Seahawks’ Playoff Hopes Take a Hit as Geno Smith Exits with Knee Injury
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks’ playoff dreams took a double blow on Sunday night. Not only did they suffer a tough 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but they also watched their veteran quarterback, Geno Smith, leave the game with an apparent knee injury. Now, the team’s postseason hopes hang in the balance as they await updates on Smith’s condition.
The injury occurred midway through the third quarter when Smith took a low hit from Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald provided a glimmer of hope after the game, stating that Smith’s knee appears to be structurally intact. However, his status for next Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings remains uncertain.
“I’ll tell you this, this guy is probably the toughest player I’ve ever been around,” Macdonald said. “It was severe enough for him not to come back in the game. We’ll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. But right now, structurally it looks like it’s OK, but we’ve got to get it imaged and all that stuff.”
The Play That Changed the Game
The injury happened as Smith was throwing an incomplete pass on first down. Cooper dove at the back of Smith’s right leg, causing his knee to hyperflex as his cleat got stuck in the turf. Smith was visibly upset after the hit, which did not draw a penalty. Limping off the field, he eventually lay on his back in clear pain before being examined in the medical tent and later heading to the locker room.
Cooper defended the hit, saying, “He just said I was diving at his ankles, but I was just trying to go get him down. That was it, simple as that.”
Smith later returned to the sideline in the fourth quarter with a noticeable limp and even appeared ready to re-enter the game at one point, helmet in hand. However, Macdonald explained, “He wanted to and then he was about to go back… And then he just couldn’t go.”
Backup QB Struggles to Fill the Void
With Smith sidelined, Sam Howell stepped in but struggled mightily in his first extended action of the season. Howell completed just five of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception. He was sacked four times and faced pressure on 53% of his dropbacks.
“It wasn’t good enough to win,” Macdonald said of Howell’s performance. “I know he’s disappointed. It just didn’t feel like we were getting the ball out on time and then it wasn’t complemented with our pass protection. I know we gave up a bunch of sacks and they did a good job, too. They covered the routes and rushed the passer, and it was a complementary game on their end on defense.”
Howell, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Commanders, had only played one snap in 2024 before Sunday night. While he did lead a field goal drive and a touchdown drive to bring Seattle within 10 points in the fourth quarter, his other five drives ended in four punts and an interception.
“I think at the end of the day, I’ve got to be better,” Howell admitted. “My job is to be ready to go in there and play well and help this team win, and I didn’t do that today. So I’ve just got to be better, watch the film, learn from it.”
Offensive Line Woes Continue
The Seahawks’ offensive line also had a rough night, allowing seven sacks and 12 quarterback hits. This came just one week after the unit gave up zero sacks and only two QB hits in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. To make matters worse, Seattle lost center Olu Oluwatimi in the first half to a knee and quad injury. Macdonald described the injury as significant enough to keep Oluwatimi from returning but did not provide further details.
Howell took responsibility for some of the sacks, saying, “At the end of the day, sacks are a quarterback stat. Got to hit the check-downs a little faster and just get the ball out of my hand before they get to me.”
Smith’s Performance Before the Injury
Before exiting, Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards and an interception. The pick, his 13th of the season, came in the end zone while he was under heavy pressure. According to ESPN Research, it was Smith’s fourth red zone interception this season (the most in the NFL) and his fourth interception on a throw into the end zone (tied for the most in the NFL).
“I haven’t talked to him about the play, but again, our whole team didn’t play good enough to win,” Macdonald said. “I’m a part of that, Geno’s a part of that, and we’ve got to learn from it and keep moving forward.”
Playoff Picture Gets Murky
The Seahawks (8-6) had been riding high on a four-game winning streak, which vaulted them to first place in the NFC West. However, Sunday’s loss, combined with the Los Angeles Rams’ win on Thursday night, leaves the two teams tied atop the division. The Rams hold the tiebreaker thanks to a head-to-head victory, and the two teams are set to face off again in Week 18 at SoFi Stadium.
To make matters worse, the Seahawks’ loss dropped them out of the current playoff picture. The Washington Commanders now hold the third and final wild-card spot, with a one-game lead and two more conference wins in the event of a tiebreaker. According to ESPN Analytics, Seattle’s playoff chances fell to 45% after Sunday’s loss, a figure that doesn’t account for Smith’s injury or the possibility of Howell starting moving forward.
“That’s why we have Sam, to come in and help us win games if he needs to,” Macdonald said. “Yeah, it’s a tough situation. He hasn’t played yet this year. We’ve got faith in Sam. Guy’s a great player. If he gets another opportunity, he’ll do a great job.”
For now, the Seahawks and their fans can only wait and hope for good news on Geno Smith’s knee. With the playoffs on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Originally Written by: Rob Demovsky
