The Seahawks had a hard time getting going on offense on Sunday, then when they did, they couldn’t find the end zone, but despite an imperfect day on offense, the Seahawks were able to beat a good Colts squad 18-15 to improve to 11-3.
Here are five rapid reactions to Sunday’s win at Lumen Field:
1. Jason Myers had a huge game, including the game-winner from long range.
In an ideal world, the Seahawks would only want Jason Myers to handle extra points and field goals, but that’s not how the NFL works, and with the Seahawks unable to finish some of their better drives with six points on Sunday, Myers was asked to salvage three points on those possessions, and he came through repeatedly.
Myers, the league’s leader in points coming into the game, raised that total to 153 establishing a new career high, bettering his 143-point season in 2022 that helped him earn Pro-Bowl honors.
2. Seattle’s defense wasn’t interested in the feel-good story of the week in the NFL.
One of the biggest storylines of the week, and arguably this NFL season, was Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL. Rivers, an eight-time Pro-Bowl quarterback, last played in 2020, but came out of retirement this week and ended up starting the for the Colts.
Rivers finished his day 17 for 27 for 120 yards, one touchdown and an interception on his final pass attempt of the game, a deep ball that was tipped by cornerback Devon Witherspoon and into the hands of safety Coby Bryant.
A big part of Seattle’s defensive success how well they limited the run, holding the league’s leading rusher, Jonathan Taylor, to 87 yards on 25 carries, the 23rd straight game in which the Seahawks have not allowed a 100-yard rusher. Taylor, one of the NFL’s most explosive backs, didn’t have a run longer than 11 yards.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had yet another big game to add to a historic season.
With the Seahawks offense struggling to get on track early in the game, Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a relatively quiet first half, gaining 31 yards on three catches. The league’s leading receiver would not be denied in the second half, however, and his big catches were critical in the Seahawks doing enough on offense to come back and win a low-scoring game.
4. Nick Emmanwori was fantastic, yet again.
A week after an outstanding performance in a win over the Falcons, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori came through with yet another big performance to help lead a big defensive effort.
5. Rashid Shaheed is a weapon.
A week after he returned a kickoff or a touchdown, Rashid Shaheed had another big game for the Seahawks to spark a win. Shaheed finished with five catches for 74 yards, most notably a pair of receptions that put the Seahawks in range for Jason Myers’ game-winner, the first a 17-yarder and the second an 8-yard gain. Shaheed also helped get the drive going with a 28-yard kick return up the left sideline to the Seattle 37 yard-line.
John Boyle, Seahawks.com Senior Reporter