FINAL: Jason Meyers' Game-Winning Field Goal Sees Seattle Seahawks Defeat Commanders 29-26
Following a cross-country road trip that ended in complete embarrassment, the Seattle Seahawks will look to get back to their winning ways inside Lumen Field as they host the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
After rebounding from their upset Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and winning five of their next six games, the Baltimore Ravens completely dismantled the Seahawks 37-3 in Week 9. Many of the concerns that appeared in their close wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns spanned pretty much the entirety of the game in Baltimore.
The Seahawks struggled to convert on third down, had faulty pass protection, turnovers, and even failed to stop the run despite the team’s recent trade for Leonard Williams before the league's deadline.
All of those issues had piled onto Seattle in the span of four quarters. This was unlike the games before, where it was usually just one problem at a time.
In all facets, it was a look-in-the-mirror type of performance for the Seahawks, and one they hope to soon put in the past with a win over Washington. Despite losing five of their past seven games, the Commanders gathered momentum with a 20-17 win over the New England Patriots last Sunday.
The win over New England was in large part thanks to standout second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who, despite being under constant duress this season with a league-high 44 sacks taken, threw for over 300 yards for the third time this season. He completed 29 of his 45 passes with a touchdown and an interception.
After hiring long-time former Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bienemy to be their offensive coordinator, Howell and the Commanders' passing game has been a bright spot in an otherwise struggling offense. Per TeamRankings, the Commanders' passing attack ranks No. 9 in yards per game, and they throw the ball at the highest rate in the league. Contrastingly, Washington’s ground game ranks near the bottom of the league, as its 90.1 rushing yards per game ranks 26th-worst.
Stopping Howell and the Commanders' passing game, which features Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, will be of the utmost importance for a Seahawks team looking for a rebound performance.
First Quarter
The Commanders made quick work of the Seahawks scoring in four plays as an under-pressure Sam Howell found his running back Brian Robinson Jr., for a 51-yard touchdown pass.
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS
Commanders 6, Seahawks 0
Change of Possession
The Seahawks started off the drive hot as Smith found twice for gains of 10 and 20 yards as Seattle got into Commanders' territory. However, even after an unnecessary roughness penalty, the Seahawks were held to a 45-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Commanders 6, Seahawks 3
Change of Possession
After a 13-yard pass to Terry McLaurin moved the chains on second-down, the Seahawks defense stood tall as they forced a punt after a third-down pass to Antonio Gibson was held for a gain of three yards.
Change of Possession
A seven-yard run for Kenneth Walker and a three-yard completion to D.K. Metcalf got the Seahawks a first-down. However, an incomplete pass on third-and-five intended for Metcalf forced them to punt.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
The Seahawks defense is able to hold the Commanders to a field goal after a 10-play drive where Washington relied heavily on Howell and the passing game. The second-year quarterback completed six of his seven passes for 35 yards before Joey Slye made his 49-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS
Commanders 9, Seahawks 3
Change of Possession
The Seahawks were once again held to a field goal as Smith's third-down pass intended for Metcalf fell incomplete. Prior to the third-down pass, Smith completed four of his seven throws. Jason Meyers cut the deficit to three points with a 43-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Commanders 9, Seahawks 6
Change of Possession
The Commanders suffered a three-and-out as Howell's second-down completion to Curtis Samuel was the only positive play of drive before he was sacked on third-down.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks followed it up with a three-and-out of their own, as the only positive play was a five-yard run from Walker.
Change of Possession
The Commanders suffered another three-and-out after a solid start to the drive as Howell found Robinson for five yards before a two-yard run on second. However, Howell's pass on third-down fell incomplete.
Change of Possession
A long 10-play drive ended with a field goal as the Seahawks settled for a 33-yard field goal. Smith completed three of his four passes on the drive for 21 yards as he also added 13 yards with a run.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Commanders 9, Seahawks 9
Change of Possession
Despite completing both of his first two passes, Howell couldn't find anyone on third-down forcing another three-and-out punt.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks got into field goal range as Smith completed three passes for 31 yards before an intentional grounding penalty on second-down saw the end of the first half due to the mandatory 10-second run-off.
Third Quarter
A sack followed up two straight runs from Walker on third-down as Smith stepped up into a crowded pocket.
Change of Possession
Howell created on the move once again, as he found Robinson again out of the backfield, this time for 49 yards. However, after the big play two straight incompletions and a sack held Washington to a 47 field goal.
FIELD GOAL COMMANDERS
Commanders 12, Seahawks 9
Change of Possession
Seattle's responding drive didn't last long, after Smith found Metcalf for a gain of 11 yards, Walker took a first-down run 64 yards for a quick score.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 16, Commanders 12
Change of Possession
A 15-yard scramble from Howell turned into a big play for the Seahawks as Devon Witherspoon knocked the ball loose for a fumble.
Change of Possession
The Seahawks' offense couldn't take advantage of the takeaway as they suffered a three-and-out, despite Smith finding Smith-Njigba for a big 14-yard gain following an offensive holding penalty that backed them up on first-down.
Change of Possession
A long nine-play drive for the Commanders ends with a punt as the Seahawks defense closed in on Howell with a sack on second-down forcing them into a third-and-long.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Seahawks relied on their ground game as Charbonnet had three carries for 31 yards as the rookie running back helped Seattle settle for a 45-yard field goal to extend their lead.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 19, Commanders 12
Change of Possession
The Commanders turned around and did the same, calling on their run game which totaled 34 yards on four straight runs, before three of his next four passes which included a 19-yard touchdown to Antonio Gibson.
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS
Commanders 19, Seahawks 19
Change of Possession
Smith completed all five of his passes for 50 yards as he capped off a long 10-play drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett.
TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS
Seahawks 26, Commanders 19
Change of Possession
The Commanders were able to pull even as Howell drove them down the field on a 10-play drive, completing five of his nine passes including a game-tying 35-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown.
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS
Seahawks 26, Commanders 26
Change of Possession
With just two timeouts to work with Smith led the Seahawks 50 yards in seven plays to set up the game-winning 43-yard field goal. Smith completed four of his five passes for 50 yards before spiking the ball to give Meyers the chance at the game-winning field goal.
FIELD GOAL SEAHAWKS
FINAL: Seahawks 29, Commanders 26
