SEATTLE — Given the chance for some extra heroics within the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Geno Smith was almost flawless.
Not as soon as, however twice, as he helped the Seahawks to a victory that saved them atop the NFC West.
Smith led a pair of scoring drives late within the fourth quarter, the second resulting in Jason Myers’ 43-yard area objective as time expired, and Seattle held off the Washington Commanders 29-26 on Sunday.
Smith and Washington QB Sam Howell traded large throws and landing passes within the closing minutes, nevertheless it was Smith who had the ultimate likelihood on the victory and got here via.
It was the third time this season Smith has led a successful drive within the fourth quarter or additional time.
“I think it was a beautiful illustration of everybody did right down the stretch,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll mentioned. “That’s all we ever hope to do when we talk about finishing is everybody just keep doing stuff that’s right and outlast them and have the chance to win even if it takes us to the last play of the game.”
Seattle (6-3) remained tied with San Francisco for the division lead, and it was an vital rebound effort after Baltimore handed the Seahawks a 34-point setback final week, the second-worst lack of Carroll’s tenure.
“Felt like we did a lot of uncharacteristic things in that last game,” Smith mentioned. “It was important for us to kind of get back to who we are today and I felt like we did that.”
Smith was 31 of 47 for a career-high 369 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He hit Tyler Lockett for a 5-yard TD with 3:47 remaining, which gave the impression to be the decisive rating on the time.
Smith accomplished 9 of 11 passes on Seattle’s ultimate two possessions, and he related with Kenneth Walker III on a 64-yard catch-and-run landing within the third quarter, the longest play from scrimmage this season for the Seahawks. Smith additionally didn’t flip the ball over for the primary time since Week 4. Metcalf had seven catches for 98 yards and Lockett had eight catches for 92 yards.
“Geno did a great job of going through his reads, taking what the defense gave him, not trying to be too aggressive, but knowing when to take his shots,” Lockett mentioned.
Along with the game-winner, Myers made area objectives from 45 (twice), 42 and 33 yards. Myers has made 17 of his final 18 field-goal makes an attempt after beginning the season 3 of 6.
Howell and the Commanders did their half in attempting handy Seattle a second straight loss.
Howell pulled Washington even at 26-26 on a 35-yard landing move to Dyami Brown with 52 seconds remaining. Smith took over and made a pair of huge throws to DK Metcalf: a 17-yard strike on third-and-4 and a 27-yard move to the Washington 25. Smith spiked the ball with 3 seconds left and Myers concluded his good day for Seattle.
“Not just five field goals but five field goals under pressure,” Carroll mentioned. “He made some pressure kicks today.”
Howell completed 29 of 44 for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally threw a 51-yard TD move to working again Brian Robinson Jr. on the fourth play of the sport and hit Antonio Gibson for a 19-yard TD with 8 minutes left that tied the sport at 19-all.
He was even higher on Washington’s ultimate drive.
Howell transformed a fourth-and-1 on the Seattle 43 with an 8-yard move to Terry McLaurin. Three performs later, on third-and-10, Howell dropped a move over the arms of defenders Jordyn Brooks and Devon Witherspoon and into the fingers of Brown, who sprinted untouched for the tying rating. It was Brown’s first landing of the season.
Robinson had six catches for 119 yards for Washington, which struggled to get a floor sport going. The Commanders had simply 68 yards on 14 carries.
“We made some plays down the stretch, but we’ve got to be better throughout the game to beat good teams like that,” Howell mentioned.
SACK ATTACK
Seattle edge rusher Boye Mafe recorded a sack in his seventh consecutive sport, setting a franchise document. Mafe was tied with Michael Sinclair with sacks in six straight video games, however Sinclair achieved his mark throughout two seasons. Mafe received the sack early within the second half on a third-and-10 for Washington.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams additionally picked up his first sack in his two video games with the Seahawks when he corralled Howell within the first half.
EARLY EXIT
Washington first-round decide Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Lockett within the first quarter.
Forbes hit Lockett as he tried to catch a throw from Smith on a crossing route. Lockett was down on the sphere momentarily and was attended to by a coach. Lockett walked off the sphere for additional examination and was cleared to return to the sport.
Forbes was the sixteenth general decide within the draft out of Mississippi State. He was benched final month after struggling badly in his first few video games.
UP NEXT
Commanders: Host the New York Giants subsequent Sunday.
Seahawks: At the Los Angeles Rams subsequent Sunday.
