Photo Credit: ESPN
It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but nonetheless, it was an entertaining football game. The Seattle Seahawks lost 38-35 in a shootout to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Seahawks fall to 3-2, while the Buccaneers improve to 4-1 on the season.
The Seattle offense looked great, Sam Darnold was lights out and played his best game as a Seahawk so far, throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 132 yards and one touchdown. AJ Barner had seven catches for 53 yards and two TDs, and while he didn’t post eye-popping numbers, Kenneth Walker looked as dynamic as ever, with multiple big runs, finishing the game with 86 yards on 10 carries. The Seahawks scored touchdowns on five straight drives, including a 99 yard drive in the fourth quarter.
Just by looking at the box score, you would have thought the Seahawks won this game, but the Buccaneers played exceptionally well too. Like I mentioned in my preview, the Seahawks’ secondary was super banged up heading into this game, and the injury list piled up even more during it. Tariq Woolen exited the game in the second half with a concussion, and edge rusher Derrick Hall left the game and was ruled out almost immediately in the first quarter.
Baker Mayfield took advantage of Seattle’s depleted defense, as he had tons of time to throw and was delivering absolute bullets. Mayfield finished the game completing 29 of 33 passes for two touchdowns. Star rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka continued to shine, finishing the day with seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Looking at the final score, you could say that Jason Myers’ missed field goal in the fourth quarter was the difference, and it did turn out to be a huge miss. Or Jalen Milroe’s fumble in Tampa Bay territory. (I’d assume that’s the last of the Milroe package we see for a while.) Seattle was up seven with three and a half minutes left, and Baker Mayfield drove down the field with ease going 70 yards in just five plays to tie the game. Then, Sam Darnold’s throwaway attempt went off a defender’s helmet and was intercepted by Lavonte David.
It was definitely a winnable game,it just didn’t go Seattle’s way. The Seahawks shot themselves in the foot early with penalties taking away big plays. But they bounced back. I will say, though, I’d be more concerned if Seattle lost a game where the offense struggled, as opposed to the defense. We all know what this defense can do when healthy. Yesterday was the Seahawks’ first game all season giving up more than 20 points. Now it’s just a matter of getting healthy.
There were a lot of positives on the offense, so I hope Seahawks fans aren’t dwelling on the loss too much. The Seahawks will look to get back in the win column next week against the Jaguars.
