The Seattle Seahawks’ Week 11 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams was set to be the game of the year in the NFL. Two unstoppable offenses, both with quarterbacks playing at an MVP level, were set to duke it out in what could have easily turned into a shootout.
Instead, both offenses fell flat. The Seahawks lost the game by a score of 21-19, largely due to an abysmal performance from Sam Darnold. After an electric start to the season, the quarterback threw four costly interceptions in the most important game of the year so far.
If he had shown even a glimpse of the precision that made him so special earlier in the season, Seattle likely would have won this game. But the $100 million man was helpless against the Rams’ defense on Sunday.
As alarming as the performance was, the Seahawks can’t let it send them into panic mode. There’s only one way to move forward, and that’s by leaning on the explosiveness that has made their offense so dangerous this year.
Sam Darnold’s Week 11 performance can’t deter Seahawks from staying the course
Coming into this game, Darnold was having the best season of his career. He was combining explosiveness with efficiency in a way that few NFL quarterbacks are capable of. The former Vikings QB had logged at least one pass of 30 or more yards in every game of the season, consistently dropping deep passes in exactly the right spot.
His connection with star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the engine of the offense, setting the wideout on a record-breaking pace.
That all came to a screeching halt against the Rams. Darnold posted his lowest marks of the season in yards per attempt and passer rating as the offense failed to eclipse 20 points for the first time since Week 1.
His four turnovers were the primary reason for the loss, consistently giving Los Angeles excellent field position. The Seahawks’ defense was able to stifle Matthew Stafford and the Rams, but Darnold’s offense couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
Still, the Seahawks can’t afford to switch things up now. Their aggressive shots down the field have been crucial to their success so far. One down game can’t cause them to become conservative going forward.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has unlocked Darnold in a way that not even Kevin O’Connell could in Minnesota. He has his quarterback consistently beating defenses over the top, giving the offense a chance to score on every play. If Seattle abandons that strength now, the offense will have nothing else to lean on.