The first time the Seahawks had the ball in their Week 4 game at Detroit, Geno Smith capped the opening drive by firing a perfect back-shoulder strike to Will Dissly for a 17-yard score.
The next time Seattle had the ball, Smith capped the drive by scoring on an 8-yard run, and neither Smith nor the offense every really slowed down in what would end up being a wild 48-45 Seahawks victory.
It was, as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll described it after game, “spectacular football” being put on display by Smith, and for his standout performance in Sunday's win over the Lions, Smith has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
This is Smith's second career Player of the Week award, having previously won it as a rookie in 2013. He is the second Seahawks player to win Player of the Week honors this season, joining Uchenna Nwosu, who was recognized for his performance in Seattle's Week 1 win over the Broncos.
On his way to posting back-to-back 300-yard games for the first time in his career, Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and a 132.6 passer rating. Smith also rushed for 49 yards and a score on seven carries—it would have been a career-best 51 yards on five carries if not for two kneel-downs at the end of the game—using his legs to score a touchdown, to convert on third-and-7, extending a drive that ended in a touchdown, and to help get the Seahawks into field goal range on another drive.
Four games into the season, Smith leads the NFL with a 77.3 percent completion percentage, the highest mark through a quarterback's first four games in league history, minimum 125 attempts. Smith's 108.0 passer rating ranks third in the league.
"Geno played some spectacular football," Carroll said after the game. "Spectacular football. Not just the throwing and the catching, but the command of the game and running the whole show. He did an incredible job, and he ran the ball, too, for 50 yards or something. Fantastic day, I don't know how you could do a whole lot more, play a whole lot better than that."
Added DK Metcalf, who had a season-best 149 yards on seven catches, "(Shoot), he's been on fire all year. He keeps building, keeps getting better week by week, and our chemistry keeps growing, and we're finally building an identity for ourselves."
Yet for all Smith has done in his first four games as a starter since 2014, he and the rest of the Seahawks don't see what he's doing as some sort of anomaly, but rather just the result of what happens with a talented, hard-working quarterback finally receiving a long-overdue chance to be a starter again. And the way Smith sees it, he's just getting started.
"I can play better," he said. "I have not exceeded my expectations. I can play a lot better."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from Week 4 vs. the Detroit Lions on October 2, 2022 at Ford Field. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter bound for Detroit.
Upon arrival in Detroit, receiver Marquise Goodwin makes his way across the tarmac to the waiting buses.
On Saturday, running backs Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker chatted at walkthru.
Geno Smith, center, works through some strategy with receiver Tyler Lockett and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron (back to camera).
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett signs an autograph for a young 12 wearing his jersey.
Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks is the last player to leave Ford Field during a brief team visit on Saturday.
On game day, assistant coaches including Pat McPherson and Will Tukuafu greet Kyle Fuller as he heads to the team's meal room at the hotel.
Receiver Marquise Goodwin strikes a pose before he boards the bus to the stadium.
Quarterback Geno Smith walks to the buses.
Cornerback Michael Jackson looks out the window on the ride from the team hotel to the stadium on game day.
12s cheer on the Seahawks buses as they depart for the stadium.
Kenneth Walker on the field during early warmups on game day.
Quarterbacks Geno Smith and Drew Lock take their early warmup throws at Ford Field.
A young fan reacts as his favorite player DK Metcalf gives him his receiving gloves during pregame.
Seahawks gather on the field during pregame.
In the brief moments before the team leaves the locker room, Bryan Mone finds a quiet place to listen to music.
Offensive tackle Abraham Lucas sits in the locker rooom before the game.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett urged his teammates to link arms as he gave his pregame speech in the locker room.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett brings the team up right before heading to the field for kickoff.
The Seahawks make the long walk from the visitors locker room down to the playing surface at Ford Field.
Seahawks offensive linemen Gabe Jackson and Damien Lewis lead the Seahawks down to the field.
The Seahawks enter the field during pregame introductions.
Seattle tight end Will Dissly snags the Seahawks first TD on a pass from Geno Smith.
Seahawks safety Ryan Neal celebrates after a pass defense.
Quarterback Geno Smith celebrates in the end zone after his touchdown run in the first quarter as a Seahawks fan celebrates in the stands.
Kicker Jason Myers was all smiles after making a field goal in the first half. Myers was informed over the weekend of the birth of his second child.
At halftime, assistant coach Aaron Curry talks to members of the defense.
Quarterback Geno Smith stands and listens with members of the offense as assistant coach Andy Dickerson outlines adjustments and strategy.
Cornerback Tariq Woolen opened the second half with an interception that he took to the end zone.
Tariq Woolen scores on his third quarter pick-six.
Seattle's Uchenna Nwosu grabs Detroit's Jared Goff for a sack in the third quarter.
Seettle's DK Metcalf hauls in one of his seven receptions on the day.
Seattle's DK Metcalf leaps and falls but wasn't able to hang onto this deep pass in the end zone.
Seattle's Rashaad Penny crosses the goal line with the first of his two touchdowns against the Lions.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett tries to juggle and come down with a pass that was deflected and fell just out of reach.
12s were in attendance at Ford Field for the game.
Seattle safety Josh Jones nearly manages an interception near the end zone that fell incomplete.
Seattle's Rashaad Penny breaks away as the Lions sideline can only watch his 41-yard TD run late in the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll lets out a yell after Rashaad Penny's 41-yard TD gave the Seahawks a two-score lead late in the game.
Quandre Diggs greets former Lions teammate Austin Bryant after the game. Diggs played in Detroit prior to joining the Seahawks.
Quarterback Geno Smith hugs head coach Pete Carroll in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith brings the team up in the locker room after the game.
