Final | Washington 17, Seahawks 15
5:15 p.m. | FedExField | Prince George’s County, Maryland
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Related Washington 17, Seahawks 15
Despite late touchdown drive, Seahawks fall to Washington
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — The late comeback that gave Seattle hope maybe even makes it feel all that much worse.
Dead in the water, the Seahawks drove 96 yards for a touchdown that set up a tying two-point play with 15 seconds left Monday night against the Washington Football Team.
But a Russell Wilson pass intended for Freddie Swain was picked off by Kendall Fuller.
Seattle thought maybe it had one more shot when Gavin Heslop made an unlikely recovery of the onside kick.
But Seattle was called for illegal formation, and a second attempt was recovered by WFT and the home team held on for a 17-15 win.
Three things we learned from the Seahawks’ abysmal 17-15 loss to Washington
Despite a late rally, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense again came up short in a 17-15 loss at Washington on Monday night.
The Seahawks have lost six of their last seven games and dropped to 3-8 overall.
Final: Washington 17, Seahawks 15
FINAL
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) November 30, 2021
Washington 1️⃣7️⃣
Seahawks 1️⃣5️⃣https://t.co/TrOtKZPZLM
Seahawks appear to recover onside kick ... but there's a penalty
Illegal formation derails the apparent onside recovery by Heslop.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks hit the touchdown ... but fail on two-point conversion
KENDALL FULLER.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
INT on the two-point attempt! #SEAvsWAS pic.twitter.com/8WbyFDBVVy
Washington touchdown on fourth down overturned ... and Seahawks have life
It's overturned. Seattle takes over at its own 3 with 2:19 to play and no time outs.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Was this a catch?
— PFF (@PFF) November 30, 2021
pic.twitter.com/SlsFYlqPPC
Washington converts fourth down
Heinicke with all day and a wide open receiver and that might have been the game and the season.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
On 4th and 4... CLUTCH from Heinicke.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
📺: #SEAvsWAS on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/2WYXwxxKrL pic.twitter.com/IlhLNwrmyT
Sad here to see McKissic being carted off. Good guy former Seahawk having a good season.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
WFT has no kicker so it will have to go for it here on fourth down.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
The Seahawks are once again punting
Seattle third and 10 and Wilson flushed and tries to run for it but gets just four. And another punt.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seattle with 31 yards on 17 plays in the second half.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
y i k e s
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) November 30, 2021
Should be shocking ... but, then, if you've been watching this team all season, nope, not shocking ... https://t.co/TD5aHal9TO
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) November 30, 2021
Rasheem Green playing a game helps Seattle get a third straight third and 1 stop.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Holding on Brandon Scherff and WFT will punt this time. https://t.co/Dkrq2C05Ea
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Third quarter impressions
Russ, Russ, Russ
We said it two weeks ago in Green Bay. We said it last week vs. Arizona. And we’ll say it again now:
Russ ain’t right.
And until he is, this Seahawks offense will continue to struggle.
The Seahawks have had five consecutive three-and-outs … and … just … man, what are they doing? This, without a doubt, is the worst stretch of offense the Seahawks have had during the Wilson era. It's ugly, and it's fair to wonder if it will get better any time soon.
Where’s DK?
This is getting absurd.
DK Metcalf had zero targets in the first half.
He still doesn’t have any catches through three quarters.
Metcalf’s first target didn’t come until the 4:31 mark of the third quarter, and that was basically a throwaway from Wilson — he didn’t even give Metcalf a chance on the throw that went over his head and out of bounds.
It shouldn’t be this difficult, should it? He is your best player — you have to get him the ball, somehow, someway.
McKissic’s revenge
In 19 games with the Seahawks from 2016-18, J.D. McKissic scored three total touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving).
He could match that total tonight against his old team.
McKissic has scored both of Washington’s touchdowns tonight, including a 10-yard run in the third quarter that gave WFT a 17-9 lead.
That, no doubt, is especially tough to see now considering how depleted the Seahawks backfield is. No Chris Carson. No Rashaad Penny. No Travis Homer.
Between Alex Collins (14 yards) and DeeJay Dallas (4 yards), the Seahawks have a total of 18 yards rushing on 10 carries through three quarters.
End of third: Washington 17, Seahawks 9
END OF THIRD
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) November 30, 2021
Washington 1️⃣7️⃣
Seahawks 9️⃣https://t.co/TrOtKZPZLM
Seahawks again punting back to Washington
Wilson sacked on a blitz on third down and Seattle will punt again. Seattle 2-9 on third downs.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Darrell Taylor, who is having one of his better games of late, with the stop. https://t.co/JoeZ7qyDkL
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks defense gets another key stop
Seahawks get another third and short stop on defense and crowd here boos some.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks punt back to Washington after third straight three-and-out
Wilson off target on third and four throw to Lockett and this is danger time for the Seahawks.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seattle has just 17 yards rushing on nine carries.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
First target of the night for DK Metcalf ... and Russ didn't even give him a chance. That was basically a throwaway.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) November 30, 2021
Wilson's first target to Metcalf comes with 4:25 to go in third quarter. Fade route down sideline that had little chance of success, and does, in fact, not succeed.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
WFT with a 22-4 edge in first downs despite not getting one there.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Washington goes three-and-out for first time since opening drive
Seahawks get a much needed third down stop there.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Watch DK Metcalf at the top of the screen pic.twitter.com/T51EFurJ8K
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 30, 2021
DK Metcalf without a target. Wilson throws to Eskridge on third down and it is incomplete.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
J.D. McKissic scores second touchdown as WFT converts 2-point attempt
The scoring play: Washington running back J.D. McKissic scores his second touchdown of the game, running up the middle for 10 yards. Then, RB Antonio Gibson scored a two-point conversion because WFT's kicker is hurt.
The drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 4:56.
The score: Washington 17, Seahawks 9.
WFT, forced to go for two, gets it and takes a 17-9 lead. And that's two straight 73-yard TD drives allowed by the Seahawks.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
WFT punter Tress Way practicing kicks out of holds of backup QB Kyle Allen with Joey Slye injured. But WFT appearing to go for two after scoring.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
TD number TWO for J.D. McKissic! #WashingtonFootball
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
📺: #SEAvsWAS on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/2WYXwxxKrL pic.twitter.com/rAbDx7tw3x
Seahawks go three-and-out in first possession of second half
The drive: Three plays, 5 yards, 1:34.
Next possession: Washington starts at 27.
Time left: 13:26 in 3Q.
Halftime impressions
Wilson finding his old form
This has been by far the best half of the five Russell Wilson has played since his return from a finger injury as he is 8-for-11 for 145 yards and a touchdown and a 145.1 passer rating.
Having played two games may have helped Wilson shake off the rust. Maybe he’s also feeling comfortable back at home playing 100 miles away from where he grew up in Richmond. Or maybe it’s just feeling good on his 33rd birthday.
Regardless, this looks more like the Wilson we have come to know for most of his 10-year career, firing passes both short and deep with confidence and also looking assured when throwing on the run.
And yep, Rasheem Green can move
So, in case you had forgotten, yep, blocked PATs can be returned for two points.
And Seattle got what is apparently its first return of a PAT for two points when Rasheem Green blocked Joey Slye’s kick and then picked it up and outraced everyone down the sideline for the 2-point play that tied the game.
It was Seattle’s first block of a PAT since Tre Flowers did it against Dallas on Sept. 27, 2020.
And it was also Seattle’s first points scored by a nonoffensive player this season
Making matters worse, Slye appeared to hurt his hamstring chasing Green.
Oh those penalties
Seattle has had one of its better penalty seasons under coach Pete Carroll with five or fewer in five of the last seven games and no more than six.
But the penalty bug reared its ugly head on WFT’s last drive as a pass interference on Ugo Amadi gave WFT a first down on what appeared to be a failed third down, and then another hold negated a hold on WFT, followed by a roughing-the-passer penalty on Green that helped move WFT to the Seattle 13 to set up a 10-yard TD pass from Taylor Heinicke to J.D. McKissic.
That gave Seattle four penalties for 36 yards in the half, all against the defense — the others an offsides penalty on Carlos Dunlap and a pass interference on Sidney Jones.
And Seattle could maybe feel it’s getting the short end of the penalty stick as WFT has zero.
Halftime: Seahawks 9, Washington 9
HALFTIME
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) November 30, 2021
Seahawks 9️⃣
Washington 9️⃣https://t.co/TrOtKZPZLM
Washington scores a TD ... but Seahawks block and return the two-point conversion??
Screen to McKissic and WFT takes advantage of the flags to take a 9-7 lead.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
And there's that....
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
PAT blocked by Green and then he gets the scoop and the long score. So, we're tied at 9.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Don't see that every day.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) November 30, 2021
Completion and a roughing penalty on Green. Three defensive penalties in three plays for Seattle.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
And the really late flag is revealed to be a holding call on Ugo Amadi, who was trying to cover Humphries. https://t.co/A8SGawEIgF
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Heinicke had Humphries open but throws a bad pass under pressure and Seattle appears to be getting off the field. But there's a flag.... https://t.co/D2NGjpklT3
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Darrell Taylor has been pretty active tonight and finally gets the sack. WFT with a third-and-9.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
... and Alex Collins gives it right back with a fumble
And Seattle gives it right back as Alex Collins fumbles and Freddie Swain can't control it.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Landon Collins with the punch out! @WashingtonNFL takes it right back. #WashingtonFootball
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
📺: #SEAvsWAS on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/2WYXwxxKrL pic.twitter.com/CuRMUzcvP9
Jamal Adams picks off Taylor Heinicke's tipped pass
The drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 6:03.
Next possession: Seahawks start on own 11.
Time left: 4:48 in 2Q.
Heinicke tried to hit Logan Thomas and Wagner and Diggs had double coverage and the ball popped in the air and Adams with his second pick of the season.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Wagner-Diggs-Adams ... Seahawks' three defensive stars all come through there.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) November 30, 2021
The @Seahawks safety duo forces the INT! @qdiggs6 @Prez
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
📺: #SEAvsWAS on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/2WYXwxxKrL pic.twitter.com/xljIHzrRFn
Dude gets better and better every week. Going to be an anchor for this defense very soon ... https://t.co/8ayu5AETD2
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) November 30, 2021
Seahawks' drive comes to end after four plays, pitch on third down
The drive: Four plays, 22 yards, 2:39.
Next possession: Washington starts on own 9.
Time left: 10:43 left in 2Q.
Third and 1 and the pitch to Dallas doesn't get it. Frustrating end to a promising start to that drive.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Bad snap but Wilson picks it up and throws it to Eskridge for his third career catch.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Washington can't respond, punts back to Seahawks
The drive: Five plays, 18 yards, 1:58.
Next possession: Seahawks start at own 14.
Time left: 13:22 in 2Q.
Seahawks seem to be better defending passes out of backfield so far this game.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
First quarter impressions
Happy birthday, Russ
Russell Wilson turns 33 today.
More important for the Seahawks is whether Wilson can turn things around after two subpar performances in his return from mallet finger.
Wilson missed badly on his first third-down pass attempt — a pass that sailed over the head of tight end Gerald Everett.
That inaccuracy has been common theme since his return from the injured reserve, and it’s difficult to envision Seattle’s offense getting any better if that continues.
Wilson told ESPN his finger is 96% healthy. No reason to not believe him, but at the same time it’s worth repeating — Wilson too often does not look like himself.
Touchdown, Seahawks
That’s more like it.
Wilson looked better — much better — on the Seahawks’ second drive.
Thanks in part to Washington’s defensive breakdown, Wilson connected with Tyler Lockett for a 55-yard completion on third-and-1.
Two plays later, Wilson zipped in a 6-yard pass to Everett for a touchdown — just the second TD in Wilson’s third game back from the IR.
It’s Wilson’s first TD pass since the Oct. 7 game against the Rams in which he injured his finger.
Don’t break
Kudos to the Seahawks defense for another important red-zone stop.
That forced WFT to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.
But this has been another consistent theme for this Seahawks team. They’re last in the NFL in time of possession … largely because the offense is the worst in the NFL on third down, but also because of Seattle’s bend-but-don’t-break defense.
When Seattle’s offense is scoring, it’s an approach that can be successful.
But it also requires Seattle’s defense to create some turnovers. Can the Seahawks do that tonight?
End of first: Seahawks 7, Washington 3
END OF FIRST
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) November 30, 2021
Seahawks 7️⃣
Washington 3️⃣https://t.co/TrOtKZPZLM
Russell Wilson hits Gerald Everett for a touchdown and the 7-3 lead
The scoring play: Russell Wilson hits Gerald Everett for a 6-yard touchdown and the 7-3 lead.
The drive: Six plays, 75 yards, 2:39.
The score: Seahawks 7, Washington 3.
Third and 4 and Wilson hits Everett for the TD. Seattle up 6-3. And a really nice response to the WFT drive.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
A Russell Wilson STRIKE to Gerald Everett gives the @Seahawks the lead! #Seahawks
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021
📺: #SEAvsWAS on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/2WYXwxxKrL pic.twitter.com/ACirc093vZ
That felt like the best drive Seattle has had since Wilson's return from injury. Six plays, 75 yards. Three runs for 15 yards by Collins and Wilson 2-3 for 61 yards for the rest of it.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Gerald Everett tried to troll Washington fans by leaping into the stands and a WFT fan shoved him out
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 30, 2021
Wilson hits Lockett for a 55-yard completion
Third and 1 and Seahawks throw it and Tyler Lockett is wide open for a 55-yard completion.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Washington settles for a field goal, taking an early 3-0 lead
The scoring play: Washington settles for a short field goal, as kicker Joey Slye hits from 23 yards out.
The drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 9:25.
The score: Washington 3, Seahawks 0.
Joey Slye 23-yard field goal is good and WFT leads it 3-0 with 2:59 to play in first quarter.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
WFT drives to the red zone
A fifth first down for the WFT and it has it first and goal at the 6.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Future Seahawk legend JD McKissic with the first-down catch to the 29.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks call first time out of the half before a WFT third and one. Looks like some substitution issues....
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks gain 1 yard on first drive, punt after own three-and-out
The drive: Three plays, 1 yard, 1:35.
The story: Short pass, a run for a loss and an overthrow. Not a great start for the Seahawks on offense.
Next possession: WFT starts on own 27.
Time left: 12:32 in 1Q.
Wilson overthrows Everett on third and 9 and Seattle will punt.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks facing third and 9 on first series. Here we go....
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks force WFT into three-and-out to open game
The drive: Three plays, 6 yards, 1:05.
Next possession: Seahawks start at own 24.
Time left: 13:59 in 1Q.
Seahawks with a third-down stop. Pass to McLaurin incomplete over middle and WFT will punt. Good start for Seahawks.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
No surprise, but Sidney Jones with the start at LCB with DJ Reed at RCB.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks win toss and defer
Seahawks win toss, and like me when @RyanDivish asks who will pay the bill, decides to defer.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Late-arriving crowd as WFT introduced
Late, or possibly never, arriving crowd as WFT introduced. pic.twitter.com/67P5OyMrhJ
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks GM John Schneider says on @710ESPNSeattle radio show that Penny Hart will "get some touches'' in the backfield tonight.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Kyle Fuller to play left guard vs. Washington
The expected move here. Will be the fourth time this season Seahawks have made a change to their OL due to injury. Lewis is dealing with an elbow issue. https://t.co/hgufmSoiV3
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
Seahawks the white on white combo tonight. pic.twitter.com/AiMZ6gChWO
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 30, 2021
L.J. Collier active for Seahawks at WFT
For just the fourth time this season, defensive end L.J. Collier is active for the Seahawks against Washington.
Collier, the team’s 2019 first-round pick, was last active two weeks ago at Green Bay and has played just 60 snaps this season, making four tackles.
But Collier got the call for Monday night’s game ahead of Robert Nkemdiche, who has played in six games this season but was declared inactive.
Both Collier and Nkemdiche were inactive for last Sunday’s loss to Arizona due in part to Seattle having an extra defensive back active. But generally, Collier and Nkemdiche have alternated being active.
Seattle’s seven inactives include injured running backs Rashaad Penny (hamstring) and Travis Homer (calf) who were each ruled out on Saturday, as well as injured starting guard Damien Lewis (elbow).
Seattle’s other inactives are quarterback Jacob Eason, center Dakoda Shepley and cornerback Nigel Warrior.
WFT made one significant roster move before the game, activating tight end Logan Thomas off injured reserve.
Thomas has 72 receptions for 670 yards last season and had 12 for 117 in four games this year before suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss six games.
Early view from the press box. pic.twitter.com/NtLaQmgGY2
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 29, 2021
What to watch for when the Seahawks take on WFT in Week 12 — plus Bob Condotta’s prediction
And now, facing the greatest challenge of the Pete Carroll era, the Seahawks hit the road.
Standing at 3-7, their worst record after 10 games since 2009, Seattle plays three of its next four games away from Lumen Field, beginning with Monday night’s contest against the Washington Football Team at FedExField in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
But maybe that’s a good thing.
In one of the many oddities of this season, the Seahawks are now just 1-4 at home after last week’s 23-13 loss to Arizona while they are 2-2 on the road.
And every team the Seahawks have played on the road has a .500 or better record, including the two teams Seattle has beaten, Indianapolis and San Francisco, each 5-5.
Now comes a date at 4-6 WFT, a game Seattle has to win to keep any already-barely-flickering playoff hopes alive.
Onto our keys to the game.
Seahawks need a miracle to make the playoffs. They hope it starts with a win Monday night at Washington.
For Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, Monday night marks not only the beginning of the last stand of the 2021 season, but a trip back in time to where it all began.
The three most vital participants of the best run in Seahawks history could point to a handful of games and stadiums as the true starting point of their journey.
But one of the undisputed turning points for the Carroll-era Seahawks arrived at Washington’s FedExField, where Wilson, Carroll and Wagner got their first playoff win together in January 2013, overcoming an early 14-0 deficit to beat Robert Griffin and company 24-14.
It was a win that erased any doubt about the validity of a then young-and-emerging Seahawks team that had won the last five regular-season games of 2012 to get into the playoffs, a run that set the stage for the Super Bowl-winning season that followed.
Now, almost nine years later, the Seahawks again visit FedExField hoping to jumpstart a similar late-season run with a win Monday at Washington. Kickoff is 5:15 p.m. on Ch. 7 and ESPN.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks eager to get back to ‘attacking’ mode on offense
RENTON — Go back to the beginning. That’s what the Seahawks are pointing to this week — a resounding 28-16 victory at Indianapolis to open the season — as an illustration of their potential on offense.
“I know who we are,” Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said Friday, maintaining his usual upbeat tone despite the team’s 3-7 record. “I go back to one of the best moments, when we played at the Colts. Just the energy. Everybody was touching the football. Everybody was making plays. That’s who we are. We haven’t seen it in a couple weeks or a few weeks … but the good thing is it’s there. We’ve got the same guys.”
That performance at Indianapolis was 12 weeks ago, marking an impressive debut for first-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The Seahawks ran the ball 27 times for 140 yards in Week 1, and Wilson completed 18 of 23 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns. They converted 4 of 9 third downs.
It was just about the perfect start to the season.
Since then, Seattle has had the NFL’s worst third-down offense, and they’ve managed to score just 13 points in their past two games.
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