Despite a weak win from the Los Angeles Rams, I think the Seattle Seahawks are a strong team that did so many things right in Week 11 of the NFL. I’m usually beyond cynical in my game reviews when the Seahawks lose (you can find those here). But this game didn’t feel that way to me.
NFL Week 11: Slay
This was a tough decision this week. I can’t say everyone besides Drew Lock because that’s not really specific enough, so I had to narrow it down. Every wide receiver and running back could be (or should be) on this list.
Geno gets honorable mention because he looked as frustrated as I felt when he got hurt. It’s nice to know that we’re on the same page. Playing through the pain in his arm showed tremendous inner strength. He’s committed to the team. We knew that, but again, a little reminder never hurts.
#1 Slay – DK Metcalf
For the first week of this NFL season, Geno Smith and DK Metcalf were on the same page. The TD is the 52-yard pass. It’s good to see these two men making it work.
DK Metcalf (Photo courtesy of FantasyPros).
#2 Slay – Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon is an incredible rookie cornerback. There’s no other way to describe it.
He gets number two for being a bit of a mixed bag.
No one can blame him for that BS call for pass interference that handed the Rams the TD. We’ll address that below in bomb #2.
However fun it was to watch, his penalty for picking a player up and throwing them down is well deserved. That was a move that would probably look more appropriate in WWE than in the NFL. That’s one more penalty we didn’t need.
Woolen and Witherspoon (Photo by (Al Bello/Getty Images). Woolen had an impressive interception in NFL Week 11 as well.
On the positive side, his stats were A-1. He reunited Matthew Stafford with the turf via a sack and had eight tackles with three assists.
The Seahawks have been so strong with their picks in the last two drafts. Witherspoon could easily be the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
#3 Slay – Tyler Lockett
Tyler Lockett has a lingering hamstring injury. He didn’t practice all week, and yet he came to play in week 11. He made crucial catches and was one of Geno’s favorite targets. That’s a kind of character you can’t teach.
NFL Week 11: Bomb
This was an easy decision this week. It was so clear. When you know, you know. This list could be longer, but that would be too specific.
The kick is no good and the Rams are going to win! #SEAvsLAR pic.twitter.com/estmZGMDFf
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
For example, I would put Jason Myers here since this was the perfect example of his quintessential move that makes me want to meet him in a dark alley. Waiting to the very last minute, usually at a hugely game-altering moment, and crushing the hopes and dreams of Seahawks fans at the very worst of moments.
He was even going to be on my slay list since he had a 15 out of 15 record before the fated kick, but then he did what he always does, so he’s here. But I also can’t forget that he was doing well, so he just gets dishonorable mentions for repeating toxic patterns.
#1 Bomb – Drew Lock
Drew Lock’s biggest problem is that he is on my team’s roster. Existing on my roster is the issue. Between him and Brett Rypien, we are complete disasters without Geno Smith. Which feels like an alarming hole that should be filled.
Every time he throws the ball and things go wrong (so, every throw), he looks like he’s just resigning himself to the inevitable. The second he got on the turf, it was clear that things were going downhill and fast.
The look Drew Lock gives every time disaster reigns each play (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports).
Despite having one of the best wide receiver cores and a running back roster that will make a grown man cry, he can always find a way to do poorly.
#2 Bomb – The Zebras
This could be a bash on the NFL’s refs performance, but I don’t have the decade it would take to write about it.
The zebras handed the Los Angeles Rams the win when they called a terrible penalty on Devon Witherspoon for a PI with Nacua, who had no chance of catching that ball. All bad penalties are awful, but not all bad penalties are game-altering.
#3 Bomb – The Rams
The Rams attempted to murder Geno Smith with a vicious hit from the NFL’s QB thumb hunter, Aaron Donald. Then they had the nerve to taunt Geno with an ice pack for a throwing arm on the sidelines.
Richard Sherman on a better Thanksgiving in Seattle Seahawk history (Photo courtesy of SB Nation).
That shows a team with less class than a school during Thanksgiving Day break. They got called out for it on National TV too, which was a sweet moment the refs thankfully didn’t look over.
NFL Week 11 Seattle Seahawks Summary
The Rams are irritating. NFL Week 11 was hard to see. Thank goodness we don’t have to see them again. Good riddance.
As a realist who borders on pessimistic, it’s important to be honest about Seattle’s chance to win against the 49ers. In the best of times, we’re struggling to not get destroyed. In the worst of times (no Geno Smith), we are the bird on the NFL’s Thanksgiving table.
As all true Seattle Seahawks fans know, the Denver Broncos defeated the Minnesota Vikings. It’s good to see Russ being seen for the skills he has and the team getting the respect they deserve.
