At times this season, the Seahawks offense has looked great, with Geno Smith delivering audacious passes to the likes of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for big plays, and with Kenneth Walker III making explosive plays in the running game.
And at times this season, the Seahawks offense has been mistake-prone and disjointed, with penalties, sacks and turnovers keeping the offense from functioning.
Those mistakes have been significant factors in Seattle's losses, but when the offense is humming, the Seahawks feel like they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league, including this week's opponent, the San Francsico 49ers.
"I think we can beat anybody," Smith said. "I think we got the guys in this locker room, we got the coaches, we got the right mindset, we got the right work ethic. I think we have to be a little bit smarter and definitely be smarter in the situational area. And then also I think we've got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot, stop putting ourselves in backed-up situations early on. It's going to be tough in this league playing in third-and-longs. I mean the percentage rate is not high, so the more we can put ourselves in those manageable situations, the better we are, and we've been great in the third-and-medium game, so just thinking about first and second down, those are the big things is being better on first and second down, which will help us out on third down."
The Seahawks have committed 11 turnovers in their five losses this season, including two in a Week 6 loss to the 49ers, and they've had nine or more penalties in four of those losses, including 23 in the past two games. Not all of that has been on the offense, but enough of those issues have come in that phase of the game to hold an otherwise explosive offense back. Of course, talking about eliminating those mistakes is a lot easier than actually making it happen, but players and coaches have both been encouraged by what they've seen on the practice field this week when it comes to taking that messaging onto the field.
"I thought the staff did a really good job of diving into some of the details of where we've been, things that we need to execute better obviously, and then trying to build off some of the strengths as well," offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "I thought that a lot of things that showed up were the obvious things, the turnovers and penalties. It's easy to talk about those and be like, we can't have as many. It's another thing to try to dive into ways to try to create an environment that can improve those things. I thought this week we've done a really, really good job of that, and Mike (Macdonald) has helped foster that within the team atmosphere, and I just think we're doing a really good job trying to get that narrowed in.
And the Seahawks know they will need to be sharper on offense—and really in all phases—to knock off the 49ers on Sunday. The Seahawks won 17 of 20 games against the 49ers over a decade-long stretch from 2012 through the 2021 season, but since then the 49ers have had Seattle's number, winning six in a row, postseason included, over the past three seasons. The Seahawks very much still see themselves as a playoff contender despite their recent struggles, but they know that if they're going to be the team they want to be, they need to show they can hang with the team that has won two straight division titles and that won the NFC last season.
"I think when you think about division opponents, these games matter the most, especially with the 49ers," Smith said. "They've been at the top of our division, one of the best teams in the league for a while, and if we want to be that type of team that we say we are, we got to go through teams like this and I have no doubt in my mind the type of guys that we have, the type of preparation we're going to put in and really the way that we're going to step on that field. I know that I'm going to step on it with that chip on my shoulder, that edge that I always have, and I know my guys are as well."
For Smith's part, he has been a huge factor in Seattle's wins this season, and also in keeping the Seahawks close in four of their five losses, and he's done that despite a high pressure rate and inconsistent run game, but having to throw so often and often in situations where a defense knows the Seahawks have to throw, Smith has also thrown 10 interceptions. The blame can be spread out to a lot of player other than Smith on most of those, be it because Smith was hit by a pass rusher or because a receiver didn't secure a catch, but regardless of any mitigating factors, Smith has repeatedly put the blame on his shoulders, even opening his press conference with an apology after throwing three interceptions in Seattle's Week 9 loss.
"First of all, I want to start off by apologizing to my teammates, really, and to the city, to the organization," Smith said after Seattle's overtime loss to the Rams. "They put a lot of trust in me with my decision-making, and when they put the ball in my hands, when my teammates play the way they played today and to give us a shot to win the game, I've got to make sure we do. The things I did today, mistakes that I made, they affected us negatively and really cost us the game today. Me knowing myself, I know how much this is going to hurt. I'm going to step it up, though. That's how I feel about it. I'm going to step it up."
Asked about that apology on Thursday, Smith said, "That's just how I felt, that's truly how I feel. That's how I feel about the game. Like I told you guys, I thrive when the ball's in my hand and when I don't do the things that I'm accustomed to doing. When we have those mistakes and they turn the game, I'm going to be the first to stand up and put it on my shoulders, and I do that every time. But, again, I'm not living in the past. That stuff happened and we've got to learn from it. But ultimately, I'm always going to be accountable."
And if any player is equipped to bounce back from a three-interception game and help lead the Seahawks on a second-half surge, it's a Pro-Bowl quarterback who had to fight his way back into a starting role after spending seven seasons as a backup for four different teams.
"Resiliency," Grubb said when asked his quarterback's best trait. "I think Geno's career has been very non-traditional. You think about what he's gotten through and just stayed with it. I think there's a lot of people, a lot of guys that have played in this league that never would've stuck with it as long as Geno did. I don't want to paint Geno as this survivor; I think he's a guy that has continued to improve his craft and operating at an elite level. He is leading the NFL and passing yards per game. And I think that you think about that as far as him being a player, there's a lot of guys that would be at this stage of their career that would be accepting of a backup role. And I feel like Geno just, he prepares and gets himself ready like he still has his best ball in front of him. So I think he's a really resilient, tough guy."
The Seahawks and 49ers face off on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:05 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)
