3 takeaways from alarming Seattle Seahawks Week 5 loss

Too many missed chances

Football is a game of inches and the team that executes better, typically wins regardless of talent. The Seahawks had so many opportunities in Week 5 against the Rams. As advertised, the game was a slugfest. Two physical teams going at it in an early October game with a lot on the line. What has made the Seahawks so good at winning one-score games is their unique ability to overcome the odds and execute at an elite level. Unfortunately, that was not the case this past Thursday.

The Seahawks opening drive got put to a halt when they punted on 4th and 3 just past midfield. Watching the game, I’m sure many 12s were thinking the same thing I was on that 4th and 3 – go for it! Well, we all really should have known better as the Seahawks ended up punting it away.

But, the Seahawks did prove themselves right for not going for it on 4th and 3 when they ran it to Aaron Donald’s side on 4th and 2 in LA territory. Anytime is it 4th down and Russell Wilson is your quarterback, you put the ball in his hands. QB sneak, RPO, play-action or just a basic passing play, trust that Wilson is good enough to get the job done.

Despite the poor play calling on 4th down, the Seahawks were still in good shape nearing the end of the first half. Up 7-3, Seattle had the ball with just over a minute left. This was the golden opportunity to double dip as they got the ball to start the second half. The drive was kicked off with a beautiful wheel route to DeeJay Dallas on a well-designed play.

Then, the frustration kicked in. With just seconds remaining, Wilson sprinkled some of the Action Green magic maneuvering through the pocket and finding Tyler Lockett in the back of the end zone. Only for it to be called back by a ticky-tack holding call. This forced Seattle to settle for a field goal and to make matters worse, they missed.

That was a huge momentum shifter. In the second half, Matthew Stafford hit a 68-yard bomb to DeSean Jackson on a third down. It was more of a chuck than a designed play and poor coverage by Jamal Adams allowed Jackson to complete the catch and follow it up with 30 more yards on the ground. The Rams score and go up 9-7.

On the following Seahawks drive, Wilson has Lockett on a double move — which was a gorgeous route — and overthrows him by about two yards. On the same play, Wilson ends up hurting his finger and misses the remainder of the game. That truthfully summarizes the frustrating Week 5 loss.