Game in Review: Seahawks 17, Packers 10

By Danny O’Neil

No doubt about this fourth-quarter touchdown catch.

Receiver Stephen Williams made sure of that when he jumped up and reached over a Green Bay cornerback for a 42-yard touchdown reception that was the decisive play in Seattle’s 17-10 preseason victory Friday night.

It should be pointed out Williams used two hands for his game-winning touchdown as opposed to Golden Tate’s one-handed grab in last year’s Monday night game.

Stephen Williams’ game-winning 45-yard touchdown catch was his third score of the preseason. (AP) | More photos

The significance: This was Seattle’s eighth consecutive preseason victory. It was also the closest final score of those eight consecutive preseason victories. In fact, the Seahawks won their previous five preseason games by a combined score of 166-47, which made this an outright nailbiter that went all the way down to the fourth quarter.

Turning point: Williams nearly came down with a 45-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, losing the ball as he skidded on his back. He left no doubt about a 42-yard scoring catch in the fourth quarter, jumping up and over cornerback Loyce Means. It was Williams’ third consecutive game with a touchdown catch, each one covering more than 35 yards.

Player of the game: Running back Christine Michael rushed for 97 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter when he showed incredible burst. He had a nifty little one-handed catch that resulted in a 25-yard gain, too.

The good: Russell Wilson’s first quarter. He completed all six passes he attempted in the period for 90 yards, leading the Seahawks on a field-goal drive. Tony McDaniel made quite an impact in his Seahawks debut, batting down a pass, getting a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and consistently getting penetration. Looks like he just might claim that job as a starting defensive tackle.

The bad: Wilson’s second quarter. He completed four of nine pass attempts in the second quarter for 36 yards and was picked off twice. Seattle gained 106 yards on its first two possessions of the game, and just 14 on its final four possessions of the first half. Seattle was penalized for 182 yards in the game while allowing 201 yards in total offense to the Packers. J.R. Sweezy beat out John Moffitt to start at right guard for the Seahawks, but Moffitt wasn’t penalized three times in the first half like Sweezy was. Of course, Moffitt isn’t a Seahawk anymore, but that doesn’t excuse the fact Sweezy was penalized twice for holding and then a bad personal foul for jumping into a pile late.

The ugly: Bad enough that Seattle was penalized six times in the first half, marking the third consecutive half in which Seattle was flagged at least six times. Then it got worse. Seattle was penalized 14 times in the game. Seattle did not commit a turnover in either of its first two preseason games, but Wilson was picked off twice in the first half. The Packers sacked Wilson three times and Brady Quinn – who was Seattle’s first quarterback off the bench – was under constant pressure.

Go figure: Seattle outgained Green Bay 362 yards to 201 yards.

Did not play: TE Zach Miller, FB Michael Robinson, G James Carpenter, WR Sidney Rice, WR Bryan Walters, DE Cliff Avril, DT Jesse Williams, DT Jordan Hill, CB Ron Parker, DE Ty Powell.

PUP: WR Percy Harvin, CB Tharold Simon, DE Chris Clemons, DL Greg Scruggs.