The Seahawks scored four of their six second-half drives to overcome a sloppy first half in which they scored on only one of their six first-half drives. The Seahawks offense was able to flip the script in the second half due to an efficient run game, situational football and dominant defense. Ken Walker finished the game with 105 rushing yards and one touchdown on 13 rushing attempts.
“The game wasn’t pretty early. There are a lot of things that we have to get cleaned up operation-wise, and taking care of the football and spotting them, you know, several points, I think you probably add it up to about 11 points, missed a field goal,” said Mike Macdonald. “
”And our guys didn’t flinch. We knew he was going to be really tough coming in here. You know, there’s gonna be times where, you know, we’re back against the wall, but our guys were awesome in the whole game and just fought to the very end, and we got a couple of breaks there in the second half that won our way, and we took advantage of it. ”
A GOOD FIRST DRIVE THEN DISASTER
After last week’s loss, the Seahawks looked like they had the right mindset when the offense opened the game with an 8-play 64-yard drive that ended with Sam Darnold’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Tory Horton. Things went downhill from there. The Seahawks’ next five drives ended with an interception, a missed field goal a punt, another interception, and yes, another punt.
“ I feel like we were driving the football really well, and there were just a couple, you, bad plays on my end, that I’m obviously going to clean up, watch the tape, and get better from, but I felt like there was, you know, a lot of optimism go into the second half, “ said Sam Macdonald.
DEFENSE SETS THE TONE
The Seahawks defense set the tone to start the second half when it forced the Steelers to punt on its first possession of the second half. The drive stop was critical because the Steelers had a 14-7 lead. On their next offensive possession, the Seahawks tied the game when Sam Darnold hit AJ Barner with a seven-yard TD pass.
Derion Kendrick made his first significant impact as a Seahawks after being with the team for just two weeks when he leaped between two Pittsburgh receivers in the back of the endzone with a touchdown-saving interception. A 54-yard field goal by Jason Myers gave the Seahawks the lead for good, and then the game turned on a unique special teams play.
SPECIAL TEAMS TOUCHDOWN
Myers’ kickoff landed on the ten-yard line, which is considered the Landing Zone by this year’s kickoff rules. Anytime the ball hits the landing zone the receiving team is required to down it if it stays in the field of play. After bouncing on the ten-yard line, the ball bounced into the endzone and was recovered by George Haloni for a touchdown, which extended the Seahawks’ lead to 24-10.
“ We go over situations every week in our special teams meeting. I knew if I could get small cradle of the ball before I went out of the endzone, it would be a touchdown,” Holani said after the game
GAME CLINCHING RUN
The Steelers answered the Seahawks ‘ head-turning score with a Chris Boswell 45-yard field goal that narrowed the Seahawks’ lead to 27-17 with 7:09. Holding on to a seven-point lead, the Seahawks’ run game iced the game. On third and 19, Walker followed the gaping hole created by Gray Zabel and Charles Cross for a 19-yard touchdown.
“The line opened the hole up to the left side. I barely had to make anybody miss, you know, they made my job easier, and we scored,’ Said Walker after the game. ” I believe you got two good backs, you know, Zach’s a great back, and I feel like I’m a good back as well. So, that’s expected and comes with it”
BIG TAKE
A big bounce bag game for the Seahawks in the way they overcame adversity. Without Devon Witherspoon, the back end of the defense had to band together. Josh Jobe stepped in and showed that while he is no Witherspoon, he is a legitimate NFL cornerback who can guard anyone. The Seahawks’ defensive interior was the key to the Seahawks’ win. The trio of Bryan Murphy (1.5), Leonard Williams (0.5), and Jarran Reed combined for three sacks, and the defense as a whole had eight quarterback hits on Rodgers.
Add the two interceptions by Coby Bryant and Derion Kendrick, it is safe to say the Seahawks defense is on its way to becoming one of the best in the league. Klint Kubiak stayed with the run game, which opened up the passing game.
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