Seahawks-Colts final score: Seahawks obliterate Colts 46-18, but lose Chris Carson

The Seattle Seahawks (2-2) struggled both offensively and defensively in the 1st half, but overpowered the Indianapolis Colts (1-3) in the 2nd half, scoring the game’s final 28 points for a 46-18 rout. Russell Wilson (21-of-26, 295 yards, 2 pass TDs, 2 rush TD, 2 INTs) was the star of the game after his own early struggles, while the defense was responsible for a pair of return touchdowns. Unfortunately, the presumed season-ending injury to Chris Carson is yet another hit to a perpetually banged up Seahawks backfield.

1st Quarter

Seattle got on the scoreboard first, with Blair Walsh kicking a 44-yard field goal on the team’s opening drive. Wilson’s first pass was a great strike to Doug Baldwin, who got past Vontae Davis for a huge gain of 27 on 3rd and 8. That would be the only first down of the series.

The Colts answered with a 35-yard pass play from Jacoby Brissett to TE Brandon Williams, but a couple of false starts by third-string center Adam Redmond put Indy behind schedule. Chuck Pagano opted to punt from Seattle’s 36, and the Colts special teams was able to down it at the 1. It proved to be a wise decision, as Wilson took a sack in the end zone on 3rd down for a safety. The initial ruling was that Wilson got the ball out in time before his knee hit the ground, but replays showed otherwise, so it was indeed a sack for Nate Hairston.

After a three-and-out by Indy, the Seahawks offense went to work. It looked as if Wilson had pulled off a crazy flip to Luke Willson to avoid a sack, but the Colts again won a challenge, with Jabaal Sheard getting credit for the takedown. The drive would stall into the 2nd quarter.

2nd Quarter

On a 3rd and 4, Jacoby Brissett stared down his receiver, Justin Coleman undercut the route, and he took the pigskin to the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown, putting Seattle up 10-2.

Brissett responded impressively after the pick-6, converting a 3rd and 13 to T.Y. Hilton, as well as scrambling for a big gain to put his team in the red zone. He also benefited from some good fortune, as Earl Thomas dropped an interception, and a Seattle 3rd down stop was nullified by a Richard Sherman holding penalty. Robert Turbin fought his way in from a yard out, but the score remained 10-8 after Kam Chancellor broke up a two-point conversion.

Wilson threw an interception to Matthias Farley on Seattle’s next drive, and the Colts cashed in with a touchdown pass from Brissett to Donte Moncrief, who outmuscled Shaquill Griffin in the end zone. The Seahawks were getting dominated in time of possession and not moving the ball efficiently on offense, but with just 30 seconds to work with, Wilson hit up Paul Richardson for a huge gain to put Seattle in field goal range to end the half. Blair Walsh shanked a 37-yarder to the right, making the score 15-10 Colts at intermission.

3rd Quarter

The Seahawks recaptured the lead with a great (albeit penalty-filled on both sides) drive to begin the 2nd half. Russell Wilson capped off a 9-play, 84-yard drive with a 23-yard scamper for a touchdown on 3rd and 10. He was initially ruled down at the 1, but Pete Carroll successfully challenged and got the call overturned. Doug Baldwin caught the two-point conversion to put the Seahawks up 18-15.

A brutal Jimmy Graham drop on 3rd down led to an interception by rookie Malik Hooker, who returned the ball to Seattle’s 24. Seattle’s defense held firm and the ageless Adam Vinatieri tied the score at 18-18.

Graham redeemed himself with a 33-yard catch along the sidelines on Seattle’s ensuing drive. A couple of plays later, J.D. McKissic had his first carry of the night, and he took it 30 yards for a touchdown. Al Michaels thought this was Eddie Lacy, for some reason.

On literally the next offensive snap, Marcus Smith strip-sacked Jacoby Brissett, and Bobby Wagner scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the ‘Hawks a 32-18 advantage after 3.

4th quarter

The Seahawks defense continued to lock the Colts offense down, and the offense continued to click. Russell Wilson found a wide open Luke Willson from six yards out, extending Seattle’s lead to 39-18.

Seattle made it 46-18 by going for it on 4th down as they drained the clock, and McKissic made it two touchdowns with a great catch in the end zone. Eddie Lacy ended up leading the team in rushing with 52 yards, most of which came on this possession.

Seattle’s final possession was marred by a nasty leg injury suffered by rookie running back Chris Carson, who had an air cast around his leg and was carted off the field.

Indianapolis ran out the clock with a series of running plays, as the Seahawks came away with a blowout win. The Colts were outscored 36-3 in the final 30 minutes, and only managed two first downs during that span.

Seahawks injury report

Jeremy Lane injured his hip on Seattle’s first defensive series and did not return.

Cliff Avril hurt his neck as he chased down Jacoby Brissett in the opening quarter. He was downgraded to out during the 2nd quarter.

Frank Clark was inadvertently kicked in the knee by KJ Wright in the 2nd quarter, but he returned to the field later on.

Naz Jones was favoring his arm on a half-sack of Brissett. He appeared to be fine and resumed playing.

Rees Odhiambo was injured on the Malik Hooker interception but walked off under his own power and returned on the next series.

Chris Carson surely broke his leg and his season is over. An absolute heartbreaker.

Next game

Seattle travels to Los Angeles for a 1:05 PM PT kickoff against the Rams, who are 3-1 following a 35-30 road win over the Dallas Cowboys. First-place in the NFC West is at stake, and this figures to be one of the biggest games the Rams have played in the whole of this decade.