The Seahawks have continued to play great football since their last loss against the New Orleans Saints back on Oct. 9. They have won four games in a row, all by at least 10 points. Geno Smith, Seattle’s backup last season, has been putting together a fantastic season. With the highest completion percentage in the league and a career high 15 total touchdowns with 8 more games to play in the regular season, Smith is putting together a Pro Bowl season halfway through the year. What’s even more impressive about Smith’s 2022 season is how he has been able to handle all the criticism and doubt that many experts had on whether he could return to being a starter in the league. Geno’s new famous quote after the first game of the season has been “they wrote me off, I ain’t write back though.” Smith indeed has not wrote back, and certainly has not looked back at how his past 8 years in the league have gone. Smith’s last starting job was in New York with the Giants, and he wasn’t nearly as sharp as he has been this year. Geno’s wise decision-making with the football and ability to evade pressure explain why the Seahawks are where they are.
Geno Smith isn’t the only reason the Seahawks have an impressive 6-3 record. Rookie sensation Kenneth Walker lll has been on a tear ever since taking over the RB1 position with Rashad Penny’s season-ending ankle injury. Walker has 7 rushing touchdowns this year, which is already 2nd in franchise history by a Seahawk, per Seahawks PR. If Walker continues his current pace, he will most certainly become the first Seattle rookie to rush for 14 touchdowns in a season passing Curt Warner (1983). Walker’s ability to have balanced and quick feet behind the line of scrimmage allows him to let the blocking scheme of the offensive line develop, which has led to Seattle having a competent running game.
The Hawks are now off to Germany to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will be a hefty challenge for the squad. Tampa’s exceptional defensive line will test Seattle’s offensive line and Kenneth Walker’s ability to maneuver around it. With Tom Brady at the helm as well for Tampa Bay, it will be interesting to see how the defense can manage him and create pressure. One thing is for sure, in order for the Seahawks to prevail, Smith and Walker will have to continue balling out like they have all season.
Northwest Sports Desk 