The hits just keep on coming for the Seattle Seahawks, who have now lost their third-straight game. Each week adds a new level of frustration. Against the Rams, the offense collapsed late and couldn’t do anything. Then the entire team imploded in all phases of the game in the blowout loss to the 49ers.
Now tonight, the Seahawks were outgunned by the Dallas Cowboys in a 41-35 defeat. Seattle’s improved defense could hardly slow down the Cowboys, and while the offense was clicking, they ran out of gas late (more on that, next).
Despite a 6-2 start and leading the NFC West, the Seahawks are cratering. They have lost four of their last five games, including two ugly blowouts.
Here are the top takeaways from Seattle’s 41-35 loss to the Cowboys.
4th down play calling dooms the Seahawks
For close to two months now, the heat under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s seat has slowly been simmering. After tonight, he very well could be coaching for his job in the coming weeks. Although Seattle’s offense looked as good as it has since literally Week 3 – the last time they scored 30+ points in a game this year – their failures in the most crucial moments decided the game.
Each of the last three possessions for the Seahawks resulted in a turnover on downs, in short yardage situations, all around midfield. In two of these situations, the play calling was truly baffling.
- Dallas ‘ 46-yard line, 4th-and-one, leading 35-30, a called run for Zach Charbonnet despite receivers getting open all day long
- Seattle’s 49-yard line, 4th-and-4, incomplete pass to JSN
- The 50-yard line, 4th-and-2, all three receivers are lined up on the short end of the field, and Micah Parsons runs in unblocked to force the incompletion, game over
There is far too much talent on this offense to be this inconsistent, or have such a lack of creativity in play design/calling.
The offense misses Kenneth Walker III
Everyone who knows football knows the emphasis Pete Carroll has on running the football. It is the core of his offensive philosophy. But without running back Kenneth Walker III, the Seahawks are just not able to make an impact on the ground.
This is the second straight week without Walker, meaning a second straight week of Zach Charbonnet in a leading role. He is a talented player, but clearly not the difference maker as a starter the way Walker is. Seattle had only 72 yards rushing in the game. Although they had two rushing touchdowns – one from Charbonnet, and another from Geno Smith – they were just not a threat in this phase of the game.
Defensive meltdown
Although the defense did record four sacks on Thursday night, this was a brutal showing for Clint Hurtt’s unit. Seattle simply had no answers whatsoever for the Cowboys offense, and did not force a single punt.
Dallas had 11 total possessions. Two possessions were end of half situations, including the kneel down at the end of the game. The Cowboys scored on eight of these possessions, only being stopped on a turnover on downs.
The Seahawks could not stop receiver CeeDee Lamb, who hauled in 12 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Dak Prescott looked every bit the part of an MVP candidate, completing 29-of-41 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
Should we be getting concerned about Jason Myers?
After a surprisingly shaky start to the season, Seattle’s Pro Bowl kicker rounded back into form. Jason Myers had seemingly returned to his usual, consistent self, giving the 12th Man ease of mind at one of the most important positions. His best game was against the Commanders, when he nailed five field goals, including the game winner.
But since then, it’s been rather shaky. Myers made his first three against the Rams, but missed the game-winner in a 17-16 loss. He then missed a 53-yard attempt at the end of the first half last week. Tonight, he missed from 42-yards out.
Ultimately, in a six-point loss, having Myers’ extra three points likely means its a 41-38 defeat instead of 41-35. And given the aforementioned struggles on fourth down late, the Seahawks probably wouldn’t have been able to get to a position for game-tying attempt anyways.
But this is now three straight weeks Myers has missed a field goal. He missed all of three last year. That number is now up to seven for 2023.
The playoff picture is falling out of focus
The Seattle Seahawks are 6-6 on the year. Currently, they hold the No. 7 seed for the NFC playoffs, the final Wild Card spot. However, the buffer between them and the other “on the bubble” teams has evaporated. Behind the Seahawks sit a trio of 5-6 teams: the Packers at No. 8, the Rams at No. 9, and the Saints at No. 10.
Green Bay travels to Kansas City this week, and New Orleans hosts Detroit. The Chiefs and Lions should win both games, but the real threat is with the Rams. Since Los Angeles has beaten Seattle twice this season, they hold the tie breaker for a Wild Card spot. The Rams host the Cleveland Browns, who very well could be starting Joe Flacco (yes, you read that right) on Sunday While Cleveland should put up a fair fight, it’s hard to envision them pulling off a road win against the red-hot Rams.
This time on Sunday, the Seahawks could easily find themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in, right before another game against San Francisco.
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