Seahawks' Pete Carroll Details Geno Smith's 'Classic Drive' vs. Lions
The Seattle Seahawks were humbled in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in a 30-13 loss, and a week is a long time to dwell on that kind of result.
Coming into hostile territory against a Detroit Lions team fresh off a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seahawks were walking into a perfect storm this past Sunday, but it was one that weathered in a stunning overtime win.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was full of praise for how Geno Smith bounced back after the poor Week 1 outing.
“I thought Geno (Smith) played great," Carroll said. "I thought Geno played exactly like he’s been playing, like we counted on him coming out of last season as he has been throughout camp. I don’t think he got off to a great start in the first game, but he was everything we wanted him to be.”
In a game that saw both teams go punch for punch in a high-scoring affair, it was the Seahawks who managed to escape Ford Field with a win.
© Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press
Smith completed 32 of his 41 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns and took charge of the situation in overtime as Seattle got the ball first and never looked back.
Smith led a 10-play, 75-yard drive (converted two third downs) that ended with a game-winning Tyler Lockett touchdown grab from six yards out.
To say Carroll was pleased with how Smith handled the situation is an understatement.
“He had a really good game going, and then we go into OT (overtime), and he takes us right down the field," Carroll said. "It was a classic drive, beautiful execution, timing was great, total confidence, didn’t waver. He was very much in the moment. I hope we just take the next step, come back next week, and get a good, solid game again, and start stacking them. He’s shown us that. It’s not a surprise, I’m just glad to see he was so comfortable in the moment as difficult as it could have been."
The win for Seattle got its season back on track after a wobbly start, but now, attention turns to the Carolina Panthers. The Seahawks will look to build on what was a great win, as Smith showed the Pro Bowler in him is still there by leading a superb drive in overtime.
Now, he has to back it up and go again on Sunday.
