Five games into the 2024 season, the Seahawks have done a lot of things well, hence a 3-0 start, but they've also struggled at times in other areas, hence the back-to-back losses.
The defense has been outstanding at times, but has struggled for stretches in other games. The running game, led by Kenneth Walker III, was explosive in Week 1, then again for a half in Detroit, but has been absent for other games.
And through the ups and downs early this season, arguably the most consistent part of Seattle's game has been the Geno Smith-led passing attack. That's not to say that Smith has been perfect—he'd be the first to tell you he can and should be better—but if the Seahawks have been able to hang their hat on one thing pretty much every Sunday, it has been their ability to move the ball through the air.
"Geno is a big bright spot on our football team right now," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "He's a galvanizing force. The guy's competing his tail off. Doing a lot of great things. Let's keep it going. We're five games in, we've got a long way to go. But, the good news is we got another game here to make it right and have Geno take the next step in his game. And, we expect him to do so. We're going to be leaning on him."
Through five games, the Seahawks rank a solid seventh in total offense and 11th in scoring, and are doing that despite having the fewest rushing attempts in the league. That formula, though not ideal according to Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, has worked largely because of how well Smith and the rest of the passing game have function, with Smith leading the NFL in passing yards (1,466), completions (143) and attempts (199). And Smith is still maintained a high level of accuracy at that high volume, completing 71.9 percent of his passes, which is tied for third in the league.
"Geno plays with a lot of confidence in his preparation," Grubb said. "He trusts himself to make the right kind of throws and decisions, and certainly he's earned that as a veteran. He's certainly shown that since I've been here. Myself, I have a ton of confidence in Geno to be able to make all of those decisions and throws and be responsible. And he really has done a great job of taking care of the ball. A couple of the picks that he's had have been tipped interceptions, so a couple of tough-luck throws there. So I think that's a big part of it, just how much he trusts his preparation."
For his part, Smith isn't paying attention to how often he is being asked to throw the ball this season, but rather on making the most of each of those opportunities to help the offense function. Like fans, coaches and just about everyone else, he knows a more balanced attack will be better in the long run, but if a game calls for him to throw 40-plus times, as he has in three of the last four games, then he's up to that challenge.
"I think it's just how the game goes sometimes," Smith said. "I'm not out there sitting there counting all the reps, I'm trying to make the reps count. So, I'm just going out there, doing my job, and putting us in the best position to make plays and to win the game. Obviously, we were in the fourth quarter, we were in pretty much two-minute drill down two scores trying to score a touchdown and then get in field goal range. So, it's going to be more passes than runs. Time is of the essence in that situation. I think that's the reason for it, but obviously we got to continue to fight for that balance that we love."
Smith is not only on pace to set career highs in those passing categories, he's also, just shy of his 34th birthday, rushing the ball more effectively than he has in his 12-year career. After posting the longest run of his career in Week 1 with a 34-yard touchdown, he had a single-game career high last weekend, rushing for 72 yards on four carries. And with 146 yards on 20 rush attempts, Smith is on pace to eclipse his career high of 366 rushing yards set in 2022.
"I want to continue to do that," Smith said of the running element of his game. "I want to continue to take advantage of it if teams are going to play us in man, and they're not going to put a (QB) spy out there. If they're not going to maintain their rush lanes, and I can get out there and get extra yards, then I think that helps our offense. It also puts a little bit more stress on the D coordinators and what they want to do. But yeah, my game is not revolved around that, but I've always had it. I tend to try to pick my spots of when to do it. But, if there's a lane, I'm going to go."
At some point this season—the Seahawks hope it will happen on Thursday—they'll start running the ball more consistently and balance out their offense. That would take some of the burden off of Smith, it would make things easier on an offensive line that has had to pass block a ton in recent weeks, and as any good running game does, it would bring an added level of physicality to the offense. But when the Seahawks do need to turn to the passing game to lead the way, Smith has shown in the first five games of this season that he's more than up to the challenge even when a lot is put on his shoulders.
"He's tough as nails, man. He's a total warrior," Grubb said. "He's a passionate, passionate player. I thought this week, probably more than any week, it would have been very easy for him to let frustration take over his game. I think that's the thing you see from a veteran quarterback is a guy who can still be passionate, be himself, and find a way to get himself back to room temperature to make good decisions and still give us a chance to win at the end of the game. That's one of the things I'm really impressed with Geno, just his ability to reel it back in, motivate the guys on the sideline, bring everybody together and try to orchestrate a winning drive."
The Seahawks and 49ers face off on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks fullback Dan Doornink (33) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Oct. 7, 1979. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 35-24. (AP Photo/Al Messerschmidt)
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana (16) passes during an NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1985, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 19-6. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers' Terrell Owens catches the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia while Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs defends during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Monday, Oct. 14. 29, 2002. The 49ers won, 28-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Marcus Robertson (31) gets ready to make sure San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst (20) is stopped on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks' Antonio Cochran (78) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate safety Ken Hamlin on the first play after the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-19. At left is 49ers' Ron Stone. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers running back Kevan Barlow (32) looks for hole in line on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for room to pass under pressure from San Francisco 49ers' John Engelberger (95) and Derrick Hamilton (88) in the first quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, runs in for a touchdown past San Francissco 49ers' Ronnie Heard on a 33-yard pass reception in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Seattle Seahawks' D.J. Hackett (18) grabs a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers' Shawntae Spencer in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attempts to pass under pressure from Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, right, and Rodney Bailey (95) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 41-3. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws downfield while under pressure from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (18) cannot hold on to a pass in the second quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Mark Roman defends in the second quarter Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore, center, fumbles in front of Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp in the first quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Marcus Pollard #88 of the Seattle Seahawks spins after the reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 12, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 24-0. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Marcus Pollard
Seattle Seahawks' Josh Wilson defends as San Francisco 49ers' Isaac Bruce makes a 33-yard reception in overtime in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. The 49ers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones, left, carries the ball in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59), top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Justin Forsett in action against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ruvell Martin (82) catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (22) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) drives for the end zone during an NFL game against Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor (31) on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tries to make a tackle while blocked by Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) during the NFL week 7 football game on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game 13-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman comes down with an interception ahead of San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Randy Moss in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 42-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the defense of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a 35-yard touchdown pass at 13:44 of the fourth quarter of the NFL NFC Championship playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 23-17. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson (10) heads downfield during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Nov. 27, 2014, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Seahawks won the game, 19-3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner, left, closes in on San Francisco 49ers' Carlos Hyde, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) drops the ball after scoring a touchdown ahead of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches the ball against San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane (20) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
In this third in a series of seven photos, Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson leaps over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond, left, as defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
