SEATTLE (AP) — The Green Bay Packers secured a decisive 30-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, potentially jeopardizing the Seahawks' playoff ambitions. The game was marked by quarterback Geno Smith’s injury, which left the Seahawks scrambling primarily due to their inability to keep pace with Green Bay's dominant performance.
Smith's departure from the game due to a right knee injury occurred midway through the third quarter when he was hit low by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. This hit not only halted Smith’s night but also dashed the Seahawks' hopes for making a comeback. "It’s tough. Geno’s the heartbeat of this offense, the heartbeat of this team and one of our leaders. So obviously, you don’t want to see him get hurt... I pray everything is OK with Geno. But we’ve got to be ready to go," said linebacker Ernest Jones IV on the impact of the quarterback’s absence.
Heading down the stretch, the Seahawks were already trailing 20-6 when Smith exited the game. His performance prior to the injury included 15 completions on 19 attempts for 149 yards, but it was marred by another end-zone interception – his fourth of the season – tying him with Jameis Winston for the NFL lead. Smith’s performance left much to be desired, with no touchdowns and frustration mounting among teammates as they struggled against the Packers’ relentless defense.
Seattle, now 8-6, finds itself sitting tied at the top of the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams, who they previously lost to this season. The team’s path to the playoffs became increasingly complicated, particularly as Smith will undergo scans to evaluate the severity of his injury. Coach Mike Macdonald stated, “Right now, structurally, it looks like it’s OK,” providing some glimmer of hope but stressing the need for additional testing.
Entering the game, the Seahawks were on a high after winning four straight outings, making the loss at home surprising, especially with their playoff positioning at stake. They started brightly but were unable to find any rhythm against a Green Bay team, which outgained them 369-208 overall. Macdonald admitted, “I thought just in general you got to give Green Bay a lot of credit. I thought they out-coached us. We didn’t have a good enough plan,” echoing the sentiments of many who questioned the team’s preparedness.
Green Bay’s performance impressed both critics and fans alike. The Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love, healthy and playing with confidence, led his team decisively. Running back Josh Jacobs scored early with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Romeo Doubs added to the tally with a 13-yard catch. The Packers had scored on their opening four possessions, taking full advantage of Seattle’s defensive gaps, leading 20-0 at halftime.
During Smith’s absence, backup Sam Howell stepped onto the field, having been traded from Washington earlier this season. Howell completed only five passes out of 14 attempts, totaling just 24 yards and leading one touchdown drive via Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard run. Howell's performance raised concerns as he struggled to adjust quickly to the high-pressure situation. “Wasn’t good enough to win,” remarked Macdonald on Howell’s showing, emphasizing the need for improvement.
Defensively, the Packers’ rush proved more than the Seahawks could handle. Defensive end Rashan Gary was instrumental, racking up sacks and forcing Seattle to settle for field goals. Smith's earlier struggles exemplified how pressured he was; apart from the alarming interception, he was under constant duress. “They came out, tweaked a few things, kind of attacked areas,” noted Jones about the Packers’ strategic adjustments.
The severity of Smith's knee injury remains uncertain as the team awaits the results of his scans. Howell has stated he will prepare as if starting next week against the Minnesota Vikings, showing his readiness to step up even as doubts linger over his performance and leadership abilities as the Seahawks’ potential playoff hopes hang by the thread. “I prepare every week like I’m going to start. But if I am playing, just getting those reps in practice will be important,” Howell said.
The outlook for the Seahawks now requires three victories over their final three games if they hope to secure their spot in the playoffs. This uphill battle only compounds the pressures of finishing the season strong following Sunday’s disheartening loss, with players and staff expressing cautious optimism over Smith’s recovery. Macdonald shared, “I know he’s disappointed... we got to learn from it and keep moving forward.” With the playoffs looming, it’s clear the Seahawks must regroup and find their footing quickly if they want to avoid being one of the postseason hopefuls left on the outside-looking-in.
