The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans faced off in Week 16, and the Seahawks extended their win streak to two. The win came in comeback fashion, with Geno Smith leading yet another game-winning drive.
The win put Seattle in the driver’s seat for a Wild Card playoff spot, as they now hold the seventh seed in the NFC. What else happened in the win?
Geno Smith Leads Another Comeback Win
The game started slow, with neither team scoring points in the first quarter. The second quarter went the Titans way, though, going into halftime with a 10-3 lead. The second half, especially the fourth quarter, was all Seattle, though, out-scoring the Titans 17-3.
The Seahawks’ final two drives of the game both resulted in Smith passing touchdowns, one to DK Metcalf and the other to Colby Parkinson. The Titans got the ball back down three with 57 seconds remaining but failed to get into field goal range before the time ran out.
Smith’s day was strong, passing for 227 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Things started slow, but his strong finish earned him a good day and his team a victory. This was his first start since Week 13, when he got hurt against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Seahawks run game was led by Kenneth Walker III, who had 54 yards on 16 carries. Receiving-wise, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Metcalf were the main three targets. Lockett caught eight passes for 81 yards, Smith-Njigba caught six for 61, and Metcalf caught four for 56 yards and a touchdown.
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On the season as a whole, Smith has passed for 3,145 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has six go-ahead touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime this season, including two in the Seahawks win in Week 16. He has four game-winning drives, leading the NFL.
Geno to Parkinson! These @Seahawks don't quit.
📺: #SEAvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB pic.twitter.com/iAqPo3F4VM— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
“We executed beautifully in that situation where you gotta wait and be patient to make plays, and Geno did a great job,” said head coach Pete Carroll. “Team effort. It took all the guys,” said Smith. “We found a way to win.”
Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Seahawks prior to 2023. The contract came with $40 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $25 million. He rejuvenated his career in 2022 after having been a backup since his time ended with the New York Jets in 2016.
The Seahawks still have no room for error if they want to make the playoffs. They will face the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals in their final two games of 2023. The Titans, on the other hand, are eliminated from playoff contention. With the loss, they hold the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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