How Seahawks have clear path to playoffs after Week 13 victory
By Boade Rowe
Coming into Week 13 Seattle was on an unfortunate slide, losing two straight and looking like a shell of their previously established identity. Combined over that two-game skid the Seahawks were outrun by the opposing team 444 yards to just 104 by Seattle. Knowing how imperative it is for the Seahawks to play fundamentally sound football this disparity had to be one of Seattle’s greatest focuses coming into the week.
Luckily for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks, the Rams come in on a downward spiral looking to get a win simply to change the current narrative of their season. The game wasn’t pretty by any means but division games rarely are. What matters is Seattle was able to walk away victorious thanks to Geno Smith’s first game-winning 4th quarter drive since 2014, now let’s break down the good, the bad and the ugly for the Seahawks.
Also, for the record, literally, Seattle is 7-5. Because the Commanders and Giants tied on Sunday, Seattle would be in the playoffs if the season ended today due to Washington being 7-5-1. But Seattle also has one more game to play the rest of the way than do the Commanders.
What went right for the Seahawks in Week 13
Geno Smith and the Seahawks passing attack
Another dominant and efficient game from Geno Smith and the entirety of the Seahawks’ offense. Seattle won despite Bobby Wagner having an out-of-body experience while on the field on Sunday, despite the offensive line looking somewhat lackluster at times during the game, and despite once again getting out-rushed by the opposing team 171-90. Despite all of those factors, Geno Smith played up to his nearly routine superstar standard.
On multiple occasions, Smith faced an intense pass rush from the Rams, and time after time Geno would stand in the pocket until the last moment and deliver a strike to his targets while under heavy pressure. Geno Smith is simply keeping the Seahawks in games thus far. On Sunday, he finished his day by completing 28 of his 39 passes for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns. If Geno can continue his elite-level play then the Seahawks not only have a chance to make the playoffs but a shot at making some real noise during the postseason.