Tag: Geno Smith

First half recap: Seahawks trail Packers 20-3

First half recap: Seahawks trail Packers 20-3

The Seattle Seahawks are in a bit of a hole against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Once again, the Seahawks are back to their usual ways of starting painfully slow on both sides of the ball, particularly on offense, and trail after two quarters.

What makes this trend more frustrating is the fact it continues to happen against playoff caliber teams, which does not exactly bode well for the Seahawks moving forward. Especially when you consider it is only…. well, you know, playoff teams…. that make the playoffs.

The Packers started out hot. They won the coin toss and made the rare move to take the ball first. The aggressive move paid off as Green Bay marched down the field in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead behind the legs of running back Josh Jacobs. After a four-play drive and punt by the Seahawks offense, the Packers found the end zone once more eight plays and 80 yards later.

Seattle got a little momentum going, engineering a seven-play, 50-yard drive to get on the board with a field goal. Green Bay scored a field goal of their own on their next possession, but the Seahawks managed to stop hold them out of the end zone this time.

A promising scoring drive for Seattle ended in a turnover, as Geno Smith’s pass was intercepted in the end zone, giving the Pack another shot to get points before halftime. Green Bay of course did, scoring another field goal to make it a three-score game.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half, and some serious adjustments are necessary. Hopefully, head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb can come up with some answers. Otherwise, Seattle is going to find themselves out of the playoff picture entirely by the end of the night.

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game!

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Packers Pro Bowl CB ruled OUT for Seahawks game

Packers Pro Bowl CB ruled OUT for Seahawks game

The Seattle Seahawks will face a difficult task against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. If there’s a potential area for Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith to exploit, it’s a lackluster Packers pass defense that ranks 22nd in air yards allowed per game (222.2). That weakness may be magnified by the latest injury news delivered by Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur.

Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander has been ruled OUT of Sunday’s contest with a knee injury. Alexander had been a full participant at Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practice sessions. In the end, LaFleur deemed he’s not ready to return.

Alexander has appeared in just seven contests for the Packers this season while battling recurring injuries. Yet the boundary cover-man still ranks second on the defense in pass breakups with seven. Alexander has also added 16 tackles and two interceptions to his defensive totals this year, including a pick-six return touchdown. The inexperienced trio of Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Eric Stokes will presumably continue playing heavy snaps in his absence.

Smith has been red-hot at QB for the Seahawks lately. The former West Virginia standout has completed 91-of-124 passing attempts for a stellar completion percentage of 73.3% with three touchdowns, 914 yards, and two interceptions during Seattle’s ongoing four-game win streak.

Smith’s job versus the Packers just got easier with news of Alexander being out of the lineup.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads league in this advanced stat since Week 11

Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads league in this advanced stat since Week 11

The Seattle Seahawks are among the hottest teams in all of professional football. Their ongoing four-game win streak is the third-largest active streak in the league, trailing just the Philadelphia Eagles (nine) and Minnesota Vikings (six). A big reason why has been the play of starting quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith has been outstanding over the previous four contests. The former West Virginia standout has completed 91-of-124 passing attempts for a stellar completion percentage of 73.3%. Smith has thrown three touchdowns, two interceptions, and 914 yards. He added a rushing score to his offensive totals via the walk-off win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 that started this recent run of form for Seattle.

Unsurprisingly, Smith’s advanced metrics have been equally as outstanding as the raw numbers indicate. Since Week 11, the start of Seattle’s ongoing win streak, Smith ranks second among all qualifying quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage (ADJ%) at 83.2%, according to data tracked by Pro Football Focus. Only Sam Darnold ranks higher (83.8%).

If you’re unfamiliar, ADJ% tracks the percentage of aimed passes that are thrown on target combining completions with drops / aimed passes). Typically, when a quarterback is playing well, their ADJ% rises because their actual completion percentage is being lowered by drops and missed opportunities. Smith has been elite and accurate for the Seahawks since Week 11 onward and his ADJ% proves it.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on offense in Week 14

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on offense in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks strung together a complete performance in Sunday’s 30-18 Week 14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The offense produced more than 400 yards of offense and completed nearly 50 percent of their third-down attempts. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were Seattle’s three highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 84.1

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to be Seattle’s most effective wide receiver this season. JSN caught a first-quarter touchdown on the next play after linebacker Ernest Jones IV intercepted Kyler Murray. All in all, Smith-Njigba totaled a team-high 82 receiving yards and a score via five receptions. He averaged an explosive 16.4 yards per catch.

Zach Charbonnet | 80.4

Zach Charbonnet received an opportunity to lead the backfield after Kenneth Walker III was ruled out with a lower-leg injury. The former UCLA Bruin took full advantage of his opportunity, rushing for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns. Charbonnet was impactful in all phases, adding seven receptions for 59 receiving yards to his offensive totals.

Geno Smith | 79.2

Geno Smith was the architect of Seattle’s stellar offensive performance. The veteran quarterback was efficient, completing 24-of-30 passing attempts for 233 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers. Smith pulled the strings for a Ryan Grubb-coached offense that was firing on all cylinders.

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First half recap: Seahawks lead Cardinals 24-10

First half recap: Seahawks lead Cardinals 24-10

The Seattle Seahawks need a victory to maintain their perch atop the NFC West, and so far they are playing like they want to win the division today. Seattle has come out firing against the Arizona Cardinals, powered by their stifling defense and efficient offense.

After surrendering an opening drive touchdown, head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense clamped down. Seattle snagged interceptions from quarterback Kyler Murray on back-to-back possessions. To the relief of every 12th Man, Woman and Child out there, the Seahawks took full advantage of both turnovers. Geno Smith found JSN for a 19 yard touchdown strike, and Zach Charbonnet scored on a creative goal line play design.

Speaking of Charbonnet, he has been on a tear this first half. The second year back, starting in relief of the injured Kenneth Walker III, is reminding everyone why Seattle spent a second round pick on him in last year’s draft. So far on the day, Charbonnet has 87 rushing yards, including a 51-yard dash for his second touchdown of the game.

Seattle had six possessions in the first half and scored points on four of them to give them the 14-point lead. The Seahawks will get the ball back to start the second half.

First half stats:

  • Geno Smith 15-of-18 for 151 yards, one touchdown
  • Total Yards: Seahawks 272, Cardinals 156
    • Rushing: Seahawks 121, Cardinals 47
    • Passing: Seahawks 151, Cardinals 109
  • Total Plays: Seahawks 32, Cardinals 28
  • First Downs: Seahawks 12, Cardinals 8
  • Time of Possession – Seahawks 16:40, Cardinals 13:20

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter today for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game.

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Cardinals in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 game. It’s a potentially decisive NFC West rematch after the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 16-6 two weeks ago. Sunday’s outcome will have a drastic impact on the standings and postseason odds. Despite picking up the win, Seattle’s offense struggled against Arizona  in Week 12. We’ve compiled three bold predictions for the offense in Week 14.

Seahawks score more than one offensive TD

In the Week 12 victory over the Cardinals, the Seahawks offense took a 7-3 lead in the second quarter via a three-yard passing score from Geno Smith to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That would be Seattle’s lone offensive score of the afternoon. Coby Bryant returned an interception for a 69-yard pick-six for Mike Macdonald’s second and final touchdown. Look for the Seahawks to enjoy more offensive success this time around.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the WR room again

The Seahawks have won three consecutive games and Jaxon Smith-Njigba has led the offense in receptions and receiving yards in all of them. Superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury. With Metcalf’s status for Sunday legitimately hanging in the balance, expect JSN to continue operating as Smith’s go-to target.

Zach Charbonnet thrives

Running back Kenneth Walker III also missed Thursday’s practice with ankle and calf designations. Change-of-pace back Zach Charbonnet ranks second on the offense in touchdowns this season with six. Charbonnet took advantage of an expanded role versus the Cardinals if Walker is absent or even limited.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Jets on offense in Week 13

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Jets on offense in Week 13

The Seattle Seahawks outlasted the New York Jets on Sunday, winning their Week 13 contest 26-21. The offense struggled occasionally, but made enough game-changing plays to swing the result in their favor. The Seahawks gained just 16 first downs and 259 total yards. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were Seattle’s three highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Geno Smith | 75.9

Smith was more of a game manager, completing 20 of 31 passing attempts for 206 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He was sacked on just three occasions and did not commit a turnover. Smith’s lone touchdown pass went to tight end AJ Barner, helping eliminate a first-half 14-0 Jets lead.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 72.5

Sunday was arguably Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s most efficient performance of the entire season. JSN caught all four targets Smith threw his way, converting those opportunities to a team-high 74 receiving yards. The 22-year-old Smith-Njigba now ranks 11th in the entire league in that department with 829 yards, having already surpassed his rookie season output (628).

DK Metcalf | 71.0

DK Metcalf and Smith weren’t consistently on the same page, but his nine targets still resulted in four receptions for 66 receiving yards. Metcalf’s 30-yard reception was Seattle’s longest offensive gain of the afternoon. Seattle’s big-bodied dominant receiver was on the receiving end of double-team attention from Jeff Ulbrich’s secondary.

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Former New Yorkers-turned-Seahawks thrived in return to MetLife Stadium

Former New Yorkers-turned-Seahawks thrived in return to MetLife Stadium

Week 13 was a bit of a homecoming for four current Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Geno Smith, safety Julian Love, and defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Jonathan Hankins all had one thing in common: all were former New York Giants. Three were also former New York Jets.

To them, they are intimately familiar with MetLife Stadium, which has become a true home away from home for the Seahawks.

Of course, the biggest name on the list is Geno Smith, who was selected by the Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Smith spent three seasons in the Big Apple before infamously flaming out, causing him to wander the desert of being an NFL journeyman backup. Smith spent a season with the Giants (starting one game on the road), then one with the Chargers before becoming a Seahawk starting in 2019 to present.

Leonard Williams was taken No. 6 overall by the Jets during the 2015 NFL draft and spent the first five years of his career with Gang Green, before being traded to the Giants. The first time he actually had to move in his career was to Seattle, when the Seahawks traded for him last season.

Julian Love became a Giant after being taken in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft and spent his rookie contract with Big Blue. Prior to the 2023 season, the Seahawks signed him to a two-year deal, but quickly outplayed it and earned a well-deserved three-year extension this past offseason.

Jonathan Hankins has moved around the most on this list. He originally was a second rounder for the Giants in 2013 where he played for three years. He then played with the Colts, Raiders and Cowboys before ultimately becoming a Seahawk this year.

In the Week 13 homecoming game, these former New Yorkers thrived. Geno Smith had another solid performance, completing 64% of his passes for 206 yards and a touchdown, as he engineered his 11th game-winning drive since the start of the 2022 season – the most in the league during this span.

Leonard Williams was an absolute terror, and felt right at home back in his original stadium. Williams had two sacks, an interception and a touchdown. His effort on Sunday made history by becoming the first player since 1982 (when sacks became an official stat) to have multiple sacks, a pick-6, and a blocked kick in the same day. He also set the NFL record for longest pick-6 by a defensive lineman.

Julian Love had six total tackles, and forced a fumble from running back Breece Hall. The Seahawks had just been stopped on downs at the goal line in a disappointing sequence, but Love stole momentum right back to Seattle, as the fumble was recovered by rookie Tyrice Knight. The Seahawks were able to score a needed field goal after that turn of events. Love also created a stop on 2nd-and-10 with a tackle, keeping the Jets at 3rd-and-10, setting up Leonard Williams to get his second sack of the afternoon. This was on New York’s final drive of the game.

Jonathan Hankins may not have shown up on the score sheet, but he was still a member of a defense that pitched a shutout over three full quarters of football, fueling the comeback for Seattle. Had the defense shown any cracks after going down 21-7, the Seahawks would be sitting at 6-6 right now.

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Geno Smith had the perfect meme to celebrate the Seahawks’ win over the Jets

Smith didn’t need words to roast his former team, just a perfect meme.

Geno Smith only thrived as an NFL quarterback after he escaped the swirling vortex of garbage known as the New York Jets. Smith went 12-18 as a starter after being New York’s second round pick in 2013. It was a tenure better known for the former West Virginia star getting his jaw broken by a teammate than any on-field success.

Smith was forced to take the long route back to relevancy, only thriving once he arrived in Seattle as Russell Wilson’s backup, then successor for the Seahawks. He’s been an above average starter in the years since, going 25-22 in three-plus seasons atop the team’s depth chart.

The 25th win on his resume came in Week 13 over the Jets. Like seeing the obituary for one of his biggest haters in the newspaper, Smith knew he had to show up.

That’s Smith, embracing the “RIPBOZO” meme on Twitter to tell the world he had to attend his hater’s funeral just to ensure he was dead. Seattle’s win Sunday ensured a ninth-straight losing season for the Jets — a streak that began, coincidentally, in Smith’s final season with the franchise. New York is once more on its way to the cemetery of playoff aspirations. Smith was there, dressed in black, to make sure it was true.

Seahawks escape from New York with a 26-21 win over the Jets

Seahawks escape from New York with a 26-21 win over the Jets

The Seattle Seahawks just escaped from New York in one of the most bizarre, sloppy, and confusing games we’ve seen in quite some time. But as I’ve always said, style points don’t matter in the NFL… only wins do.

The Seahawks are now 7-0 when playing at MetLife Stadium, which has become a home away from home.

It certainly was not easy for Seattle to get this win. The Jets may have been only a three-win team, but they put up a fight, especially in the first half. Thanks to special teams miscues by the Hawks, New York capitalized for 21 points. But the Seahawks defense clamped down after intermission and suffocated the life out of the Jets. New York only had four possessions, and they went as follows:

  • Punt
  • Fumble
  • Punt
  • Turnover on downs

Part of the limited opportunities for the Jets in the second half was the fact the Seahawks controlled the clock to close out the game. They had drives of 12, 10 and 9 plays. Their first drive of the second half ended in frustrating disaster. After eight tries at the goal line, Geno Smith’s sack on 4th and goal turned the ball over on downs and Seattle came away with nothing. Thankfully, the Hawks forced a fumble which was recovered by rookie Tyrice Knight.

Smith then marched the team 39 yards to connect with another successful Jason Myers field goal to cut the lead 21-19.

However, the true miracles took place on the next possession. Trailing by two points, it was happy hour at the Last Chance Saloon for Seattle. It likely should have been lights out for the Seahawks, but the Jets continued to give Seattle more and more opportunities. New York was flagged four times on the Seahawks’ game winning drive – three of which were on 4th downs where Gang Green actually had Seattle stopped. The Jets were flagged 12 total times – 10 of which were in the second half alone.

The Hawks took advantage of those continued opportunities and capped it off with a go-ahead touchdown run by Zach Charbonnet. After Aaron Rodgers’ pass on 4th-and-15 fell incomplete, Seattle officially completed the comeback and Geno Smith earned his 11th game-winning drive since the start of 2022.

Aaron Rodgers was held in check, completing 21-of-39 passes for only 185 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Meanwhile his counterpart on the other sideline, Geno Smith, was his usual efficient self, completing 64% of his passes for 206 yards and a touchdown.

The Seahawks are now 7-5 and extended their lead in the NFC West thanks to Arizona losing to Minnesota 23-22 earlier in the afternoon. Seattle will once again take on the Cardinals next week, but will do so in the Valley of the Sun.

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