By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks learn and grow from 37-31 OT win over Lions

While a  Week One loss is hardly an adequate sample size to judge the character of a team the feeling around the Virginia Mason athletic center this week was that the Seahawks had something to prove against the Detroit Lions.

  The Seahawks were hit in the mouth in last week’s 30-13 loss to the  Los Angeles Rams. The Detroit Lions were on a high after their 21-20 win over the  Super Bowl  Champions Kansas City Chiefs in  Arrowhead. Captain Bobby Wagner challenged the team during practice this week.

MEETING  THE CHALLENGE

With some highs and lows, the Seahawks met the challenge with a stunning 37-31 win over the Lions, and along the way they might have discovered something about themselves.

GENO SMITH OF OLD

Against the Rams Geno Smith was hesitant, slow, and unclear in his decision-making. Against the Lions, he was the exact opposite.  Smith was poised, patient and in command of the Seahawk’s offense. His one transgression was taking a 17-yard sack on third and 18 in the fourth quarter with 2:11 left in the game.

  The decision by Smith looked catastrophic after the Lions tied the game with a 38-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Seahawks won the coin toss and  Smith atoned for his mistake by engineering the game-winning drive. In the nine-play 75-yard that ended with a six-yard pass to Tyler Lockett walk-off, Smith was 6-7  for 69  yards. Smith’s final numbers were 32 of 41 for 328  passing yards and two touchdowns for a QB rating of   116. He also had  20 yards rushing on three carries.

ANOTHER CLUTCH  PERFORMANCE BY LOCKETT

The enigma that is Tyler Lockett showed up against the Lions.  Some call him the most underrated receiver in the NFL while others say Lockett is simply the best clutch receiver in the game.

Lockett led the Seahawks with eight receptions on 10 targets for 59 yards. The 59 receiving yards were second to DK Metcalf’s 75 yards on six receptions. What makes Lockett the best clutch receiver in the game? His two touchdowns against Detroit. The first one was in the third quarter and gave the Seahawks a 24-21 lead over the Lions. His second? Well you know all about that one.

DEVON WITHERSPOON IS THE REAL DEAL

The Seahawks 2023 no. 5  draft pick’s  NFL  debut was always going to be trial by fire. Against the Lions Witherspoon grew with each test. Credit the Seahawks for taking their time to get Witherspoon on the field while he healing from Hamstring issues. The wait was well worth it. Witherspoon showed his tackling skills when we stopped a  Lions run for a one-yard gain.

 He showed his pass-defense abilities when he batted away 4th down pass intended for Lions tight end  Sam LaPorta.

Witherspoon showed his inexperience when he was flagged for pass interference in the second quarter when he tripped the Lion’s Marvin Jones and on the very next play was fooled on a Lion flea flicker that resulted in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Goof to Kalif Raymond. Witherspoon will no doubt learn from his mistakes. His physicality and ball-hawking skills showed why the Seahawks picked him at number five in the draft.

TRE BROWN STEPS UP

Tre Brown showed his versatility and value against the Lions. Brown started the game on the bench and was called into action to replace an injured Riq Woolen in the second quarter at right cornerback. Last week against the Rams Brown started at left cornerback.  With the Seahawks holding a three-point lead and the Rams driving  Brown sacked Goff for minus five yards. On the next play, Brown completed the deal with a 40-yard pick-six ending  Goff’s streak of  383 passes without an interception.

BIG TAKE

 The Seahawk’s offensive line showed its depth and talent. Tackles Jake Curhan and Stone Forsythe were more than adequate backups. They play with poise in both the run and pass game. Rookie Olu Oluwatimi stepped in for Evan Brown. The three backups allowed just one sack and that one fell on Smith.  The Seahawks were  5-11 on third down and finished with  393 yards of total offense. The defense generated pressure on Goff with Uchenna Nwosu forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jarran Reed. Defensive the Seahawks had two sacks, six quarterback hits, and a pick-six. That is a remarkable improvement from Week One.

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