ATLANTA—The Seahawks arrived in Atlanta having lost three consecutive games, and they took the field Sunday minus two of their top three cornerbacks, one starting safety, and with a rookie making his first career start at right tackle, hardly an ideal situation to be in going into a road game against a Falcons squad that had won three in a row.
They finished their afternoon with "Sea-Hawks!" chants echoing through an otherwise almost empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the clock wound down on a 34-14 Seahawks victory.
If the Seahawks were supposed to be unable to overcome their recent struggles and continued injuries, well then somebody forgot to tell them, because the Seahawks responded to the first real dose of adversity in the Mike Macdonald era with their most impressive performance of the season.
"Our guys are determined," Macdonald said. "We grew as a football team this week, and now we have to keep it going. We have to keep stacking these days, keep stacking our prep, take what we need to learn from this game and keep moving forward. It's still early in the season, but it's great to get back in the win column for sure."
For the Seahawks, Sunday's win was built on the foundation of what players and Macdonald felt was a strong week of preparation, beginning with a meeting on Monday to get to the root of what was ailing the team while also highlighting a lot of the good that had taken place on the way to a 3-3 record.
"Just proud of our guys," Macdonald said. "We said the message after the game was, team win. I felt like we earned the win on our preparation Monday through Saturday. It was probably our best week of prep, guys were locked in. Traveling east, 10 a.m. game our time, having energy, the focus, the togetherness, all the stuff we needed in order for us to win, we did."
Said safety Julian Love, "We had a great week of practice. It's not lip-service. It's being attentive to details. We had an extra day, so Monday, then Wednesday we got after it, Thursday we got after, and it all works together. We're just trying to find our flow, we're trying to find our identity as a team. Today was kind of an example of that—offense taking care of the ball, defense getting the ball, being stout, bend, don't break sometimes on defense. On offense, they have those explosive plays they can make at any moment, it all worked together.
"It started with Mike and started with our leaders, just addressing it, 'Hey, we're here. We know what we do well, we know what we're not doing well, let's try to address it. But understand that we're doing things well.' It felt like the end of the world I know for some people, losing a few games in a row, but we do a lot of good things, so it was just correcting and trying to improve on the bad things, and then keep being the attacking style team we can be. So I really appreciate how he approached it. He said exactly what it was, and when you see that in black and white, you can attack it."
A common refrain from Macdonald and players after the game was that the team played complementary football, and for good reason. Seattle's offense set the tone early, scoring 17 first-half points to build a 10-point halftime lead, with Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III leading the way.
Seattle's defense then took advantage of playing from ahead, doing some of the things that unit hasn't been able to with the Seahawks playing from behind in recent weeks, namely taking advantage of a team in obvious passing situations, getting after the quarterback and creating turnovers.
Following a three-turnover game in the season opener, the Seahawks had just one takeaway in their next five games, but on Sunday with Kirk Cousins having to throw, the defense ended that drought in a big way. First, Boye Mafe sacked Cousins in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble that Derick Hall returned for a score, then Love and safety Coby Bryant both added interceptions later in the quarter.
"It's awesome to get a win," said Smith. "Any win in this league is going to be tough. The Falcons have a really good team, and I thought we came out and we played very hungry today from the start to the finish. Like I said, man, you don't want to put emphasis on the prior weeks, but it was tough. It was very easy for everyone to be negative after losing three games, but I thought, like I said, the energy was spectacular. I thought everyone had the right mindset. I thought everyone was positive, and I think that bled into the game, and it allowed us to start fast and then continue to have that confidence throughout."
After facing some adversity, the Seahawks responded with their best win of the season. Now the plan is to keep getting better.
"It was inevitable that (adversity) would happen, so you want to see a rebound," Love said. "We're still learning how to win as a team… We're still building, we're still learning who we are as a team."
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.
