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The Seattle Seahawks (7-8) put up a pretty limp showing on offense and lost 24-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs (12-3), who weren’t at their best offensively and some of that was due to a pretty inspired performance by the Seahawks defense.
On a frigid day in KC, Seattle didn’t manage a first down until the 2nd quarter, and while they finally got the rushing attack revived behind over 100 yards from Kenneth Walker III, the passing game was far too limited without Tyler Lockett. Geno Smith threw a back-breaking interception in the 4th quarter when the game was reasonably within reach. He struggled, and so did the offensive line, and it was miserable to watch.
The Seahawks have lost five of six but thanks to a surprise loss by the Detroit Lions to the Carolina Panthers, as well as an expected Washington Commanders loss against the San Francisco 49ers, they lost no ground in the NFC wild card hunt.
1st Quarter
The Chiefs started with the ball and threw it on three straight plays, but Patrick Mahomes’ last two passes were incomplete. A three-and-out by Kansas City’s mighty offense in the mighty cold! Seattle’s first play was an 18-yard run by Kenneth Walker III, which was wiped out by a hold on DK Metcalf. Already backed up near their own goal line, the drive stalled with no first downs.
It took only 9 plays for the Chiefs to go 63 yards and get the game’s opening touchdown. Patrick Mahomes gets the credit for the TD throw as the little toss was bobbled by Kadarius Toney, who still waltzed into the end zone. 7-0 Chiefs.
A big kick return by Godwin Igwebuike went to waste as the Seahawks got no first downs and turned it over on downs on a batted ball on 4th and 3. George Karlaftis swatted Geno Smith’s pass down before it could get to Laquon Treadwell. Luckily the Seahawks defense (!!!) came up big and forced a punt, with Tariq Woolen breaking up a deep shot to Justin Watson to deny KC a 2nd touchdown. The Seahawks got the ball back and rapidly went three-and-out.
2nd Quarter
Geno Smith got sacked on Seattle’s next possession and was slow to get up. He was holding his knee but thankfully got back to his feet and walked back to the sideline under his own power.
You can only keep Kansas City down for so long. Mahomes found Travis Kelce on an absolute dime to the Seattle 9 for 27 yards. Jerick McKinnon broke a Michael Jackson tackle and extended the lead on a quick catch-and-run. 14-0 Chiefs.
The Seahawks got a first down! Kenneth Walker III converted 3rd and inches. Happy Holidays! (Seattle punted)
A big screen pass play to rookie Isiah Pacheco gained 30+ yards into Seahawks field goal territory. That’s what the Chiefs ended up doing! Harrison Butker with the 48-yard make. 17-0 Chiefs.
Needing literally any offense before halftime, it looked like the Seahawks were going to punt again when Geno Smith got sacked. Joshua Williams was flagged for holding Marquise Goodwin and extended the series. A deep shot to DK Metcalf was caught spectacularly for a gain of 35 yards. A pass interference by Williams on Laquon Treadwell got Seattle into the red zone. A hands to the face penalty negated a 3rd down stop! All the flags! But no touchdown. 17-3 Chiefs.
3rd Quarter
Seattle wasted its opening drive by going three-and-out. Geno had room to run and ended up throwing an incomplete pass on 3rd down to Marquise Goodwin, who seemingly re-injured his wrist. The Chiefs went three-and-out thanks in part to a dropped pass by Justin Watson and airtight coverage by Jonathan Abram on Travis Kelce.
The Seahawks got the run game going with a couple of quality runs by Kenneth Walker III. Naturally, they ditched under center work and went shotgun for less successful running plays. On 4th and 4 in Kansas City territory, Geno threw short to Colby Parkinson on a pick play and it got stopped well short of the sticks. Penny Hart was flagged for OPI anyway. What a mess. Seattle’s defense again stepped up and forced a KC punt.
4th Quarter
Again the Seahawks went for it on 4th down, but Geno threw a bad pass on 4th and 8 that was short of the sticks and made Laquon Treadwell come back to the ball short of the marker. Once again, the defense forced a three-and-out on this vaunted KC offense.
A critical 3rd and 11 throw from Geno to DK converted a first down that the Seahawks badly needed. Kenneth Walker III barreled his way into the red zone, but the Seahawks also took a timeout and left them with one left in the final 8 minutes. Geno threw an interception to Juan Thornhill on a miscommunication between him and Marquise Goodwin.
Two huge plays to Travis Kelce had Jordyn Brooks badly beaten and Kansas City was suddenly in goal-to-go. On 3rd and goal, Mahomes outran Jordyn Brooks and stretched out to the pylon for the score. 24-3 Chiefs.
Hey! Geno Smith led a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a garbage time score to Noah Fant. 24-10 Chiefs.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter: Kadarius Toney 8-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes - SEA 0, KC 7
2nd Quarter: Jerick McKinnon 9-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes - SEA 0, KC 14
2nd Quarter: Harrison Butker 48-yard field goal - SEA 0, KC 17
2nd Quarter: Jason Myers 22-yard field goal - SEA 3, KC 17
4th Quarter: Patrick Mahomes 3-yard touchdown rush - SEA 3, KC 24
4th Quarter: Noah Fant 6-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith - SEA 10, KC 24
Connecting for the touchdown. @GenoSmith3 ➡️ @nrfant pic.twitter.com/2ChCRwxTfp
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 24, 2022
Seahawks Injury Report
S Joey Blount was ruled out in the 1st quarter with a knee injury.
RB Travis Homer was listed as questionable with an ankle injury in the 2nd quarter.
T Abraham Lucas didn’t play in the 2nd half with a thigh injury. He was replaced by Stone Forsythe.
WR Marquise Goodwin suffered a wrist injury in the 3rd quarter. He did return later in the game.
Next Week’s Opponent
The Seahawks will kick off 2023 with a home game against the New York Jets (7-8) on Sunday, January 1st at 1:05 PM PT on FOX.
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