Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 29-26 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Lumen Field:
OFFENSE
Full credit to Geno Smith. Seattle’s quarterback had all kinds of game management issues in the first half, culminating with the intentional-grounding penalty that caused the clock to run out in the first half with the Seahawks in field-goal range. But Smith led Seattle on three scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including going 50 yards in just 52 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal. The Seahawks finished with a season-high 489 yards, with a good mix between the run (120 yards) and the pass, and Smith was given plenty of time to throw. Third down (4-for-14) was again an issue, particularly in the second half.
Grade: B+
DEFENSE
Seattle’s defense was strong through three quarters. The Seahawks shut down the run, got pressure on Washington quarterback Sam Howell, draped the Commanders’ receivers and created a turnover on Devon Witherspoon’s strip that was recovered by Riq Woolen. The only plays of note Washington managed came during the scramble drill. But in the fourth quarter with the game on the line, the defense didn’t hold up. Twice the offense gave the defense a touchdown lead in the fourth, and both times the defense proceeded to give up a tying score, including with 52 seconds remaining when Washington was doing everything it could to mismanage the clock. Third down (7-for-15) was again an issue.
Grade: C
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Jason Myers had a rough start to the season on field goals, missing three in Seattle’s first two games. But he righted the ship, and Sunday he was a difference maker, hitting all five of his field goals, four of which were from 40-plus yards, including the 43-yarder as time expired that won it for the Seahawks. Myers was a little less effective on kickoffs, as he regularly came up short of the goal line, and while the Commanders never broke off a big return, they often started drives beyond the 25. Punter Michael Dickson was a tad short of his usual self, as the only one he got a hold of was the one he put into the end zone for a touchback.
Grade: B+
COACHING
What got into Pete Carroll? Seattle’s normally conservative head coach had the Seahawks go for it on fourth down four times, with Seattle making it twice while the other two were thwarted by pre-snap penalties. Defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt dialed up the blitz frequently and it was effective in making life difficult for Howell, and he also fixed a run defense that was ripped for almost 300 yards last week against Baltimore. There were a couple hiccups with timeout usage at the end of halves, which had more to do with players not getting out of bounds than play choice.
Grade: B
OVERALL
The big question for the Seahawks in this one was how they were going to respond to their 37-3 drubbing at the hands of the Ravens last week. For the most part Seattle did what it needed to do. Smith had a turnover-free game after turning the ball over eight times in the previous four contests, and the late-game heroics suggests he may be back on track. San Francisco ended its three-game losing streak by blowing out Jacksonville earlier in the day, so the result kept the Seahawks tied for first place in the NFC West at 6-3.
Grade: B
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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