SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks faced disappointment on Sunday night as they endured a 30-13 defeat against the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field. The Seahawks saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, leaving them tied for first place in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams. Adding to the dismay, quarterback Geno Smith left the game with a knee injury, fueling concerns about the team's playoff aspirations.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love shined, completing 20 of 27 passes for 229 yards and throwing two touchdown passes to Romeo Doubs. Doubs, who had missed the previous two games due to concussion protocol, caught his second touchdown with just under five minutes remaining, sending the visiting fans at Lumen Field chanting “Go Pack Go!” Love expressed relief after the game, stating, “To kind of have some of those drives stall out and then to put a drive down the field and finish with [that] touchdown… definitely helps you be able to breathe a little bit.”
The Seahawks’ hopes of rallying from their deficit were tackled by Smith's injury. He was injured late in the third quarter when he was hit low by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, resulting in Smith throwing his helmet on the ground out of frustration before limping off the field. Coach Mike Macdonald later said they were awaiting scans but indicated, “structurally it looks like [his knee] is okay.” Smith had performed decently prior to his departure, completing 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards with one interception.
After Smith left, backup Sam Howell struggled. He finished the game going 5 of 14 for just 24 yards and one interception. Howell’s inability to ignite the offense led to the Seahawks’ third and out on consecutive series, failing to capitalize on the opportunities provided by their defense. The lone bright moment for Seattle came when Zach Charbonnet managed a 24-yard touchdown run, but by then it was too late.
The Packers took control early, scoring on all four possessions of the first half and taking advantage of undisciplined defensive plays from the Seahawks, including unnecessary roughness penalties. Running back Josh Jacobs racked up 94 rushing yards and scored one of Green Bay's touchdowns, marking another solid performance for the Packers, who are 10-4 and vying for playoff positioning after winning eight of their last ten games.
The Seahawks managed to score just three points before halftime, trailing 20-3. Smith, who had been efficient at the start of the game, faced significant pressure from the Packers' defense. An interception by Carrington Valentine halted a promising drive after Smith’s throw intended for Noah Fant was picked off in the end zone. Smith’s interception marked the 13th of the season and his fourth interception thrown within the red zone.
Despite the losing effort, there were pockets of clearer performances among the players. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was again the standout for Seattle, leading the team with 10 catches for 83 yards. He now has 994 receiving yards for the season, tantalizingly close to the 1,000-yard mark. He reflected positively on the team's goals and focus, saying, “Everything’s in front of us, all of our goals… we just have to get ready for [Minnesota] and get a win.”
The defeat raises alarms about the Seahawks’ quarterback depth. With Smith's uncertain status heading forward, there are worries about Howell stepping up as the starting quarterback if needed. Coach Macdonald appeared optimistic on Howell, stating, “That’s why we have Sam to come and help us win games if he needs to,” but it remains to be seen how effective he could be without consistent first-team reps.
The loss complicates Seattle's path to the playoffs. Now standing at 8-6, the Seahawks face the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday and will also look to reclaim dominance against the rival Rams later this month. Coach Macdonald addressed the looming challenges, emphasizing their goal of winning the division and securing home-field advantage for the playoffs.
With playoff dreams on the brink, Seattle’s upcoming games will be pivotal. Smith’s health is the primary immediate concern, but there's much for the Seahawks to adjust and rally around if they are to regain their momentum following the Packers loss.
