The Seattle Seahawks are starting the season with an unexpected 1-0 record following their upset of the Denver Broncos. Seattle’s unlikely victory on Monday Night Football was fueled by many factors, including the phenomenal play of quarterback Geno Smith in the first half.
Under the lights of primetime Geno Smith shined the brightest. The Seahawks offense was cruising over a quality Broncos defense, scoring on three of their four possessions. It would have been a perfect four-for-four if it weren’t for a stuffed quarterback sneak on 4th down deep in Denver’s red zone.
Smith started the game with 13-straight completions and finished the first half completing 17-of-18 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the offensive output of the night ended right there.
Denver’s defense clamped down and actually shut the Seahawks out in the final two quarters. The Broncos could very easily have left town with a victory – the Seahawks’ second-half struggles on offense being the biggest reason why.
“Yeah, we got to be better in the second half,” Smith said after the win. “You know, that’s all I was thinking about honestly. It’s like, I felt like in the second half . . . obviously their defense, give credit to their defense. They stood up and played well. We’ve got to finish games better.”
The Seahawks’ bacon was truly saved by their own defense, who forced two fumbles on the goal line in consecutive Denver possessions. Seattle also caught a break when Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett elected to kick a historically improbable field goal at the end which fell wide left.
“You know, it’s great to get a win, our defense went out and there did what they had to do,” Smith acknowledged. “But we could have put up more points and given ourselves even more of a cushion to have a better shot in that game.”
The Seahawks have a prime opportunity to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NFC West with a victory over the similarly, offensively-challenged 49ers. Not only would Seattle solidify its first-place status, but it would also send the Niners to an 0-2 hole to start the year. But if they’re going to accomplish this, the Seahawks will have to improve in the second half.
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