Here’s how the Seattle Seahawks grade out in their 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium:
OFFENSE
This was Seattle’s worst offensive performance of the season. The Seahawks managed just 151 total yards, the fewest Seattle’s had in a game this season. Quarterback Geno Smith’s turnover woes continued as he lofted up one bad interception and also lost a fumble on a strip sack. Third down was a disaster, as the Seahawks went 1-for-12, and they managed a paltry six first downs all game. And the Seahawks’ offensive line was overwhelmed by a Ravens unit that came into the game leading the NFL in both scoring defense and sacks, as Smith was sacked four times and pressured constantly. It was ugly.
Grade: F
DEFENSE
Speaking of season worsts, Seattle allowed 515 yards, which was 89 more than any other game this year. The Seahawks’ run defense had been much improved this season, but if not for late kneel downs the Ravens would have eclipsed 300 yards on the ground, including 138 on just nine carries by a running back (Keaton Mitchell) who had zero NFL carries previously. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson is nearly impossible to stop because of his ability with both his arm and his legs, and Seattle wasn’t the team that found the formula. The defense did force two fumbles in the second quarter, which nearly kept the Seahawks in it in the first half.
Grade: D
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Michael Dickson had a first-quarter punt that was executed perfectly to pin the Ravens at their own 4-yard line. However, he had other chances for deep pins and couldn’t quite pull it off. Seattle’s been reliably better than the opposition in the return game this season, but that wasn’t the case Sunday as the Seahawks allowed a 24-yard punt return, kick returner Dee Eskridge had one return that didn’t get past the 10, and punt returner DeeJay Dallas left the game with a shoulder injury. Kicker Jason Myers pretty much had the day off, but at least he made his one short field-goal attempt.
Grade: C-
COACHING
Given Seattle was facing the top pass rush in the NFL, it was curious not to see the Seahawks come out with the quick-passing game from the start. That said, even when Seattle tried quick throws the blitz was in so quick that Smith wasn’t able to do anything with the ball. Nothing the Seahawks tried on defense ever slowed down Baltimore’s run game. The sequence at the end of the first half, when Seattle had a chance for points following a strip sack but then gave up a field goal following another strip sack on third-and-21, was more misfortune than poor decisions. I appreciate going for it on fourth-and-7 in the fourth quarter when trailing 30-3 rather than taking a chip-shot field goal.
Grade: C-
OVERALL
This was a humbling, as the Seahawks were taken to the woodshed by a very good Baltimore team. Say whatever you want about Smith’s performance, the run defense, coaching schemes, etc., when a team gets bullied at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball the way Seattle was bullied by the Ravens on Sunday, there’s not much that can be done about it. Seattle was beginning to fancy itself as a contender after winning five of six to move into first place in the NFC West. Now the Seahawks know exactly what level they have to achieve to make contending a reality.
Grade: D-
– Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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