Seahawks-Colts final score: Seahawks lose 19-17 in 2018 preseason opener

The Seattle Seahawks began their 2018 preseason with a 19-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in front of a predictably enthusiastic crowd on a beautiful Thursday evening at CenturyLink Field. Seattle’s first-team offense looked sharp in limited action, while the first and second-string defense kept the Colts out of the end zone. This is obviously a devastating loss, as the Seahawks will not be able to finish 23-0 this year (4-0 preseason, 16-0 regular season, 3-0 postseason).

Both teams scored on their opening possession. Andrew Luck led a 12-play, 60-yard field goal drive in his much anticipated return to the field, and converted a 4th and 1 by finding an open Robert Turbin for 14 yards along the way. Russell Wilson answered with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in his first series, with Chris Carson featuring on a 4th and 1 conversion. Nick Vannett put Seattle on the board with a sliding catch as Wilson scrambled to his right, and Rashaad Penny did a good job in pass protection.

Luck got a second series. Rasheem Green sacked the Colts QB, but fellow rookie Tre Flowers extended Indy’s drive with a 3rd down pass interference. Akeem King had a nice pass break-up on TY Hilton to force another Adam Vinatieri field goal to cut the score to 7-6. Luck finished the day 6/9 for 64 yards.

Wilson wouldn’t get another series, finishing 4/5 for 43 yards, 1 TD, and 2 rushes for 14 yards. Austin Davis took over, and things were going well when he entered the game, including a nice hook-up with David Moore for a 28-yard gain, but a dreadful end-zone interception thrown right to Nate Hairston put an ugly end to that drive.

The Colts took a 9-7 lead into the locker room after they were fortunate to have a punt return fumble not called due to the refs ruling forward progress had stopped, and favorable field position was turned into three more points. Delano Hill was unlucky not to have a forced fumble on the stat sheet, but it did open the door for Barkevious Mingo to eventually blow past J’Marcus Webb and sack Jacoby Brissett.

Rookie quarterback Alex McGough took over for the entire 2nd half, while Phillip Walker eventually replaced Jacoby Brissett on the Colts side. The third and fourth-stringers were on display, and it looked like, well, a first preseason game. Indianapolis pulled ahead 12-10 on Mike Badgley’s short field goal, set up by a deep ball to Zach Pascal, who burned Mike Tyson for a 32-yard gain on an outside fade.

In the 4th quarter, Michael Dickson showed off his strong leg and unorthodox spin on the ball, as he boomed a 61-yard punt and forced a muffed punt, which unfortunately the Colts recovered and got a 15-yard “lowering the helmet” penalty on Akeem King. Phillip Walker cashed in with a short drive and a touchdown pass to former Washington Huskies WR Darrell Daniels to make it 19-10 Colts.

McGough had a rough stretch with the backup offensive line, getting repeatedly harassed and even sacked a couple of times. He was also inaccurate and content to just get rid of the ball quickly and to a running back.

Seattle made things interesting in the form of the Colts having literally an entire series of fumbles, and the last one somehow got pushed 35 yards back into Indy’s end zone, and Joey Ivie made the recovery for a touchdown. Former Seahawks OL Mark Glowinski played center and was responsible for that botched snap.

The Colts were able to run the clock out on the next drive, with running back Jordan Wilkins fighting through Delano Hill’s 3rd and 1 tackle attempt and picking up the game-clinching first-down.

Injury report

DL Quinton Jefferson suffered an injury to his lower left leg/foot area, and limped off under his own power.

RT Isaiah Battle similarly limped off the field in the 3rd quarter, favoring his left leg before heading to the injury tent. He did not return, and it was officially listed as a knee injury.

Rookie LT Jamarco Jones got rolled up on in the 4th quarter, and was carted off with an apparent leg injury. It looked pretty bad, but he was listed as questionable to return.

FS Tevon Mutcherson went down with injury in the 4th, and it also appeared to be a leg problem, as he limped off.

WR David Moore suffered a head injury after taking a helmet-to-helmet it after trying to make a catch deep downfield. Shamarko Thomas was ejected for that hit, and rightly so.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on Saturday, August 18th at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.