouts to save clock. And this was against an offense missing it’s No. 1 quarterback, No. 1 receiver and had no receiving threats available by the end of the game due to injury.
Grade: D
SPECIAL TEAMS
What in the world was punter Michael Dickson thinking when he took off running on a punt deep in Seahawks territory when there was nowhere to run? That was the worst moment of a calamitous game from Seattle’s special teams. Kicker Jason Myers shanked an extra point, and there were penalties left and right on punt plays, one of which may have indirectly led to the Dickson mistake and others that negated situations where the Saints were pinned deep in their own end. Myers drilling a 56-yard field goal was the only thing that prevented this from being a failing mark.
Grade: D-
COACHING
There were positive moments on offense, including the continued successful utilization of the tight ends, and the decision to take a shot at the end zone at the end of the first half rather than play for a shorter field-goal attempt paid off in spades in Smith’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett. The decision to go for two down by six in the fourth quarter was a debatable one. Hill is a known commodity, so the Seahawks knew those plays were coming, yet Seattle never once showed any sign of figuring out how to stop him.
Grade: C-
OVERALL
This game was there for the taking for Seattle, but the offense can’t do it all by itself, and Seahawks let one slip against a foe they’ll believe they should have beaten. Seattle had a favorable schedule to open the season, facing a series of non-formidable teams, including several who were forced to play without major offensive performers. The degree of difficulty ramps up beginning next week at home against NFC West rival Arizona, and the Seahawks will have to clean things up considerably if they want to prevent the season from getting away from them.
Grade: D+
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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