Seahawks Fast Facts: Costly mistakes allow Hill, Saints to win 39-32
Oct 9, 2022, 1:27 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
Geno Smith again played very well for the Seahawks in Week 5, but mistakes on both sides of the ball and huge struggles on defense sunk Seattle in New Orleans, with the Saints taking the matchup 39-32.
Saints 39, Seahawks 32: Box Score
Despite being without starting quarterback Jameis Winston and veteran receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry, the Saints thrived on offense against the Seahawks’ struggling defense, and it wasn’t backup quarterback Andy Dalton or star running back Alvin Kamara who was leading the charge.
No, it was tight end/quarterback/do-it-all man Taysom Hill who throttled Seattle’s defense, scoring four total touchdowns despite having only 10 touches.
Hill and the Saints took advantage of multiple costly mistakes and penalties by the Seahawks on both sides of the ball to win this one. Here’s what happened and what you need to know.
Quick Recap
The Saints struck first with a field goal before Smith found DK Metcalf deep downfield. The star receiver did the rest for a 50-yard touchdown.
GENO TO DK. 50 YARDS.
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/X4lelc0SFE pic.twitter.com/MQMO0ALVqU— NFL (back in London) (@NFL) October 9, 2022
After forcing a punt, the Seahawks, thanks to a long Rashaad Penny run, added a Jason Myers field goal to extend their lead to 10-7.
But on the ensuing drive, Uchenna Nwosu jumped offsides on third down, giving New Orleans a new set of downs. The Saints then drove downfield, scoring on a Taysom Hill touchdown run to tie it up at 10-10.
After the two sides traded punts, the Seahawks went three-and-out, and punter Michael Dickson tried to run with it deep in Seattle’s own territory and was tackled for an eight-yard loss. Hill then punched it in for his second score of the game to give the Saints a 17-10 lead.
Smith had a nifty play on the Seahawks’ next drive, rolling to his left and firing downfield for tight end Noah Fant for a big gain. Smith made another great throw a few plays later, but Metcalf dropped the would-be touchdown and the Seahawks settled for a field goal, making it 17-13 New Orleans.
The Saints tried to score before halftime, but star running back Alvin Kamara fumbled and rookie corner Tariq Woolen recovered. Safety Ryan Neal and rookie nickel corner Coby Bryant punched the ball out.
The Seahawks took advantage of the turnover, with Smith finding Tyler Lockett for a 35-yard touchdown on a play that started with just 12 seconds left in the half and with Seattle having no remaining timeouts. Myers’ extra-point try missed to the right, so the Hawks entered halftime with a 19-17 lead.
Seattle had a chance to double-dip after scoring before halftime, but Metcalf fumbled on the Seahawks’ first play of the third quarter. The Saints then scored on third down with Andy Dalton finding rookie Chris Olave. The play was initially ruled an incompletion, but the Saints challenged and it as overturned, giving New Orleans a 24-19 lead.
The Seahawks had to punt on their next drive, and they lost Penny after a first down run as he crawled off the field and was grabbing around his ankle.
After trading punts for a few drives, Dalton looked left for Tre’Quan Smith, but Woolen picked off the pass, giving him two turnovers in the game and his third interception in as many weeks.
TARIQ WOOLEN GETTING HIMSELF A PICK ON THE DAY AGAIN!
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/bWvFNEeJ4W
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
It looked like Seattle would take advantage of the turnover and field position as Smith found Metcalf deep once again for a touchdown, but a holding call on rookie left tackle Charles Cross wiped out the play. The Seahawks were once again forced to punt.
Down essentially all their playmakers, the Saints found Kamara on a screen for 54 yards and Hill found tight end Adam Trautman for a touchdown, extending their lead to 31-19.
Taysom Hill does it ALL
This time a 22-yd TD strike to Adam Trautman #SEAvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/E2KiwCc8MJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 9, 2022
But Smith and the Seahawks weren’t done yet, with Smith finding Lockett from 40 yards out for the receiver’s second score of the game. The 2-point try failed, and Seattle trailed 31-25.
Perfect placement for the score by @GenoSmith3!
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/ypgBJ6FwlQ
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
The Saints then punted and rookie Ken Walker III, assuming lead back status with Penny injured, scored his first touchdown of his career, a 69-yard scamper to give the Hawks a 32-31 lead
PSA: KENNETH WALKER IS VERY FAST!
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/aeRCiO9L5n
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
That was short-lived, though, with Hill finding the end zone for the fourth time, this time a 60-yard run on third-and-short, giving New Orleans a 39-32 lead.
TAYSOM HILL TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE!!!!!! ⚜️
the 3rd rushing TD of the day for Hill #SEAvsNO ⚜️ 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/VoS0SGgKgi
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 9, 2022
The Seahawks then punted on their next drive and didn’t get the ball back.
What To know
• Mistakes were aplenty for the Seahawks in this one.
Twice the Seahawks gave the Saints a short field thanks to Dickson’s “run” and Metcalf’s fumble, and they capitalized both times, scoring two touchdowns.
Metcalf also dropped a would-be score and Seattle had to settle for a field goal.
The Hawks also were penalized 11 times for 70 yards. One of those wiped out a Metcalf score and another extended a Saints drive that resulted in a touchdown.
• Ryan Neal got the start over Josh Jones at strong safety and had some good moments, breaking up a touchdown in the third quarter and helping force a fumble in the second quarter.
• Penny left the game and was carted to the locker room with what Pete Carroll called a “serious” ankle injury.
• Woolen recorded his third game in a row with an interception as well as a fumble recovery. He now has four turnovers and a blocked field goal this season.
• This was the first game all year Metcalf and Lockett each scored touchdowns.
Key Stats
Seahawks
• Geno Smith: 16-25, 268 yards, 3 TDs, no turnovers
• Ken Walker: 8 carries, 88 yards, TD
• Tyler Lockett: 5 catches, 104 yards, 2 TDs
• DK Metcalf: 5 catches, 88 yards, TD
• Tariq Woolen: 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
Saints
• Taysom Hill: 10 touches, 134 yards, 4 TDs
• Alvin Kamara: 23 carries, 103 yards, 6 catches, 91 yards
• Cameron Jordan: 1.5 sacks
Seahawks Instant Reaction: Seattle Sports on 39-32 loss to Saints
