Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Monday, December 26 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
In a chilly Christmas Eve road matchup, the Seahawks fell 24-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite losing five of their last six, Seattle remains in the NFC playoff picture.
Despite out-gaining Kansas City in total yardage (333), Seattle scored just three points in the first half. Failure to extend drives was detrimental, as the Seahawks went 2-14 on third down attempts. Quarterback Geno Smith completed 25-40 passes for 215 yards, with one touchdown coming late in the contest. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis combined for a sack each, as Smith was under pressure throughout the contest. In the absence of wideout Tyler Lockett due to a broken hand, Seattle came into Arrowhead depleted at receiver. DK Metcalf surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, catching seven passes for 81 yards. Tight end Noah Fant scored the only touchdown of the day, his fourth of the season.
Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for his third 100-yard game of the season Saturday, gaining 107 yards on 26 attempts. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll discussed the importance of Walker's performance for the future.
"It is so important," said Carroll. "He is such a good player and our guys up front blocked their tails off today. You can see how we run the football. I think we ran it 11 times in the first half to nothing. We just didn't get anything going. We were just determined enough to go back out in the second half and make them find out if we were going to run it or not. We did. The guys up front did well. Blocks at the line of scrimmage were very efficient. That is who we want to be."
Aside from Walker's growth, Seattle's defense was the bright spot of the day. Defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt's defense became just the fifth this season to hold Kansas City to under 25 points. Kansas City was just 3-11 on third down attempts, gained a season-low 297 yards and rushed for 77 yards.
Defensive end Darrell Taylor brought down Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for his sixth sack of the season. Kicker Jason Myers extended his streak to 11 consecutive games without a miss, nailing a 22-yarder before halftime.
Coach Carroll discussed what the team needs to do to end the skid and get into the playoffs.
"We have to be more efficient," said Carroll. "We were not efficient on third down. We need to be more consistent on offense. The last couple of weeks, defense has really started to step it up and that is what we need. It is everything. We need to do a little bit better everywhere. We didn't get the football today We are minus one the last couple of weeks. It has been that in the last stretch five out of six it has been the football. We threw plus five or six at one point. We have worked our way back out of that. That tells the story as much as anything too. There are efficiency things we have to be better at too. We have to take care of the football and get the football. That is how the game works."
"His elbow just kind of gave out a little bit or something like that, so he had an issue with it," Carroll said. "He was OK to play, he could have played, but we thought let's get him out of there and rest it, because it impacts him too much, I don't think he reinjured it as much as he just kind of aggravated it."
Despite being banged up on both sides of the ball, Seattle's playoff hopes lie in front of them. Week 17 presents another opportunity to show the grit that Carroll demands.
Here's what Pacific Northwest and national media had to say following the game:
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks need some help, but NFL playoff hopes still alive.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III ‘more decisive’ against Chiefs.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Seahawks show signs of improvement, but it might be too little too late.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Reporter Bob Condotta grades the Seahawks’ loss to the Chiefs.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Seahawks can still make playoffs, but they don’t play like they deserve to.
Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports 710AM: Rost’s Takeaways: Why the Seahawks are down but not out.
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Big day for Seahawks’ defense spoiled by low point for offense.
Mike Lefko of Seattle Sports 710AM: Lefko: Instant reaction to Seahawks’ 24-10 loss to Kansas City.
The Associated Press: Recap: Seahawks’ offense goes cold in 24-10 loss to Chiefs.
Zach Dimmitt of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Defense Only Source of Warmth in Loss to Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes.
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks 'Deep Freeze': 5 Takes on Geno Smith & Loss at Chiefs.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks not dead yet, but don’t look like a playoff team after loss to Chiefs.
Social Post Of The Day
Still ain't wrote back. Two games remain. #Seahawks
