Fast Facts: Seahawks’ defensive struggles continue in 30-17 loss to Vikings
Sep 26, 2021, 4:31 PM | Updated: 5:52 pm
The Seahawks’ season has not started like they were hoping for.
Vikings 30, Seahawks 17: Takeaways | Instant Reaction | Box score
Seattle fell to 2-1 with a 30-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings (1-2), as the defense struggled to stop QB Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense while the Seahawks’ own offense couldn’t build on a fast start.
Making matters worse for the Seahawks is that injuries piled throughout the game, though the big story was both a secondary that allowed Cousins to throw for 323 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, and a rush defense that gave up 112 yards to second-string running back Alexander Mattison with Dalvin Cook injured for the game.
Here’s a quick look at the Seahawks’ loss.
Key moments and game recap
First half
After two weeks of less-than-expected production from DK Metcalf, the Seahawks got the talented third-year wide receiver involved right away. He had three receptions on the first possession of the game alone for 55 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown.
This opening drive was too easy for @dkm14 🤫
📺: #SEAvsMIN on FOX
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 26, 2021
Seattle’s defensive struggles from a week ago continued out of the gate, however, and the Vikings didn’t even face third down once on a seven-play, 70-yard drive capped off by a Tyler Conklin 9-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins.
The Seahawks then moved into a two-score lead thanks to a 53-yard Jason Myers field goal and 30-yard Chris Carson run to paydirt.
Can't touch Chris! @ccarson_32 takes it 30 yards all the way for the touchdown!
📺 #SEAvsMIN on FOX pic.twitter.com/8ig7PmDPMW
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 26, 2021
The lead wouldn’t make it to halftime, however. Minnesota responded with a pair of easy touchdown drives, with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson both hauling scoring passes from Cousins, to take a 21-17 lead advantage into the break. Making matters worse for the Seahawks was Myers missing a 44-yard field goal in between those two Vikings TDs. It ended Myers’ streak of consecutive field goals made at 37.
Second half
Minnesota threatened to score a touchdown on a third straight possession, but Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor got to Cousins for a sack that knocked the ball loose on third-and-11, though Cousins was able to fall on it. Greg Joseph then connected on a 43-yard field goal for the Vikings to make it 24-17. Joseph added two more field goals in the fourth quarter to make it 30-17 with 4:31 to go.
Wilson heaved a shot at receiver Penny Hart in the end zone on fourth down from Vikings territory with 2:36 left, but it fell incomplete. There is an argument to be made that the Vikings committed pass interference on the play, however.
Minnesota was able to keep possession through the two-minute warning and punted back to Seattle with just 30 second remaining, leaving the Hawks no time to come back from two scores down.
Seahawks injuries
Defensive lineman Kerry Hyder Jr. came out the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a possible concussion.
Carson grabbed his hamstring in the third quarter and came out of the game, but he returned shortly after.
Second-year linebacker Jordyn Brooks was carted off the field early in the fourth quarter due to cramping.
Lockett twisted his knee in the fourth, and while it was a scary scene as Seahawks players kneeled around him, he was able to walk to the bench under his own power and return later in the quarter.
What’s next
The 1-2 Seahawks have a tough road ahead over the next couple weeks. They face the 49ers next Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:05 p.m. (coverage starts at 10 a.m. with the pregame show on both 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio 97.3 FM), then have their Thursday night contest with the Rams just four days later.
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