SEATTLE (AP) — An awkward hit ended quarterback Geno Smith’s night and may have done serious damage to the Seahawks’ playoff chances. Smith left Seattle’s 30-13 loss to Green Bay on Sunday night with a right knee injury and was replaced by Sam Howell midway through the third quarter. The injury doomed the Seahawks’ comeback attempt and put a serious chill on their hopes for an NFC West title. They dropped to 8-6 and fell out of the top spot, now tied with the Los Angeles Rams, who have the tiebreaker following their earlier victory over Seattle.
The Seahawks faced the Packers with much at stake: Seattle needed the win to maintain their position atop the NFC West, but Green Bay was aiming to secure its playoff berth. The stakes couldn’t have been higher under the bright lights of Lumen Field.
Smith will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. “It’s tough,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “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. But we’ve got confidence in Sam, confidence in the guys behind him. So, I pray everything is OK with Geno. But we’ve got to be ready to go.”
Smith went down on what many described as a low hit from linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. After attempting to shake off the injury, he limped to the sidelines, where frustration overcame him as he threw his helmet. He later exited the field, walking with trainers who escorted him to the locker room. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald shared post-game insights, saying there did not appear to be any structural damage to Smith’s right knee. Smith had entered the game ranking among the top passers, performing solidly this season.
The Seahawks struggled before Smith’s injury, with the quarterback throwing one interception during the game. Known for his resilience, Smith went 15 of 19 for 149 yards but fell prey to the opportunistic Green Bay defense, which exploited his late first-quarter mistake as Carrington Valentine picked him off. The Seahawks were already trailing 20-6 when he exited.
With Smith sidelined, Howell entered the game. Acquired via trade from Washington, Howell faced stiff opposition and completed 5 of 14 passes for only 24 yards, leading one touchdown drive but throwing another interception. The Packers' defense harried both quarterbacks and recorded seven sacks combined throughout the game.
"I’ve got a lot of respect for Geno, and just watching him through his career how he’s reinvented himself. And he’s playing really good football — I mean, you’re not the second-ranked passing leader in this game for no reason,” remarked Packers coach Matt LaFleur. Howell reflected on his unexpected role, emphasizing the importance of preparation, saying, "I prepare every week like I’m going to start... it's about getting those reps and being ready for whatever happens.”
After Smith was realized, the Seahawks managed to find some rhythm. A highlight arose when Ernest Jones IV knocked the ball from Josh Jacobs’ grip, resulting in a fumble recovery by Julian Love. Utilizing this momentum, Howell connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and handed off to Zach Charbonnet, who took it 24 yards for Seattle’s first touchdown. Still, the score was 23-13, with significant time left for the Packers to rebound.
Throughout this contest, two things were clear: the Packers capitalized on the Seahawks' offensive inconsistency, and Seattle's defense appeared to struggle against Green Bay's balanced attack. The Packers offense engaged in consistent downfield attacks, stretching Seattle’s defense as quarterback Jordan Love found openings. Jacob showcased strength, and the Packers were consistent as they pushed to score.
Game highlights included the Seahawks' defensive stops, but these moments arrived too sporadically. The failure to mount consistent offensive pressure—together with Howell's struggle to find timing—and the scale of the Packers' defensive line contributed to the Seahawks' subsequent loss. Fans watched as Howell was sacked mercilessly and tried to maintain morale, but the game slipped away.
Looking at the stats, the Seahawks recorded just 80 yards rushing and 173 passing—far from the balance they needed. Coach Macdonald had suggested earlier the need to adapt quickly, emphasizing the defensive strategies and stopping the run, but the Packers consistently overcame. The Seahawks left the field facing questions about their future as playoff prospects dimmed.
With every game counting from here on out, fans must wonder how the team addresses this setback as they gear up for their next battle against the Minnesota Vikings next week. "Your final score tonight is 30-13 Green Bay Packers," concluded the night against what was once hoped to be their stepping-stone to success.
