Seahawks turn in giant turdburger of a performance, drop season opener 30-13 to Rams

The Seattle Seahawks (0-1) are in trouble. It’s just one game, but that was as bad a sign about the season to come as you could get for Week 1.

It was a 2nd half collapse of epic proportions on both sides of the ball, as the Seahawks turned a 13-7 halftime lead against the Los Angeles Rams (1-0) to a 27-13 loss. The heavily hyped offense not only lost both Charles Cross and Abe Lucas to injuries, but even when healthy were just not in sync and generally conservative. Matthew Stafford threw for over 300 yards even without Cooper Kupp, including 119 yards apiece for rookie Puka Nacua and third-year receiver Tutu Atwell.

How bad was the 2nd half on both sides of the ball? At one point the Rams outgained the Seahawks 250-3 (Seattle had 12 yards after one garbage time run). That is not a typo. It was a disgusting showing with key injuries on both sides of the ball. Yes, it’s the Rams, but that looked like a bad team that we were supposed to see for much of 2022.

Geno Smith was just 16/26 for 112 yards and a touchdown, and he wasn’t helped by the offensive line being reduced to Stone Forsythe and Jake Curhan at tackle. Kenneth Walker had 64 yards on 12 carries but Seattle barely possessed the ball and he didn’t have a lot of opportunities to make any plays.

DK Metcalf had the Seahawks’ only touchdown.

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1st Quarter

The Seahawks began the season with the ball on offense. Geno Smith threw a couple of completions to Tyler Lockett, including on 3rd down to move the chains. The next 3rd down was a big gain to the Rams 25 by DK Metcalf on a scramble drill by Smith. Yet again Seattle converted on 3rd down, albeit via defensive pass interference penalty on Cobie Durant. The next 3rd down was a 3rd and 16 and Smith’s roll and throw to Lockett in the end zone was knocked away. Jason Myers booted a 36-yarder through the uprights.

The first defensive play for the Seahawks was a run stuff by Bobby Wagner on Cam Akers for no gain. From there it was largely positive plays for the Rams, who were in Seahawks territory in no time. A 3rd and 4 conversion with Kyren Williams put the Rams in field goal range. Another 3rd down conversion to Van Jefferson put the Rams at Seattle’s 25. LA made it 4-for-4 on 3rd down with an open Higbee to set up 1st and goal. Even with 1st and goal from the 17 after a penalty, the Rams still scored with a one-yard touchdown for Kyren Williams. Rookie Puka Nacua made that possible with a 16-yard gain on 2nd and goal, with a missed pick by Coby Bryant and a bad tackle by Tre Brown.

2nd Quarter

The Seahawks offense responded with an effective mix of positive runs from Ken Walker and short passes from Geno Smith. Rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a shallow crosser to the 11. Two plays later, to cap off a 12-play, 75-yard drive, Geno found a wide open DK Metcalf after Metcalf smoked Derion Kendrick on a blitz.

A face mask penalty and false start on left tackle Alaric Jackson torpedoed the Rams’ second drive. Sean McVay essentially gave up on 1st and 30 and we saw our first punt. A nice return by DeeJay Dallas set the Seahawks up at midfield. Kenneth Walker set up the Seahawks in field goal range, but that’s as far as they would go. Jason Myers booted one through from 42 to extend the lead.

It took only three plays for the Rams to set to the Seahawks 40, with Stafford finding Nacua and Brycen Hopkins for consecutive first downs. However, the drive stalled and the Rams went for a 57-yard field goal attempt with Brett Maher. His first kick as a Ram was blocked by Jarran Reed and returned by Mike Jackson to the Rams 43.

It would all be for naught. Seattle got into field goal range but Jason Myers missed from 39 after hitting the upright. Luckily the Rams missed from 56 to head into the locker room, giving us a hat trick of missed field goals.

3rd Quarter

The Rams could’ve at least tied the game if not for a horrible drop by Van Jefferson, who was left alone and only had Diggs to beat in the open field. Seattle wasn’t so lucky when Tutu Atwell got behind the defense for a 44-yard gain to set up 1st and goal at the 8-yard line. Kyren Williams scored two plays later for his second of the afternoon.

Seattle went three-and-out and lost both tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas to injury. Not ideal! Again the Rams were able to march down the field easily, primarily off a big catch-and-run by TE Tyler Higbee, who beat new signing Julian Love. Dre’Mont Jones hurried Stafford into an incomplete pass on 3rd down, forcing a rare 3rd down stop and a Maher field goal to extend the Rams’ lead. Another punt by the Seahawks was compounded by a concussion check for Tyler Lockett.

4th Quarter

Stafford carved up the Seahawks secondary some more and was seldom pressured. Tutu Atwell went for over 100 yards receiving on the day. Just when it looked like the Seahawks forced another field goal attempt, Tre Brown was flagged for illegal use of hands to the face. Julian Love made a clutch pass break-up on 3rd and goal at the 1, but Cam Akers walked in on 4th and goal on the toss.

The offense stalled some more, the defense kept giving up big plays to Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua. Stafford nearly got Nacua for a touchdown over Riq Woolen, but he overthrew him and the Rams settled for a 54-yard field goal try from Brett Maher. To wrap things up, Maher got one more field goal to close out the scoring.

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Scoring Summary

1st Quarter: Jason Myers 36-yard field goal - LAR 0, SEA 3

1st Quarter: Kyren Williams 1-yard touchdown run - LAR 7, SEA 3

2nd Quarter: DK Metcalf 10-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith - LAR 7, SEA 10

2nd Quarter: Jason Myers 42-yard field goal - LAR 7, SEA 13

3rd Quarter: Kyren Williams 7-yard touchdown run - LAR 14, SEA 13

3rd Quarter: Brett Maher 38-yard field goal - LAR 17, SEA 13

4th Quarter: Cam Akers 1-yard run - LAR 24, SEA 13

4th Quarter: Brett Maher 54-yard field goal - LAR 27, SEA 13

4th Quarter: Brett Maher 45-yard field goal - LAR 30, SEA 13

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Seahawks Injury Report

RT Abe Lucas left the game at halftime with a knee injury.

LT Charles Cross suffered a toe injury in the 3rd quarter and was carted off.

WR Tyler Lockett was checked for a concussion in the 3rd quarter. He returned to the game.

OLB Uchenna Nwosu had his knee looked at in the 4th quarter.

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Box Score

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Next Week’s Opponent

The Seahawks hit the road to take on the Detroit Lions (1-0) at Ford Field on Sunday, September 17 at 10 AM PT on FOX.