Why Geno Smith’s worst play against the Bengals was an 11-yard run

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith threw for over 300 yards, however he had a few pricey interceptions that took factors off the board for Seattle and gave the Cincinnati Bengals their solely factors after halftime.

And but, Smith had an opportunity to win the sport ultimately, however got here up 8 yards brief after a hurried 4th down incomplete cross. We’ve since realized that Colby Parkinson was the supposed receiver however Jake Curhan, who performed via damage and struggled mightily all recreation, basically made this complete sequence inconceivable to tug off.

On a day stuffed with questionable selections by Geno, neither of his interceptions was as pricey as his 11-yard run late within the 4th quarter. Why sure, scrambling for 11 yards on a 1st and 10 play is normally good, however not when you may’ve had a 30-yard landing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. We noticed this on the stay broadcast, and the All-22 footage confirms that the rookie extensive receiver was open and Geno didn’t let it fly. A second’s hesitation led to Jake Curhan letting his task go by him, and Geno went into scramble mode.

This drive ended with a 4th down sack within the crimson zone, so the miss was pricey.

By this level within the recreation, Smith had thrown each of his interceptions (together with a really compelled one to JSN). He was pressured on practically half of his dropbacks and took a season-high 4 sacks and 13 QB hits. Numerous his pressures had been prompt and others had been him taking too lengthy to get the ball out. The Bengals’ entrance 4, which on fame is arguably the perfect of any staff the Seahawks have confronted this season, in all probability had Geno frazzled, hesitant, and means out of rhythm. Regardless, that’s a throw that wanted to be made, and it’s a kind of high-leverage moments that contributed to Seattle’s defeat.

The Seahawks are going to be taking part in higher defenses than this as quickly as throwback day in opposition to the Cleveland Browns. They can not afford extra of those misses or else the season goes to unravel. The optimistic view is that Geno (and the offense as an entire) had a wasteful day, notably within the crimson zone—evidently not out of step with most of the NFL—and these are correctible points shifting ahead.

Ironically, for all the crimson zone woes, all of Seattle’s offensive touchdowns have are available that space. This was the chance to get their first explosive play rating of the season, and the possibility wasn’t taken.