Studs and duds from the Seahawks' Week 5 loss to the Giants

STUD - Geno Smith

In their Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants, the Seattle Seahawks were forced to rely heavily on quarterback Geno Smith, as the team’s offensive struggles left him shouldering the load. With the running game rendered ineffective, Smith did everything he could to keep the Seahawks in the game. He threw for 284 yards and one touchdown while adding an impressive 72 rushing yards on the ground. Despite his best efforts, Smith’s heroics weren’t enough, and the Seahawks ultimately came up short.

The absence of a reliable running game significantly impacted Smith’s ability to effectively utilize his wide receivers. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, who had been viewed as key contributors in the backfield, were unable to make an impact, putting additional pressure on Smith to carry the offense. With no real threat on the ground, the Giants' defense was able to focus on shutting down the passing attack, frequently dropping extra defenders into coverage and disrupting the timing between Smith and his targets.

As a result, Smith struggled to connect with his talented wideouts, including DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both of whom had been instrumental in previous weeks. Despite throwing for nearly 300 yards, the lack of explosive plays in the passing game was evident, as Smith was forced to take shorter, underneath throws for much of the contest.

Without the balance that the running game typically provides, the Seahawks offense looked one-dimensional, and the Giants capitalized on it by containing the passing game and forcing Smith to make plays with his legs.

Smith’s 72 rushing yards were a testament to his ability to extend plays, but they also underscored the lack of protection and the absence of a cohesive offensive game plan. While Smith’s individual performance was admirable, it was clear that the Seahawks’ offense couldn’t sustain drives or generate points without a reliable rushing attack.

Moving forward, the Seahawks will need to find ways to restore balance on offense. If the running game continues to falter, Smith will be left trying to carry the team on his own, which is a recipe for inconsistency and disappointment.