Seahawks

 

Seahawks Put Together Another Game-Winning Drive

NASHVILLE—For the second straight week, the Seahawks needed some late-game heroics to get a win and keep their playoff hopes alive, and for the second straight game, the offense came through with a winning drive.

After Drew Lock led the comeback last week, it was Geno Smith, back from a two-game absence, leading the offense on the winning drive this time around, and in the end the Seahawks escaped with a 20-17 win over the Titans.

With the win, the Seahawks improved to 8-7, and thanks to Detroit's win over Minnesota, the Seahawks now control their own playoff destiny.

Here are five rapid reactions to the Seahawks' Christmas Eve victory over the Titans:

Seahawks shock Eagles behind Drew Lock's game-winning drive to snap 4-game losing streak

The  Seattle Seahawks shocked the Philadelphia Eagles, snapping their four-game losing streak with a 20-17 victory on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. 

Seattle desperately needed a victory, and after forcing a punt from the Eagles, quarterback Drew Lock, getting his second straight start for the injured Geno Smith, had 1:52 to go 92 yards to win it. 

What ensued was the longest touchdown drive of the Seahawks season – one they desperately needed to stay in the playoff race. 

Julian Love #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with teammates  after an interception in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

There were moments where the Eagles' defense could’ve picked Lock off, but Lock made them pay when he delivered a beautiful ball down the right sideline to D.K. Metcalf, where he snagged it over two defenders for a 34-yard completion on third-and-10 that put the Seahawks in Eagles territory. 

A few plays later, Lock once again delivered a ball down the right sideline to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 29-yard touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 20-17 lead. 

With 28 seconds still left in the game, and the Eagles owning three timeouts, Jalen Hurts had a chance to get Jake Elliott in field goal range to send the game to overtime. 

But safety Julian Love, who already had an interception on a deep ball earlier in the second half, sprinted across the field on a pass intended for A.J. Brown and made an outstanding pick, where he somehow kept both feet in bounds. 

That would’ve given Elliott more than enough yards to make a field goal. Instead, it gave the Seahawks a much-needed win. 

Seattle improved to 7-7 on the year, snapping that four-game skid, while the Eagles remain in their own three-game rut. Philadelphia is now 10-4 on the year. 

Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

It was an interesting quarterback situation for both teams, to say the least, heading into this Monday night matchup. 

Jalen Hurts traveled separately from his Eagles teammates due to flu-like symptoms getting worse on Sunday, per an ESPN report. Then, while Drew Lock was getting first-team reps all week for the Seahawks, Geno Smith worked out pre-game and was active. 

However, it was Lock that eventually started this game.

While Hurts did suit up for his squad, it was unknown how he would play considering his sickness. But, like we've seen from others in professional sports, a "flu game" sometimes can bring out some pretty solid play.  

That's what the theme appeared to be for the Eagles on its first drive of the game, where Hurts orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that was capped by him diving over the goal line on a designed run for the first six points of the contest. 

It was the 13th rushing touchdown for Hurts, and where most of them have come from the "Brotherly Shove" this season, this was a three-yard sprint to the left side of the end zone.

Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass in the first half at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.  (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

But don’t worry, the Eagles brought out their signature play later in the game. 

In the third quarter, D’Andre Swift tripped over center Jason Kelce to land at the one-yard line, and everyone at Lumen Field knew what call was coming next. Hurts was shoved over the goal line for another rushing touchdown. 

Earlier in the first half, the Eagles looked like they were going to push Hurts again, but Kelce was called for a false start after moving the ball forward from its spot at the line of scrimmage. That led to a Jake Elliott field goal instead after the Eagles couldn’t convert on third down. 

Despite the Eagles owning most of the time of possession to start this game, a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive changed all that in the second half. 

After forcing a three-and-out on the Eagles, the Seahawks got the ball right back and finally got momentum going their way. A lot of that had to do with running back Kenneth Walker III. 

The Seahawks went to their veteran back, who ran and caught his way down the field, touching the ball on five of the nine plays, including the 23-yard rush for the score. It was Walker’s first rushing touchdown since Week 6 this season.   

1. Geno Smith and the offense came alive in the second half.

Facing a tough Titans defense, the Seahawks couldn't get much going on offense early on, punting three times in the first half while getting one field goal. A promising drive to open the third quarter stalled out in the red zone, leading to another short field goal, but late in the game Geno Smith, back after a two-game absence, and the rest of the offense got going.

Late in the third quarter, the Seahawks were pinned at their own 4-yard line, but put together a season-best 96-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, hitting DK Metcalf for an 11-yard touchdown to finish. After the Titans answered with a touchdown of their own to back ahead, Smith led a 14-play 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson.

On that final drive, Smith went 7 for 10 for 57 yards and a touchdown, including an 18-yard completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba on third-and-14.

he  Seahawks stunned the Eagles on Monday night, handing Philadelphia its third straight loss after  Drew Lock pioneered a miraculous go-ahead drive during the final minutes of the game.

Lock marched Seattle’s offense downfield 92 yards, courtesy of a pair of sensational catches from  DK Metcalf, before finding rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

After being held to just three points in the first half, the resilient Seahawks rallied around their backup quarterback, who kept his composure in crunch time with the game on the line.

A jaw-dropping interception from 

Julian Love closed the door on a last-second Eagles comeback, capping off the incredible victory for Seattle.

2. The receiver trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba all came through in big moments.

When the Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round, it gave the Seahawks one of the best receiving trios in the league, and the trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Smith-Njigba all had big moments to lead the Seahawks' offense late in the game.

Lockett led the way with eight catches for 81 yards, including three catches on the final drive, while Metcalf turned in a spectacular touchdown drive, as well as a hurdle to set up a field goal in the first half, and finished with 56 yards on six catches. Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, had 61 yards on six catches, including a 20-yarder to kick off the 96-yard drive, and the aforementioned 18-yard catch on third-and-14 on the game-winning drive.