Final thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers
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Final thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 15 loss to the Green Bay Packers

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

The Seattle Seahawks have had slow starts several times this season, but they weren’t presented with a scenario until Sunday that would require the comeback to occur without starting quarterback Geno Smith.

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Seahawks cut their deficit to 10 points in the fourth quarter in a primetime loss to the Green Bay Packers. But with Sam Howell at quarterback and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb refusing to run the football, it was too big an upgrade for Seattle.

The Seahawks fell to 8-6, ending their four-game winning streak and falling out of first place in the NFC West (Los Angeles Rams have a head-to-head tiebreaker).

Green Bay’s first four drives all resulted in points. Then the Seahawks caved in and stopped the Packers on seven of their nine possessions in the second half, opening the door for Seattle to get back into the game.

A forced fumble by Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV early in the fourth quarter led to running back Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard touchdown run, increasing Green Bay’s lead to 23–13. Charbonnet couldn’t carry the ball the rest of the game, and the Packers finally scored again with 4:59 left to put the game out of reach.

It wasn’t a surprise because the way the offense was playing, Seattle finished with a season-low 208 total yards, including just 93 in the second half. That was the lowest offensive total in a game since the 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 last season.

The offense continues to take two steps forward and one step back. After their dominant 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14, which included a team season-high 176 yards rushing, it appeared the offense had turned a corner.

Now the Seahawks are having their worst offensive performance of the season after playing their best. Having Smith back at quarterback will be crucial to the unit’s success in Week 16 against a red-hot Minnesota Vikings (11-2) team.

Head coach Mike Macdonald’s defensive adjustments in the second half were successful this season. The offense didn’t follow a similar formula, and a quarterback change will only compound the unit’s woes.

It was a disappointing finish to Seattle’s second primetime game of the season and should be a test of whether the Seahawks belong in the postseason conversation. Even if they return to their previous effectiveness during their four-game winning streak, a loss to the Vikings would hurt their playoff chances.

Check out the video above for final thoughts on Seattle’s Week 15 loss to the Packers from the Seahawks via SI’s Corbin K. Smith and Connor Benintendi.

‘I didn’t feel like us’: Seahawks offense stuck in mud against Packers

‘I have to get better’: Sam Howell endures Seahawks’ historically poor debut

5 turning points in the Seattle Seahawks’ disheartening loss to the Packers

Game review: Injuries and turnovers threaten the Seahawks with a loss against the Packers in prime time

Quick Reaction: Seahawks lose Geno Smith, NFC West leads in ugly 30-13 loss to Packers

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