Seahawks' Sunday Night Struggle and Its Implications
No. 1 – Seahawks' Playoff Hopes Dashed
It's difficult to overlook the significance of this loss. The Los Angeles Rams, with their frustrating winning streak, now hold an 8 - 6 record, which is the same as the Seahawks. Due to the Rams' Week 9 victory over Seattle, they move into first place by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker. This means the Seahawks are completely out of the playoff picture at 8 - 6. Unless there is a major collapse by the Washington Commanders, winning the NFC West outright seems to be their only viable path to the playoffs. But to achieve this, they will have to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, a game that could determine the division crown.
Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) walks off the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig - Imagn Images. This loss has significant consequences for the Seahawks' playoff aspirations.
No. 2 – Sam Howell's Performance Under Scrutiny
Sam Howell was thrust into action with the Seahawks down 17 points to the Packers, a challenging situation. In the postgame press conference, Howell acknowledged his responsibility to be ready at a moment's notice. However, his performance did not meet expectations. The former Commanders starter completed only 5 out of 14 passes for 24 yards, took four sacks, and threw an interception that was visible from Bellevue. While some may be frustrated with Geno Smith, this loss serves as a painful reminder of the risks associated with changing quarterbacks.
Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) during fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson - Imagn Images. Howell's struggles on the field are a cause for concern.
No. 3 – Seahawks' Struggle Against Top NFL Teams
Despite having a 8 - 6 record, a closer look reveals a more challenging reality. Four of the Seahawks' six losses have come against teams currently in playoff positions. Detroit, Buffalo, and Green Bay all delivered blowout losses to Seattle. The only exception was the Rams, who now hold first place. The Seahawks were on a four-game winning streak before Sunday night, but they failed miserably against tough opponents like San Francisco, Arizona, and the New York Jets. This shows that there is still a significant gap between the Seahawks and the top teams in the NFL.
Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) intercepts a pass against Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson - Imagn Images. The Seahawks' performance against top teams highlights their need for improvement.
No. 4 – Offensive Line's Disappointing Performance
The Seahawks' offensive line showed promise against the Cardinals and held up well during their four-game winning streak. However, against the Packers, their performance took a turn for the worse. Overall, the offensive line allowed seven sacks and 12 total quarterback hits, including one that knocked Geno Smith out of the game with a knee injury. The success of the Seahawks will depend on the performance of their offensive line, and if they can't hold up against playoff-caliber teams, their season could end prematurely, whether they make the playoffs or not.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 15: Brenton Cox Jr. #57 of the Green Bay Packers sacks Sam Howell #6 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images). The offensive line's struggles had a significant impact on the game.
No. 5 – Green Bay Packers' Dominance
The reputation of the 12th Man has taken a hit this year. The once deafening roar of the 12's was overshadowed by the chants of "GO PACK GO" from the visiting fans. Opposing fanbases invading Lumen Field has become a common occurrence, and the Green Bay Packers' fans were particularly vocal. Green Bay is one of the prominent national brands in the NFL, and their fans were everywhere. This led to a cheddar invasion, taking away the home field advantage from the Seahawks. Even last year, the Steelers took over, and now the Vikings will be coming to town in the next game.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 15: Green Bay Packers fans celebrate after a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images). The Packers' fans' presence had a major impact on the atmosphere.
It was a tough night for the 12th Man on the 40th anniversary of No. 12 being retired. Following the Bills Mafia invasion, an open letter was written to the 12th Man about the situation. The reality lived up to the worst fears, leaving the Seahawks with a lot to think about.