Banged-up Seahawks fall 14-5 to Buccaneers, ending win streak at 3
Nov 27, 2016, 4:22 PM | Updated: 6:15 pm
Russell Wilson was sacked six times and threw two interceptions in the Seahawks' loss to Tampa Bay. (AP)
(AP)
TAMPA, Fla. – Fitting that Russell Wilson’s final pass was intercepted just in front of the end zone.
It was fitting because it was a turnover, which is how three of Seattle’s four drives into Tampa Bay territory ended, and it was fitting because for the third game this season in which the Seahawks failed to find the end zone.
First it was at Los Angeles. Then it was in five quarters in Arizona, and now it was in Tampa Bay against a Bucs defense that isn’t even mediocre.
Tampa Bay 14, Seattle 5. And yes, this was as awkward and as ugly as the score makes it sound.
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The Bucs tried to help the Seahawks out.
They really did. After scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions, the Bucs’ offense spent the next three quarters shooting itself in the foot. Tampa Bay missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt then allowed time to run out at the end of the first half while it was in field-goal range. It had a fourth-quarter touchdown nullified by a penalty and committed two turnovers in the final period, too.
And even with all that help, the Seahawks couldn’t get out of their own way.
That Seattle lost wasn’t a surprise given the number of injuries on its roster. How the Seahawks lost, however, was nothing short of shocking, as the Seahawks couldn’t mount any sustained offense against a Bucs defense that has a documented history of being bad this season.
Oakland quarterback Derek Carr threw for 513 yards earlier this season against the Bucs. The Falcons hung 43 points on Tampa Bay.
Injuries would have excused a defensive meltdown as Seattle was without four starters, including safety Earl Thomas and cornerback DeShawn Shead. But the offense was missing only center Justin Britt, who dressed for the game but did not play.
The Seahawks allowed six sacks in the game, and committed three turnovers to end a three-game win streak. Luckily for Seattle, its lead in the NFC West doesn’t shrink, as each other team in the division lose on Sunday.
FIRST QUARTER
The Seahawks allowed an opponent to score two touchdowns in the first quarter in only one game during Pete Carroll’s first six seasons as Seattle’s coach. This was the second time in four games the Seahawks gave up a pair of first-quarter touchdowns.
The Bucs converted all three third downs they faced and held the ball for more than two-thirds of the first quarter. Jameis Winston was 7-for-8 passing in the first quarter, throwing two touchdowns to wide receiver Mike Evans. The second of those scoring passes came when Evans was being covered by Richard Sherman.
TB – Mike Evans 2 pass from Jameis Winston (Roberto Aguayo kick) at 7:34 (Drive: 14 plays, 78 yards, 7:26). Score: Bucs 7, Seahawks 0.
TB – Evans 23 pass from Winston (Aguayo kick) at 2:53 (Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 3:01). Score: Bucs 14, Seahawks 0.
SECOND QUARTER
Russell Wilson passed for 20 yards in the first half, which is pretty bad. Even worse: Wilson was sacked four times in the first two quarters for a combined loss of 19 yards, which means Seattle’s net-passing total for the first half was 1 yard.
The defense scored Seattle’s first points, which were awarded on a safety after the Bucs were penalized for holding in the end zone. It was Seattle’s first safety since the season opener in 2014. Seattle added a 43-yard Stephen Hauschka field goal and was fortunate to only trail by nine points at halftime, as the Bucs missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt and allowed time to expire as they inexplicably allowed time to run out while they were in field-goal range.
Sea – Safety (TE Luke Stocker was penalized for holding Frank Clark, and the foul occurred in the end zone). Score: Bucs 14, Seahawks 2.
Sea – Steven Hauschka 43 field goal at 10:39 (Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 2:44). Score: Bucs 14, Seahawks 5.
THIRD QUARTER
There were no points in this period though the Seahawks’ offense did continue its incremental improvement. They gained 23 yards in the first quarter, 47 in the second and 63 in third, which put them on pace to be actually functional by the time the game ended.
The Seahawks had their final two possessions of the period start inside their own 10.
FOURTH QUARTER
Each team committed two turnovers, and while Winston’s interception was ill-advised, it wasn’t nearly as costly as the fumble Jimmy Graham lost 3 minutes earlier to end what was Seattle’s most promising drive of the game. Wilson’s final pass was picked off, the second time he was intercepted as the Seahawks were driving at the end of a half against Tampa Bay.
