Notes from the Nest: Seahawks survive LA’s JV squad in Week 13

Geno Smith and the dudes stepped up

The reason why the NFC West race has reopened is not just because of the Jimmy G injury, but because of what Geno Smith and this Seattle Seahawks offense is doing. With a disappointing defense the past month, a young offensive line, and literally all the running backs getting hurt, the Seahawks still put 27 points on the board to get the season-saving win.

All season, Geno Smith has been one of the best stories in football, but many thought he was a product of a good environment. That may be true, this draft and the development of Shane Waldron as an OC has put Smith in a position to be very successful. On Sunday, when nothing was going right and an upset appeared to be brewing, the dudes stepped up.

Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett all showed up and played their best game of the year, in a game where Seattle needed them most. Geno threw 28/39 for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns. This included beautiful 40-yard deep balls that brought back memories of a prime Russell Wilson. This included an incredible final 2+ minute game-winning drive, that required pinpoint accurate throws under immense pressure. To see Geno complete a drive like this is one of the final barriers he needed to hurdle, and he was masterful, and he also had help.

Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf showed that the Seahawks have two #1 receivers, that showed out against a strong Rams secondary. Tyler Lockett caught 9 passes for 128 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown score on the first drive of the game. Lockett continues to be as solid as ever and may have hit a new gear with Geno as his quarterback. DK, who got paid to be a #1 wideout this year, caught all 8 of the balls thrown to him for 127 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

In order to win in December and January, the Seahawks will need their stars to step up. These core three right now are playing like stars, and if they keep playing the way they did on Sunday, Seattle can make some noise.