Seahawks QB Geno Smith Leads Team to Victory Over Titans, Securing Playoff Hopes

In a thrilling game, Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Geno Smith played a crucial role in securing a 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. This win helped the Seahawks maintain their playoff hopes, as they grabbed the No. 7 seed in the NFC.

Smith’s performance was nothing short of impressive, as he marched the team 75 yards on 14 plays in the final moments of the game, resulting in a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson. This marked Smith’s 14th game-winning drive in his career and the fourth this season. Despite a sluggish first half, Smith managed to complete 25 out of 36 passes for 227 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, achieving a 104.7 passer rating.

Smith’s ability to throw effectively on the perimeter was particularly noteworthy. According to Next Gen Stats, he targeted receivers outside the numbers on 58.3% of his attempts, which was his second-highest rate in a game this season. He completed 14 out of 21 attempts for 117 yards and two touchdowns on throws outside the numbers.

Despite the Titans being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they displayed a sense of urgency in the early stages of the game. They executed trick plays, and quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who returned to the lineup after rookie QB Will Levis suffered a high ankle sprain, utilized his mobility to add an extra dimension to the offense.

However, the Seahawks managed to hold the Titans to just 49 rushing yards in the second half, sacking Tannehill seven times during the game. This included two sacks on the final drive, which prevented the Titans from scoring.

Seattle’s defense struggled to stop the run, as they allowed at least 135 rushing yards in five consecutive games. The Titans managed to accumulate 162 rushing yards in this game alone. However, the Seahawks improved their performance in the second half, focusing on their fits and tackling better.

The game-winning drive began with the Seahawks taking their first lead with just over 12 minutes remaining, resulting in a 96-yard scoring drive. This marked the longest drive of the season for the Seahawks. However, the Titans managed to score 17-13 on the ensuing drive, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks faced several penalties throughout the game, including a personal foul called on cornerback Artie Burns for punching a Tennessee player after the play was over near the goal line. Seattle currently leads the NFL in penalties, and head coach Pete Carroll acknowledged the need for improvement in this area.

Despite these challenges, the Seahawks managed to overcome their penalties and poor run defense, thanks to Smith’s efficient performance and solid pass-blocking by the offensive line in the final moments of the game.

The Seahawks have now won two games in a row after experiencing a four-game losing streak during their toughest stretch of the season. They are now in control of their playoff destiny, with two remaining games against Pittsburgh at home and at Arizona.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes and penalties as the team aims to finish the season strong. He believes that the lessons learned from their previous games against tough opponents will serve them well in the upcoming matches.

In conclusion, Geno Smith’s heroics in the final moments of the game against the Titans have kept the Seahawks’ playoff hopes alive. The team’s ability to overcome challenges and focus on improvement will be crucial as they strive to secure their place in the postseason.