Seahawks Unable To Make Plays When Needed In 17-0 Loss To Packers

The Seahawks defense played its heart out and a little bit more. In the end, the mind was willing but the body not so much. A stellar effort by a much-improved Hawks defense that held Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense to just three points after three-quarters of play was simply wasted.

Yes, the knee-jerk reaction here is to blame the Seahawks’ 17-0 loss to the Packers on Russell Wilson and the offense.  That view is not completely off base. Yes, Wilson had two interceptions that look like ill-advised decisions from an outsider’s perspective.  The first transgression was during the Seahawk’s second drive of the second half and their best at that point in the game. On 3rd and 10 from the Packers 12-yard line, Wilson threw into the left corner of the endzone looking for DK Metcalf. Wilson’s pass was intercepted by the Packers Kevin King who broke on the errant pass.  It looked to be a timing mishap.  Metcalf was still executing the route while Wilson threw the ball a tenth of a second too early.

ANOTHER WASTED OPPORTUNITY

Strong Safety Jamal Adams bailed out Wilson and company by intercepting Rodgers in the endzone and giving the ball back to the offense at the 20-yard line. A one-yard run by Alex Collins and two incomplete passes by Wilson saw the Hawks punt the ball back to the  Packers.

UNDISCIPLINED PLAY

A tired  Seahawks defense made some uncharacteristic plays. Some understandable others not so much on the Packer’s next offensive drive. After a Rogers to seven-yard completion to  Randal  Cobb, the Seahawks were flagged for a neutral zone infraction. Two plays later Carlos Dunlap was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct. The infraction? Dunlap threw a Packers player show downfield. If not for the penalty it was going to be 3rd and five and the Seahawks 44-yard line. No one will ever know what would have happened on that third down. What is known is that the Packers scored seven players later on a A.J dillion three-yard run and take a commanding 10-0 lead. The drive took up 5:27 of clock time. To say the Seahawks defense was spent would you go it an understatement.

TEAM BRAKE DOWN

Wilson looked like he was on his way to one of his memorable Houdini acts but in the end, it was a lousy magician’s trick gone bad. Down 10-0 with 10:37 left in the game and ball in hand at his own 34-yard line, Wilson scrambled for 12 yards. A four-yard completion to Gerald Everett was followed by another Wilson run for 5 yards. On 3rd and 1, Homer picked up two yards for a new set of downs. On 1st and 10 from the Packer’s 43-yard line, Wilson hurled the ball in the back of the endzone for  Tyler Locker.  When Wilson threw the ball  Packers safety Adrian  Amos had his back to  Wilson. When the ball arrived in  Amos turned and picked off the pass. The Packers sealed the game with a 10 play 80-yard drive that eat up 6:11 of clock time.

PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND

Two interceptions in any game is not a good look. There is no doubt Wilson was rusty being out for a month. Heck Rodgers was rusty and he was out just one week. What is not a good look is the Seahawk’s inability to execute on the offensive line. The change at the center position from Kyler Fuller to  Ethan Pocic was supposed to help stabilize the line.

 That has not happened. Duane Brown’s age is no doubt showing but the team is better with him in the game than when he is not. Jamarco Jones has to improve his play when he steps in for Brown. On Sunday Jones played 21 snaps.  The play calling needs to be more consistent.

On Sunday  Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron used the tight ends more which is great. The passes to the tight ends should accompany the play action and yes the deep ball. As bad as things look a win over the Cardinals next week would put the Seahawks in the hunt for a playoff spot.