Seahawks Can't Keep Up With Steelers As Winning Streak Ends
Any loss is devastating for a team fighting for its playoff life, and the Seattle Seahawks found that out firsthand with a 30-23 home defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Like many other games this season, the Seahawks' porous defense reared its ugly head once again. The Steelers came into the game ranked 26th in total offense, but gashed the Seahawks' defense to the tune of 468 total yards, a season-high for Pittsburgh.
In another running trend (pun intended), many of the yards Seattle gave up came on the ground. Pittsburgh finished the game with 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per attempt as both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren had big days.
Jaylen Warren
© Steven Bisig, USA TODAY
At almost all times, the Steelers just seemed to be one step ahead of the Seahawks, as Seattle led for less than four minutes of game time. Still, the Seahawks were able to keep it close for most of the game, but their comeback hopes took a massive hit once the Steelers got a strip sack on Geno Smith in Seattle territory.
The Seahawks were able to limit them to just a field goal and scored a field goal of their own in response, but it was too little, too late.
Smith completed 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown. Running back Kenneth Walker III had 10 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown and receiver D.K. Metcalf added 106 yards on five receptions.
For the Steelers, Mason Rudolph completed 18 of 24 passes for 274 yards, while George Pickens led the way in receiving with seven receptions for 131 yards.
Seattle now falls to 8-8 on the season and desperately needs a win in next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals to preserve any playoff hope.
