The Seattle Seahawks took their annual trip to SoFi Stadium, where they played the Los Angeles Rams in a thriller. The Seahawks missed the game-winning field goal and lost 17-16 as they dropped to 6-4.
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ERIC HAYRAPETIAN
NOVEMBER 21, 2023
After providing a mouthful of excuses to my fellow Daily Californian sports writer, Emmanuel Macedo, about why the Seattle Seahawks dropped their week one matchup to his beloved Los Angeles Rams, neither of us could’ve waited any longer for week 11.
Ten weeks worth of my trash-talking was to no avail as the Seahawks had yet another meltdown, losing 17-16 and ultimately getting swept in the season series.
What was the game-altering play that set the Rams up to win?
Emmanuel Macedo: Full transparency, it was the pass interference call on Devon Witherspoon late in the game to set up the Darrell Henderson Jr. touchdown that completely flipped the game. I have seen my fair share of bad penalties (or plays not all called penalties — looking at you 2018 NFC Championship Game), but I think that was one of the more egregious instances that completely stole the game away from the Seahawks. Sure, it wasn’t a lead change, but momentum is a huge part of the sport and it took the life out of the team.
Eric Hayrapetian: Emmanuel and I are on the same page on this one. The pass interference call on Witherspoon gave the Rams life and was the beginning of the end for Seattle. It was a bad call, but those are inevitable. You have to focus on what you can control and the Seahawks didn’t do that on third downs; starting 4-4 and then finishing 1-11 will not win games.
Biggest takeaway for your team?
EM: This is a very young defensive squad; the Rams have good days and bad days. There has yet to be a problem with the rush this season, all thanks to the anchor that is Aaron Donald, but the liability lies in the secondary. When they’re giving up 50-plus yard receptions, they’re putting themselves in a position to fail and gassing themselves out. There needs to be more work done to give up less explosive plays.
EH: Shane Waldron’s time should be coming to an end. This one is on him, and there are no excuses left. His scheme is one-dimensional, his third-down play calls are hard to watch and he continuously lets the defense down. There is no reason the Seahawks should lose a game if the defense held the opposition to 17 points.
Who was your team’s MVP?
EM: Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. With nearly 200 yards passing, this game was a testament to Stafford’s toughness and resilience. He got hit hard by that tough Seattle front and he was able to stay healthy and finish this game. Even more so, Nacua stepped up once again after Cooper Kupp left the game before the first half was even up. This connection is special. I think we’ve known that all season; it’s just a matter of finding the right balance if Kupp can stay healthy.
EH: It’s hard to say anyone after a brutal loss like that, but quarterback Geno Smith won me back this week. I’ve been extremely critical of Smith’s lack of ball security, but he remained a true leader and played through an elbow injury on his throwing arm. I will forever respect a player who is willing to put the team first and that’s what Smith did. He returned for Seattle’s final drive and set them up for what would have been the game-winning field goal.
It’s hard, but give a compliment to the opposing team!
EM: Seattle’s defense found consistent ways to keep the Rams from scoring. The young guys are doing an excellent job of finding their footing in that system. They came away with a Stafford pick early in the game. If it wasn’t for Smith’s injury, this game might have gotten out of hand for the Rams’ offense.
EH: This is going to hurt to admit, but Stafford always finds ways to win — especially against the Seahawks. He may struggle in the first half but on those meaningful must-score drives, he rallies his troops and gets them downfield. Stafford is a tough guy, and it’s hard to take your foot off the gas when you’re up against him.
Next up for Seattle, a dinner date with the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night is set to take place — where NFC West standings will be at stake.
Contact Eric Hayrapetian at Eric.hayrapetian@gmail.com
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