Monday Round-Up: Media Reactions To Seahawks' 19-16 Win Over The Rams

Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Monday, January 9 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

Media Reacts To Seattle's Overtime Win Over The Rams

In dramatic overtime fashion, the Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 to complete the regular season, and they aren't done yet. Thanks to that win, as well as Detroit's 20-16 win over Green Bay, Seattle clinched a playoff berth to end the season on a high note.

With everything on the line, Seattle came into Sunday's contest needing a victory of their own and help from the Lions. The Seahawks managed to pull off the win over the Rams after a slow start. After settling for two field goals and falling behind 13-6 in the first half, a push from the backfield and the defense led to a gritty overtime win.

Quarterback Geno Smith battled back from an interception in his first offensive series and constant pressure to cap a record-breaking season. On the day, the West Virginia alum went 19-31 for 213 yards for a score along with two picks. Despite being sacked three times, Smith exhibited his mobility under duress, rushing for 51 yards on four attempts. In addition to leading the game-winning overtime field goal drive, Smith became the franchise single-season record holder in passing yards (4,287), completion percentage (69.8), attempts (582), and completions (399).

Smith shared the record-breaking spotlight Sunday with several players, including wideout Tyler Lockett. Before the game, the eighth-year Kansas State alum accepted the 2022 Steve Largent Award from the Seahawks Legend himself at the 20-yard-line.

Leading the way for Seattle with 54 receiving yards on four receptions, Lockett caught a touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game and climb over the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth-straight time - tying Largent for the most consecutive 1,000 receiving-yard seasons in team history.

Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III hit the 100-yard mark for the third-consecutive game, rushing for 114 yards on 29 attempts. The Michigan State alum joined Seahawks Legend Curt Warner as the only backs in franchise-history to rush for 1,000 yards in their rookie campaign. 

Coach Carroll discussed his talented rookie back post-game following the win. 

"He is good man," said Carroll. "I'm impressed with him. The plays that he makes and the bursts that he has and the creativity and how tough he is. There's not a tougher run than the one he ran to convert I think it was fourth down. You can't run any harder than that. We have a tough guy. We have a guy that loves to play. He doesn't even flinch. He doesn't even flinch. He is going back out again. He isn't worried about nothing. I love to compete with him, and he is really talented. Play he made on the catch on the perimeter, beautiful play too."

Along with wideout DK Metcalf, who surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in Week 17, Walker and Lockett give Seattle its second trio in team history to finish with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 1,000-yards on the ground. 

Seattle's defense held the Rams to 16 points Sunday, holding the Rams to 4 for 14 on third down attempts. Heavy pressure up-front led to five sacks by Seattle, led by veteran linebacker Bruce Irvin. With 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and two hits on Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield, Irvin led the charge in the final game of the year. Now, Irvin gets another shot at the playoffs in his third stint with the team that it all started with in 2012.

Rookie edge rusher Boye Mafe recorded his third sack of his career, while linebacker Darrell Taylor pushed his new career-high to 9.5 after bringing down Mayfield in the third quarter. Rookie corner Coby Bryant recorded his second-career sack, joining a unique first-year group of performers. The Cincinnati alum became the first rookie defensive back in over 20 years to record multiple sacks and four-or-more forced fumbles and passes deflected.

Seattle's lone takeaway came in overtime, as safety Quandre Diggs came out of nowhere to snag a floating pass from Mayfield that very well could have ended the Seahawks playoff chances in overtime. Diggs' fourth interception of the year is his second in as many games. The Texas alum is the first safety to record three or more interceptions in six straight seasons since Hall of Fame Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed did it in eight straight seasons from 2006-2013.

After securing the win, the team was left to determine how they'd watch the Sunday Night Football matchup that would determine their playoff fate. Before the Lions' eventual win secured Seattle's playoff spot, Carroll discussed his thoughts on the year he had and what's next.

"We're going to take the culture that we have created on this team with us," said Carroll. "I mean, I've been around a bunch of teams, and this is exactly the mentality that we need moving forward to do some great stuff. This is a championship team, and so we'll get opportunities to add to it and all of that, but the heart, togetherness, the willingness to work. We make our own attitude. We create our own attitude. Attitude is everything. Well, we got that. So we just need to get a little more experienced and help ourselves grow, as naturally will happen, and be a better executing team in all situations. You know, we're in a pretty good place right now."

After an emotional rollercoaster of a season in a new home, Seahawks Legend Bobby Wagner received a standing ovation from the fanbase he called his own since Seattle called his name in the 2012 draft. No love was lost before or following the game, as Wagner shared moments with coaches, former teammates and fans alike.

Capping off an underdog year with a playoff performance is as perfect as you can get for a year that began with plenty doubt coming from outside the organization. Now, Seattle gets a third crack at the San Francisco 49ers Saturday in the NFC Wild Card.

Here's what Pacific Northwest and national media had to say following the game:

Vonnai Phair of the Seattle Times: How to watch or listen to Seahawks vs. 49ers wild-card playoff matchup.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Geno Smith has shown he should be a top priority for Seahawks in offseason.

The Seattle Times Sports Staff: Seahawks players, fans react to Seattle’s improbable playoff appearance.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Bobby Wagner gets rousing reception in first game back at Lumen Field.

Adam Jude of the Seattle Times: Bruce Irvin leads defensive charge in potential farewell with Seahawks.

Adam Jude of the Seattle Times: Three things we learned from Seahawks’ overtime victory over the Rams.

Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports 710AM: Rost: What makes Seahawks’ surprising return to playoffs so sweet.

Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Playoff-bound: What Seahawks said after dramatic OT win in Week 18.

Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports 710AM: They’re in: Seahawks make playoffs — and get a top 5 pick.

Seattle Sports 710AM Staff: Seahawks’ Instant Reaction: 19-16 OT win over Rams keeps hopes alive.

Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett Reflects on Career Journey as Seattle Heads to Playoffs.

Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: ​​Playoff-bound Seahawks ‘partying’ after defense, run game (and the Lions) deliver.

Brady Henderson of ESPN's NFL Nation: 'Rewarded with an opportunity': Seahawks sneak into playoffs.

Seahawks Tackle Homelessness With Windermere

For every defensive solo tackle made at a Seahawks home game this season, Windermere will donate $100 to Mary's Place in support of their mission to provide safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children, and families on their journey out of homelessness. Windermere is the "Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks."

The Seahawks racked up 36 defensive solo tackles on Sunday, equating to a $3,600 donation to Mary's Place. Linebacker Cody Barton led Seattle with 7 total tackles, six solo along with a pass deflection.

Social Post Of The Day

Still ain't wrote back. Playoff-Bound. #Seahawks