Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on offense in Week 15

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on offense in Week 15

The Seattle Seahawks were dismissed by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, losing 30-13. Ryan Grubb’s offense gained just 208 total yards and were limited to 13 measly points. Nonetheless, these three Seahawks were their highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 77.3

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his ascension as Geno Smith’s go-to target in the passing game. JSN posted team-highs in receptions (10), receiving yards (83), and targets (12). Smith-Njigba did the majority of his work underneath the coverage, averaging just 8.3 yards per catch, though he was on the receiving end of Seattle’s longest completion of the evening, a 25-yard gain in the passing game.

Charles Cross | 76.3

The Packers dominated the interior of the Seahawks’ makeshift offensive line, but Mike Macdonald’s bookend tackles held their own. Franchise left tackle Charles Cross was credited with allowing three pressures and one sack, posting an overall grade of 81.1 in pass protection. That was his second-best grade of the season in protection.

Abe Lucas | 73.8

Right tackle Abraham Lucas was Seattle’s third-highest graded offensive player at 73.8. He occasionally struggled in pass protection, allowing five pressures and two sacks, but was also dealing with a lackluster situation at right guard. Lucas was also a net positive in the running game, earning a grade of 79.7 in that department.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads league in INTs thrown into end zone

Seahawks QB Geno Smith leads league in INTs thrown into end zone

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith suffered an injury in Sunday’s primetime 30-13 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. He did not return and was replaced by backup Sam Howell. Before Smith exited, he made an error in judgment that has him leading the league in a not-so-great stat.

Trailing 17-3 in the second quarter, the Seahawks had strung together a quality 11-play drive that gained 53 yards and reached Green Bay’s 12-yard line. Facing a 3rd-and-9 in the red zone, Smith backpedaled in the pocket as he was under pressure from a fierce pass rush. Smith heaved a desperation ball towards Noah Fant in the end zone. It was intercepted by Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine.

It was Smith’s fourth interception of the season on a throw into the end zone, per ESPN Research. That ties Smith for the league-lead in that ill-advised category with Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.

It marked a critical moment in the contest where the Seahawks could have pulled within one score of the Packers. Instead, possession went the other way. Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur’s offense would convert a field goal on the ensuing opportunity, extending their advantage to 20-3.

Smith has now thrown 14 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions this season. He’s been a starting-caliber quarterback for the Seahawks, but the untimely turnovers in the red zone are hurting Ryan Grubb’s offense. While awaiting an update on his health status, Smith needs to work on eliminating the backbreaking mistakes.

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Seahawks defense comes unglued vs. Packers in Week 15

Seahawks defense comes unglued vs. Packers in Week 15

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday’s primetime contest versus the Green Bay Packers on the back of several strong defensive performances. Mike Macdonald’s swarming unit was largely responsible for Seattle’s four-game win streak. Unfortunately, it was borderline unrecognizable in the 30-13 defeat to the Packers.

Throughout Seattle’s four-game triumph, Macdonald’s defense was allowing 15.5 points per contest. It’s worth acknowledging those showings occurred against three teams, the Arizona Cardinals (twice), San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets, currently slated to miss the postseason. In a real test versus a playoff-bound Packers offense, Macdonald’s defense shriveled up and failed to meet expectations.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 20-of-27 passing attempts for 227 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He encountered little resistance from a Seahawks secondary that was also whistled for multiple pass interference infractions. All in all, Seattle racked up 108 yards in penalties.

Packers running back Josh Jacobs also rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown via 26 carries. Macdonald’s defense did recover a Jacobs lost fumble, but Green Bay still out-gained Seattle 140-80 on the ground.

Seattle’s defense had been powering the Seahawks towards a potential NFC West division title. They forfeited control of the division for now, with the 8-6 Rams leaping into first place. Simply put, Macdonald’s defense got gut-punched by a quality Packers offense and failed to respond.

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Who is Jalen Sundell? UDFA C replaces Olu Oluwatimi vs. Packers

Who is Jalen Sundell? UDFA C replaces Olu Oluwatimi vs. Packers

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday Night Football’s showdown versus the Green Bay Packers with a pair of inexperienced offensive lineman in their lineup. Sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi was making his seventh consecutive start of the season. More notably, rookie right guard Sataoa Luamea was making his third straight start in place of the injured Anthony Bradford.

The injury bug created more inexperience issues for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to deal with. Oluwatimi exited the contest with a knee injury and did not return. He was replaced by third-string rookie undrafted blocker Jalen Sundell.

Sundell was undrafted out of North Dakota State this year. The multi-position lineman was arguably the most surprising roster cut-down day decision made by general manager John Schneider, who opted to keep him around. Following Connor Williams’ retirement, Sundell has climbed the depth chart by default.

Sundell played center at the East-West Shrine Bowl during the pre-draft process. North Dakota State has been an offensive line factory in recent years, sending prospects like Dillon Radunz, Cody Mauch, and Cordell Volson to the NFL. The Packers showed no remorse, immediately attacking Sundell in the passing game.

It’s worth acknowledging Sundell played a handful of quality snaps. He helped create a pathway as a lead blocker for Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that gave Seattle a fighting chance. Oluwatimi’s health will be worth monitoring.

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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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Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan to raise 12th Man Flag

Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan to raise 12th Man Flag

The most hallowed pregame tradition in the NFL is the raising of the 12th Man Flag in the south end zone at Lumen Field. Seattle sports legends, celebrities and hometown heroes have all shared in this distinct honor, but on Sunday night, the responsibility now falls to former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan.

From 2008-2017, Jon Ryan became a Seattle cult classic as one of the best punters in the NFL. However, there is one reason above all else why Ryan gets the honors tonight against the Packers: it was his trick touchdown pass in the 2014 NFC Championship that helped fuel the Seahawks’ unlikely comeback.

The Seahawks were trailing 16-0 late in the third quarter. The already slim hopes at clawing their way back into the game were fading quickly as Russell Wilson’s pass on third down fell incomplete. Seattle lined up for a field goal just to get on the board, when in fact it was Ryan who found rookie tackle Garry Gilliam for the touchdown.

Ryan’s touchdown fueled the unlikely comeback, as Seattle prevailed 28-22 in overtime to return to the Super Bowl. I know for a fact the 12th Man has not forgotten Ryan’s heroics.

The stars could be aligning a bit for the Seahawks. They are home against the Packers, in their first prime time Sunday night game in front of a crowd since 2019, and they have Jon Ryan lifting the 12th Man Flag on the 40th anniversary of No. 12 being retired.

Folks all over the Pacific Northwest better hear the roar of the 12’s tonight.

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What’s at stake for the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football?

What’s at stake for the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football?

The Seattle Seahawks have as big a game as they get in the regular season tonight on Sunday Night Football. Every game against the Green Bay Packers is a must-see event for the 12th Man, especially under the lights of prime time. But what we have here in Week 15 is not your average meeting between these teams.

Seattle is hosting Green Bay in what is essentially a playoff preview. Right now, the Seahawks are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, while the Packers are the No. 6 seed. Should the regular season magically end right now, these teams would play this exact game at Lumen Field in Wild Card Weekend. While the stakes may not be “loser goes home for good,” they are still incredibly high… especially for Seattle.

Simply put, here is what is at stake for the Seahawks:

  • If they win: Seattle remains in first place in the NFC West and stays put at the No. 3 seed. They don’t necessarily improve standings wise, but remaining where they are at is just as important.
  • If they lose: the Seahawks will not only fall to second place in the NFC West, as the Rams will overtake them, they will fall out of the playoff picture entirely.

While Seattle’s season won’t be “over” if they lose, they will find themselves on the outside looking in for the next three weeks of the season where they will be fighting for their lives. Not exactly a spot you want to be in this time of the year.

Additionally, should Seattle lose but end up winning the West, the additional loss will almost certainly knock them out of the No. 3 spot for the playoffs. There is a huge difference between No. 3 and No. 4, who would likely host the Minnesota Vikings.

So yeah, to say the Seahawks need to find a way to win at home tonight is the understatement of the day.

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Seahawks vs. Packers could be playoff preview

Seahawks vs. Packers could be playoff preview

The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. It’s a massive game between two playoff contenders to help further decide the standings in the NFC. In fact, if the playoffs started today, the Seahawks and Packers would meet in the wild-card round, as pointed out by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter via social media.

The Seahawks have won four consecutive contests, including three triumphs over their divisional rival San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals (sweeping the regular-season series). Mike Macdonald’s ongoing win streak has catapulted his club to the top of the NFC West standings. Seattle would host Green Bay at Lumen Field in a wild-card game if the current postseason seedings were confirmed. The Packers can’t win the NFC North because the Detroit Lions are an NFL-best 12-1.

The Packers enter Sunday’s contest nearly as red-hot as the Seahawks. They’ve claimed three victories in their last four outings, including a 38-10 blowout victory over the 49ers. They also dominated the Chicago Bears 30-17. Green Bay’s lone defeat since November 3rd was a narrow 34-31 setback to the Lions in Week 14.

Things can change, but Seattle’s Week 15 contest versus the Packers qualifies as a potential postseason preview.

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Seahawks elevate RB George Holani from practice squad

Seahawks elevate RB George Holani from practice squad

For the second-straight week, the Seattle Seahawks are elevating undrafted rookie running back George Holani from the practice squad. Sunday night will mark the third game of the season the former Boise State Bronco will be a member of the active 53-man roster.

This news comes on the heels of starter Kenneth Walker III being listed as DOUBTFUL. Last week, Walker was downgraded to OUT on Saturday, prompting Holani’s elevation. The fact Holani is already being elevated does not bode well for Walker’s availability (or lack thereof) for the Week 15 showdown against the Packers.

In Walker’s absence last week, Zach Charbonnet had himself a whale of game. He rushed 22 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Behind him will be former seventh round pick out of Georgia Kenny McIntosh.

Charbonnet and McIntosh will likely get the majority of snaps, leaving Holani for special teams. However, Holani is still a strong runner. It remains to be seen if he will get a snap or two to show what he can bring to the table.

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