Third-Down Issues Haunt Seattle Seahawks in Blowout Loss to Baltimore Ravens
In a game that was seen as a litmus test of where the Seattle Seahawks stood this season, the 37-3 beatdown handed to them by the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday was eye-opening.
The Seahawks offense ranked 24th for third-down conversions coming into the game. They certainly didn't do themselves any favors as they managed to convert just one of 12 attempts, as often drives failed on the most important down in football.
In total, the suffocating Ravens defense that was ranked first for points allowed this season (just 15.1 points per game) allowed only three while holding the Seattle offense to just 151 total yards and 3.2 yards per play.
Additionally, Geno Smith was sacked four times and threw yet another interception as the turnovers are starting to creep into his game of late. He now has six interceptions in his last three games.
The Seattle offense only converted one third down against the Ravens.
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The Seahawks were in a confident mood heading into this game, but they ran into a buzzsaw as the Ravens tore them apart and made life incredibly difficult.
There was one bright spot, though, as rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his good form of late. The former Ohio State Buckeye caught six passes for 63 yards as he and DK Metcalf (one catch, 50 yards) and Tyler Lockett (three catches, 32 yards) were the only ones who showed any resistance.
In a game where the Seahawks had a chance to show their credentials, they simply didn't fire a shot, and perhaps one of their biggest issues came to light at the most inopportune time.
