Seahawks offense puts up big plays in 22-14 win over Cowboys

The Seattle Seahawks (2-0) had some big plays on offense, defense, and special teams on their way to a 22-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys (0-2). Early-round draft picks Zach Charbonnet, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Derick Hall all had big in-game moments, but don’t forget about the undrafted rookies like Jake Bobo, John Hall, Levi Bell, SaRodorick Thompson, and Tyjon Lindsey.

Geno Smith and most of the Seahawks first-team offense got a couple of a series, while many starters on defense like Uchenna Nwosu, Jarran Reed, and Dre’Mont Jones saw their first (and potentially only) preseason action. Smith and Drew Lock both went 5/6, but Lock had over 100 yards passing and some big-time throws while playing along side the first-team offensive line. The defense didn’t exactly impress against the run for much of the night, but they did get after quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Will Grier frequently, and the likes of Tre Brown and Tyreke Smith had some clutch plays to secure the victory.

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1st Half

Geno Smith got the start, along with most of the first-team offense except for DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker. Seattle got a first down on a 3rd and short sneak by Smith, but would punt just a few plays later after Smith’s pass to Dareke Young couldn’t be hauled in. Several of Seattle’s defensive starters made their preseason debuts, including Dre’Mont Jones, Jarran Reed, and Uchenna Nwosu. Jarran was able to stop a potential Cowboys scoring drive with a 3rd down sack of Cooper Rush, turning a long field goal into a punt.

Backed up at their own 4, Geno returned to the game for a second possession and found rookie sensation Jake Bobo on a slant-and-go route for 28 yards. Rookie running back Zach Charbonnet then dashed for a 29-yard gain to put Seattle inside Dallas’ 40. Geno was sacked by Sam Williams on 3rd and 6, but that wasn’t an issue for Jason Myers, who drilled one from 57.

The Cowboys responded with a long drive. I mean a loooooooong drive. I’m talking 17 plays, 80 yards, and nearly 8 minutes off the clock thanks to four 3rd/4th down conversions. Running back Rico Dowdle put Dallas on the board on a blown coverage by the Seahawks defense, who didn’t account for him out in the flat and Rush hit him for six.

Drew Lock stepped in for Geno Smith but with the first-team offensive line still out there. Lock hit Ohio State rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a beautiful play-action pass for 48 yards down to the 1-yard line. DeeJay Dallas walked in on the next play to give Seattle the lead, but that drive was made by JSN (and also a taunting penalty on the Cowboys earlier in the drive after a 3rd down stop, but that’s neither here nor there).

Seattle extended its lead on a 6-play, 80-yard drive that’s all Drew Lock. He found Noah Fant on a 21-yard catch-and-run, then Cody Thompson for 32 yards off of play-action, and Tyler Mabry for 11 yards to the 1-yard line. SaRodorick Thompson scored off a good block by Levi Bell, edge rusher turned fullback.

2nd Half

The Cowboys got the ball to start the 2nd half and pretty easily marched down the field. Rookie running back Deuce Vaughn’s first touch of the game was a 14-yard touchdown. Missed tackles by Jerrick Reed II and Coby Bryant won’t make Clint Hurtt and his staff happy.

Holton Ahlers took over for Lock, who was limping after getting hit low on a roughing the passer call on the eventual Thompson touchdown drive. At this point it was nothing but backups for the rest of the night, which resulted in a marked decrease in game quality. A good punt return by Tyjon Lindsey went to waste when Ahlers was stuffed on a QB sneak.

With a chance to take the lead in the 4th quarter, quarterback Will Grier threw across his body towards the end zone, which was a bad idea duly punished by Tre Brown. The third-year corner out of Oklahoma made the interception at the goal line and returned it for about 20 yards. A 29-yard run by SaRodorick Thompson helped Seattle capitalize off the turnover with a Jason Myers field goal.

Seattle extended the lead on a blocked punt by UDFA rookie John Hall, who got to Bryan Anger’s punt and sent it into the end zone. Jake Bobo couldn’t recover it, and the Cowboys ended up gathering the ball out of the end zone.

Jason Myers’ field goal miss with 2:32 left gave the Cowboys a chance to tie the game and deny both teams the win. It took only two plays (with a penalty included) to get into Seahawks territory, but Will Grier took a 20-yard sack on 4th and 4. Tyreke Smith and Jordan Ferguson combined to bring Grier down for the W.

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Scoring Summary and Highlights

1st Quarter: Jason Myers 57-yard field goal - DAL 0, SEA 3

2nd Quarter: Rico Dowdle 6-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rush - DAL 7, SEA 3

2nd Quarter: DeeJay Dallas 1-yard touchdown run - DAL 7, SEA 10

2nd Quarter: SaRodrick Thompson Jr 1-yard touchdown run - DAL 7, SEA 17

3rd Quarter: Deuce Vaughn 14-yard touchdown run - DAL 14, SEA 17

4th Quarter: Jason Myers 36-yard field goal - DAL 14, SEA 20

4th Quarter: Blocked punt by John Hall for a safety - DAL 14, SEA 22

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Seahawks Injury Report

QB Drew Lock was limping after a roughing the passer penalty in the 2nd quarter. He went into the blue medical tent and didn’t return to the game.

TE Tyler Mabry left the game in the 3rd quarter with an undisclosed injury.

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Box Score

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Next Week’s Opponent

The Seahawks go on the road on Saturday, August 26 to wrap up the preseason against the Green Bay Packers. Kickoff time is 1 PM ET/10 AM PT on KING-5 (NBC).