The Seattle Seahawks’ playoff hopes took a serious hit on Sunday night, as they fell to the Green Bay Packers, 24-16, dropping their record to 8-6 and pushing them out of the NFC playoff picture. Worse still, the Seahawks may have lost their starting quarterback, Geno Smith, to a knee injury, potentially leaving the team in a precarious situation as they fight for a playoff spot with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season.
Geno Smith’s Injury: A Tough Break for the Seahawks
The injury occurred in the third quarter, when Smith, who had struggled against the Packers’ defense up to that point, was hit low by Green Bay linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. On a first-down pass attempt, Cooper dove at Smith’s legs, causing his right knee to hyperflex awkwardly as his cleat got stuck in the turf. Smith immediately limped off the field, but was soon seen lying on his back in pain, and the medical staff rushed to evaluate him in the sideline tent.
Though it initially seemed like Smith might be able to return, the quarterback’s limp remained noticeable. He was even seen jogging on the sideline and putting his helmet back on in the fourth quarter. However, after further evaluation, he was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving backup Sam Howell to take over under center.
Before the injury, Smith had thrown for 149 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. The Packers’ defense, led by cornerback Jaire Alexander, had effectively shut down Seattle’s passing offense, which was already struggling throughout the game. With the Seahawks down by one possession and no clear return for Smith in sight, their hopes of coming back in the game evaporated.
Early Signs of Relief, But the Concern Lingers
Following the game, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald offered some hope but also acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “I’ll tell you this, this guy is probably the toughest player I’ve ever been around,” said Macdonald. “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.”
Though early tests indicated that Smith’s knee may be structurally intact, the severity of the injury remains unknown. With the Seahawks needing a strong finish to the regular season in order to secure a playoff spot, any extended absence for Smith would be a huge blow to their playoff chances.
Sam Howell: A Tough Debut
With Smith out of the game, backup quarterback Sam Howell took over, but his performance left much to be desired. Howell completed just 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards, one interception, and was sacked four times in a forgettable appearance. He was pressured on over half of his dropbacks, and Seattle’s offense struggled to gain any traction after Smith’s departure.
Howell, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, had only seen one snap for the Seahawks this season before stepping in for Smith. The backup’s shaky performance on Sunday night doesn’t inspire confidence, especially considering that the Seahawks are now on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff race.
The Sam Howell Experience: What’s Next?
Howell’s shaky performance only raised the stakes for the Seahawks, who will face the Minnesota Vikings next week in a must-win game. If Smith is unavailable, Howell will need to improve significantly to give Seattle a chance at a playoff push. Although Howell had a productive 2023 season with the Commanders, throwing for over 4,100 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, he was sacked 65 times and had a high turnover rate.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence in Howell’s abilities, despite his rough outing against Green Bay. “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.”
Still, Howell’s performance on Sunday doesn’t provide much optimism, and it remains to be seen whether he can rise to the challenge in such a crucial stretch of games for Seattle.
Playoff Hopes Fade Without Smith
The Seahawks’ loss to the Packers has already placed them in a tough spot. With an 8-6 record, they now sit on the edge of the NFC playoff picture at No. 8, outside of the playoff bubble. Their playoff chances have dropped to just 45%, and without Smith under center, those chances could plummet further. The team must find a way to rebound, but the odds are stacked against them.
With a looming game against the Vikings, Seattle is in a dire situation. If Smith is unavailable, Howell must show that he can be a serviceable option for the Seahawks, who are now running out of time to secure their spot in the postseason.
The injury to Geno Smith has left a cloud of uncertainty over Seattle’s playoff future. What happens next could make or break their season. The Seahawks must hope that Smith’s knee injury is less severe than it initially appeared, but even if he returns, Seattle will need to rediscover their form quickly—before it’s too late.
