ATLANTA—Following a three-game losing streak, a lot of people wondered how the Seahawks might respond to a little bit of early-season adversity.
Pretty darn well, it turns out.
Putting together arguably their most complete performance of the season, the Seahawks rolled to a 34-14 win over the Falcons on Sunday, improving to 4-3 while snapping Atlanta's three-game winning streak.
Here are five rapid reactions to Sunday's win:
- Boye Mafe and Derick Hall teamed up for one of the plays of the season, setting off a turnover binge.
Since forcing three turnovers in a season-opening win, takeaways have been tough to come by for Seattle's defense, which had just one in its last five games. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and defensive players have said repeatedly in recent weeks that the lack of turnovers was a problem, and on Sunday the Seahawks got a huge turnover to help take over the game.
Already up by 10, the Seahawks were trying to keep the Falcons from cutting into the lead when, on third down near midfield, outside linebackers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall teamed up for one of the biggest plays of the season. Mafe, showing good effort after his initial rush was stopped, got to Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins just as he tried to throw, knocking the ball out of Cousins' hands and to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf. Fellow outside linebacker Derick Hall was there to scoop up the loose ball, and he took off down the sideline, scoring a 64-yard touchdown thanks in part to a block from Devon Witherspoon at the end of the run.
That score helped break the game open, and eventually Julian Love and Coby Bryant both got in on the turnover action, intercepting Cousins passes to help put the game away.
- After a costly miscommunication last week, Geno Smith & DK Metcalf were locked in.
In a Week 6 loss to the 49ers, Geno Smith threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception on a pass intended for DK Metcalf. The following week, Metcalf made it clear that the interception was his fault, the result of him improvising late in his route.
Those two had a good thing going on Sunday, however, with Metcalf catching four passes for 99 yards—though one of those came from Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a trick play—while Smith went 18 for 28 for 207 yards and two touchdowns.
Those two combined for a crucial play late in the first half, with the Seahawks electing to take a shot with 10 seconds left in the half and no timeouts, and Smith delivering a perfect pass in traffic to Metcalf for a 31-yard score. Metcalf unfortunately left the game in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury.
While Smith didn't put up as many yards as he has in recent weeks, he was spectacular, using pocket movement to avoid the pass rush and make game-changing plays.
- Coby Bryant and the rest of secondary depth held up quite well.
The Seahawks came into Sunday's game minus two of their top three cornerbacks, Riq Woolen and Tre Brown, as well as starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins. But even with those players sidelined, the secondary held up quite well, with Coby Bryant leading the way with a strong performance in his first start at safety.
Bryant, who was Seattle's nickel corner as a rookie in 2022, had a team-high 11 tackles playing for Jenkins, as well as a fourth-quarter interception. Julian Love added nine tackles and his second interception of the season, and with Nehemiah Pritchett and Josh Jobe filling in for Woolen and Brown, the Seahawks for the most part kept the passing game in check, with Cousins going 24 for 35 for 232 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions while not completing a pass longer than 26 yards, which was a short pass that Bijan Robinson turned into a long gain.
- Kenneth Walker III overcame illness to have a great birthday.
Running back Kenneth Walker III was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday, being listed as questionable due to illness. But even if Walker wasn't 100 percent, he was still able to play and make a big difference on his 24th birthday.
Early in the game, Walker had a 13-yard touchdown run called back due to holding, but he didn't let that faze him, coming back to score on a 20-yard run in the second quarter. Walker showed he could get the job done as a pass-catcher as well, hauling in an impressive 17-yard touchdown from Geno Smith in the third quarter.
Walker, seemingly on a bit of a pitch count due to his illness, carried only 14 times but gained 69 yards, and he once again showed his value as a pass catcher. Coming into the league, Walker wasn't known for his receiving ability, but that had more to do with Michigan State not using him as a receiver than his skillset. And recently, Walker has been showing up in the passing game more than ever, setting a career high with seven receptions in Week 5, then topping it with eight the following week. He wasn't targeted as often on Sunday, finishing with 24 yards on two catches, but as his touchdown catch showed he is a weapon in that part of the game as well.
- The run defense struggled early but got a lot better in the second half.
Run defense has been an issue for the Seahawks at times this season, and it looked like it was going to be a real problem again on Sunday. Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined for 117 yards on 15 carries in the first half.
After halftime, those two managed just 22 yards on six carries before the Falcons had to get pass-heavy while chasing a double-digit deficit. The Seahawks will no doubt want to clean up what led to the big plays in the first half, but the second-half turnaround was encouraging.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) and Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (98) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (98) and Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55), Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58), and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
