Seahawks offense a shiny spot in Week 3 loss to Falcons

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It may be bizarre to listen to after an unsightly residence loss towards one of many worst groups within the NFL, however there’s nonetheless a small little bit of hope to be discovered for the Seahawks in what’s shaping as much as be a tricky season. 

That glimmer of hope is because of the Seahawks offense, which gave the workforce an opportunity all the way in which to the ultimate minutes of Sunday’s 27-23 residence loss towards the Atlanta Falcons.

Quarterback Geno Smith put up yet one more strong efficiency, going 32-for-44 for 325 yards and two passing touchdowns, whereas hitting Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf a mixed 23 instances for 140 yards. 

In the dashing recreation, Seattle completed with a season-high 112 yards as Rashaad Penny ran for 66 on 14 carries. 

The Seahawks’ spotlight of the day on offense got here within the second quarter, when Metcalf made a spectacular catch ultimately zone to tie the sport at 17-17 with just below 4 minutes to go within the first half. 

Whether it’s the run recreation, the quarterback, the receivers, or the offensive line, there was loads to be comfortable about in Sunday’s recreation on the offensive facet of the ball. It was a welcome improvement for Seattle after final week’s poor displaying towards the 49ers, the place the Seahawks ran 47 offensive performs and managed simply 216 complete yards and 14 first downs.

Seattle ran 70 complete performs towards Atlanta, whereas tallying 420 offensive yards and 23 complete first downs. Despite the disappointing loss to the lowly Falcons at residence, it was by far Seattle’s greatest offensive recreation of the season. 

“I think we did a great job,” Lockett mentioned. “I think we took advantage of what they gave us, the run game was real dominant, and the pass game was pretty dominant. They played a lot of zone so it was great being able to run, find the open holes, and be able to keep the drives alive.” 

An enormous change that Seattle made to its offense was its elevated use of the tempo offense. Coming into Week Three, the Seahawks had run simply 10 no-huddle performs on the season. Against Atlanta, Seattle ran 25 no-huddle performs, with 12 of them coming within the first half. 

According to Smith, the emphasis on operating the no-huddle offense allowed the Seahawks to place strain on an Atlanta protection that got here into the sport ranked twenty seventh within the NFL in factors allowed and twenty second in complete yardage. 

“Playing fast, I think that helped us out a bunch,” Smith mentioned. “Guys were really in tune with the play calls and all the checks and stuff we made at the line of scrimmage. All the guys were locked in. When you have guys that we have who are extremely talented, but are also equally as smart, it allows for you to do that.”

Much of Smith’s success, together with the success of a Seahawks run recreation, needed to do with enhancements from the younger offensive line. 

Last week, Smith was hit 9 instances by the 49ers protection, together with a pair of sacks by San Francisco defensive star Nick Bosa. On Sunday, the offensive line stored Smith clear till the ultimate drive, when he was sacked twice earlier than throwing a desperation heave interception on fourth-and-18 to seal the sport for the Falcons. 

Before that drive, the road had allowed simply three quarterback hits on the day. 

“I feel like the line played a tremendous game,” Smith mentioned. “I think they played outstanding all game long. At one point I kept telling myself, we have to hit you up in the pocket. I was just standing back there because I have so much time and great protection. I think they did a great job again, and they’re going to continue to get better, but I really was impressed with what they did today.”

Coming into the season, there have been loads of questions surrounding Smith’s talents as he took over the beginning quarterback job from Russell Wilson after eight seasons as a backup. But thus far, Smith has been the least of Seattle’s issues. 

Through three weeks, Smith leads certified passers with a 77.4% completion price, and ranks seventh within the NFL with a passer ranking of 100.8. It is obvious that Smith has the belief of head coach Pete Carroll since beating out Drew Lock for the beginning job within the preseason. 

“I thought he played really, really well,” Carroll mentioned. “… He can do things right. He understands what’s going on. He is in command of it. He has the arm to throw all of the throws that we’re asking him to do. He is really poised about it. That’s a heck of a football game today he threw. He is doing his part.”

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