Quick Reaction: Seahawks Fight Off The Run In Their Loss To The Steelers
The Steelers, who are also vying for a postseason place, were able to come into Lumen Field and record a 30-23 victory, which severely damaged the Seahawks’ prospects of making the playoffs. The Seahawks entered Sunday’s game against the Steelers having won two straight to go right back in the NFC playoff race.
With one game remaining in the regular season, the Seahawks’ record plummeted to 8-8 following their loss. Here are five quick responses to the news:
The Seahawks came into their Week 17 game against the Steelers in control of their playoff destiny, knowing that if they won their final two games, they were in the postseason. Now, having fallen to 8-8, things get a lot more complicated for the Seahawks.
Seattle can still make the playoffs with a win in Arizona next week, but it isn’t going to be a simple win-and-in scenario. Instead, with a big crowd of NFC teams clumped together with eight or nine wins heading into the final week, the Seahawks will need a win over the Cardinals and some help to get back to the postseason for the 11th time in 14 seasons under Pete Carroll and John Schneider.
2. The worst conceivable moment marked the end of Seattle’s run without a turnover.
The Seahawks’ ability to play flawless football has been a major reason in their victories in their last two games. Against the club that entered the game tied for the league lead in turnover differential, they went more than three quarters without committing a turnover. However, Nick Herbig made a breakthrough in the fourth quarter with Pittsburgh’s first sack of the game, forcing a fumble that the Steelers recovered at Seattle’s 16-yard line. The Seahawks had managed to contain 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt and the rest of the Steelers pass-rush for the majority of the game.
4. There was an issue with the Steelers’ rushing attack.
The Seahawks have been surrendering more yards on the ground than they would have liked, despite their recent success in stopping explosive plays. And the Steelers, led by Najee Harris, had great success running the ball when they visited Seattle on Sunday. The game’s first score came from an 18-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren, who also gained 75 yards on 13 carries. Harris, a powerful 242-pound back, raced for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
Making matters worse for the Seahawks defense, the Steelers were also able to hit several big plays through the air, including completions of 42, 37, 25 and 24 yards, a change after the Seahawks went two straight games without giving up a completion of 20 or more yards.
4. There was an issue with the Steelers’ rushing attack.
The Seahawks have been surrendering more yards on the ground than they would have liked, despite their recent success in stopping explosive plays. And the Steelers, led by Najee Harris, had great success running the ball when they visited Seattle on Sunday. The game’s first score came from an 18-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren, who also gained 75 yards on 13 carries. Harris, a powerful 242-pound back, raced for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
