Seahawks dismantled by Rams at home in season opener, "We have a lot of work to do.”
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – While there were other factors that played into a nightmare season opening loss for the Seattle Seahawks, the fact that the home team racked up only eleven yards of offense in the second half (and only one first down) is a glaring issue. The Los Angeles Rams, a team many said was going to struggle heavily this past offseason, marched into Lumen Field and handed a divisional rival one of the uglier losses in a season opener in Seahawks history, leaving many asking for accountability. While week one is always the worst to pass any real judgement on considering how early in the season it is, there’s legitimate reason for concern for Seattle and it must be cleaned up before a week two matchup against a jacked-up Lions team in Detroit.
Fine first half
The first half of this game wasn’t particularly the worst, considering that the Seahawks lead 13-7 going into the halftime break thanks to a DK Metcalf touchdown reception and a few field goals (could’ve been three field goals, if not for one that hit the uprights) from Jason Myers. The offense seemed to be searching for some rhythm, but that made sense considering that it was the first half of the very first game of the season. On the defensive side of things, it was a little bit of a letdown in terms of what expectations were coming into this game as had been built from the offseason and training camp, considering that the Rams marched down the field and scored a touchdown on their very first drive of the game. Following that score, the Seahawks defense was able to lock down and force that Rams into a punt on their next drive and field goal attempts on the two after that, which included a blocked attempt by Seattle defensive tackle Jarran Reed.
It seemed like the kind of scrappy, tough game that divisional opponents (specifically NFC West teams) would play, if we were basing things off how that first half went. Except, adjustments were made by one team and the other got caught not making changes and had some injuries hurt them. After going scoreless on their last three drives, Los Angeles came out of the half and immediately produced, as they’d score on the five drives that they had in the second half. A locked in Matthew Stafford and the receiving core that heavily featured rookie wideout Puka Nacua (Yes, former University of Washington receiver) as well as Tutu Atwell used heavy crossing patterns to slice up the Seahawks defense while a supposedly “reinvented” pass rush did little to help their secondary.
This was still a game within reach with just under five minutes left, as Seattle trailed by two possessions (27-13), but a nightmare of a drive doomed the Seahawks from any hope of a comeback attempt. The drive started out well for Geno Smith and the Seattle offense as he found tight end Colby Parkinson for eight yards on first down. It was what happened before Seattle even got to a second down that truly began their downfall, as wide receiver DK Metcalf was flagged for taunting, setting his team back 15 yards. Smith and a Seahawks offensive line without both starting tackles took sacks of nine and eight yards respectively, putting them in a fourth and 34 yards to go hole. The game was effectively over.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua torched the Seattle Seahawks for 119 yards on ten catches (Photo by Lindsey Wasson)
“They wanted it more today”
It was noticeable that the Rams outworked the Seahawks today in terms of effort and execution. Seattle was beaten numerous times with arm tackles, couldn’t execute properly, failed to get to the quarterback, and several players even said that Los Angeles simply wanted this game “more.” That sort of thing is tough to hear, especially when expectations for this team have been through the roof, largely because talk out of training camp from the team directly was very much about the potential of what this team could do. The lack of focus, highlighted by the fact that the Rams goaded DK Metcalf into that taunting penalty late in the ballgame when the Seahawks were looking to mount a comeback, shows that Seattle isn’t in proper form quite yet.
Show concern, but this isn’t the end of the world. Yet, that is.
At the end of the day, it still is week one. While yes, there are struggles that the team had that are concerning considering that they were areas of need last season and still don’t seem fixed, there is time for things to be fixed. Week one is universally the worst week to pass any sort of real judgement, so if these issues persist going into the next few weeks, then I’d start to wonder what’s happening and share my concern. This is a Seahawks group that while being very young still does have some great leadership across the board, from the coaching staff that includes Pete Carroll to a returning Bobby Wagner that knows what it takes to win in this league. Sports are about adjustments, and Seattle will need. The large consensus after this week one loss was that the Seahawks were aware of the mistakes, lack of focus, and lack of energy from their side and they’re out to try and rebound. It just won’t be very easy for them to do that against a Lions team that has essentially every shred of momentum riding in their favor.
Quick notes
Kicker Jason Myers has made a field goal in 16 consecutive games.
Wide receiver DK Metcalf tied Daryl Turner for sixth place on Seattle’s all-time receiving touchdowns list with 36.
Three Seahawks left the game with injuries at some point
RT Abraham Lucas: (knee).
LT Charles Cross: (toe).
WR Tyler Lockett: (evaluated pursuant to the concussion protocol.)
What’s next?
Following the frustration of this week one loss, Seattle will get back to practice and prepare for their first road test of the 2023-24 season. Things don’t get easier for the Seahawks in week two, as they’ll head to Ford Field in Detroit to take on a surely raucous crowd and a Lions team that’s coming off a week one victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff for that Sunday, September 17th game is at 10AM PST as Geno Smith and this Seahawks team look to bounce back from this slap in the mouth of a loss. Seattle will likely be without both of their starting offensive tackles in the game which is a massive blow especially against a Detroit team that loves to blitz their opponents. The game will be broadcast on FOX, as Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, and Erin Andrews will be on the call.
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Cover photo by Lindsey Wasson