Seattle Seahawks Fall Short In Wild OT Opener

By Raymond Schwabacher | Sep 13, 2015

Were you hoping for a nice, relaxing week one? You wanted the Seattle Seahawks to cruise through a simple, straightforward game and waltz away with a win at the end, didn’t you? Well surprise, surprise, because that’s not what happened. That’s not at alllllll what happened.

Seahawks Vs. Rams: All Eyes On Tyler Lockett, Frank Clark

The Seattle Seahawks opened their 2015 season with a loss, going down 34-31 against the St. Louis Rams. The game was nutso from the start, and took longer than four quarters to reach completion. It featured some plays we’ll never forget and a defensive performance we never thought we’d see. The game was bonkers, and now football is back.

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Let’s just start with the game’s first score. After the two teams exchanged opening drives, the much-hyped Tyler Lockett lined up in the backfield to return his first-ever NFL punt. And oh, what a return it was: the 22-year-old rookie drove all the way to the endzone, a 57-yard dash that put the Seahawks on the board.

Lockett is the guy we tuned in for, and he’s the guy who stole our breath right at the offset. At the time of this touchdown all looked to be right and easy: the Seahawks traded tough possessions with a rival, then let loose their secret weapon to take the lead. How could anyone have known what was to come?

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs the ball on a punt return against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

At the time of the game’s first score there was no reason to think the Seattle defense would look anything but dominant. They’d had a nice early showing, after all, but things quickly fell apart as the ‘Hawks allowed more points than they did in any game a season ago. And yes, it was more concerning than flukey.

Did it seem like every time the Seahawks scored, the Rams answered with a long drive? That’s because they did! Nick Foles had a nice debut for ~~Los Angeles~~ St. Louis, going 18 for 27 and tallying 297 yards. He also threw a touchdown and ran one in himself. The Rams offense was rolling against what was supposed to be the league’s premier defense.

It seemed like the Seahawks defense never really got going, which is odd to say given that they looked strong opening the game. Looking at the numbers there were some strong individual performances… Earl Thomas was great, as usual, and Cliff Avril was all over Foles. Michael Bennett and Bobby Wagner played well. But collectively it was an effort most underwhelming. Which is weird, given that these are the Seattle Seahawks and all.

St. Louis answered Lockett’s run with ten points in the second quarter, before a Steven Hauschka field goal tied things up at 10-10. Seattle scored another field goal in the third quarter, then allowed two staggering touchdowns in the next five minutes. The Rams were blowing up the Seahawks’ D, and suddenly Seattle was down by two scores.

Then Russell Wilson found Jimmy Graham for a touchdown. Marshawn Lynch converts for two points, and things are getting wild again. Hauschka nails another field goal. And then, with the Rams grabbing possession, we got another memorable moment.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive back

Cary Williams

(26) scores after forcing St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (not pictured) to fumble the ball during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Cary Williams found Foles at the perfect time, slashing the football out of his hands and recovering it cleanly. He then was able to run the ball back for a touchdown, earning himself at least a week’s worth of our love and affection. Thanks, Cary! That sure was fun!

That would be it for the Seahawks, as far as scoring is concerned. From that point forward things were a tad bit bleak.

Dion Bailey only played today because Kam Chancellor is still holding out, and now Chancellor might have to thank Bailey for what I’d assume will be a swift and hefty financial resolution. The Seahawks win this game if Chancellor is in there. Because there’s no way Chancellor would’ve made the blunder that Bailey made.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Lance Kendricks (88) runs past Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) for a game tying 37 yard touchdown during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

What’s the worst thing you can do when you’re the only thing stopping an open receiver from scoring a critical, game-tying touchdown? Probably stumble and fall down, right? That’s what Bailey did while trying and failing to guard Lance Kendricks. Just like that it was 31-31, when moments before it had seemed like the Seahawks were going to be able to wrap up a win.

Then overtime came, and the Seahawks fell apart. Seattle tried to onside kick, but totally blew it and ended up giving the Rams a nice, easy shot at a field goal. They scored, and it was all eyes on Russ. The drive started out with promise, and ended up with a 4th-and-1. So the Seahawks decided to – what else? – hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch.

And Lynch was stopped. He fell short of the first down, just as he might have had he been handed the ball on that fateful play in the Super Bowl. They sure as hell weren’t going to pass – how could they, given the Super Bowl – and this didn’t work, either. And so the St. Louis Rams were able to eek out an impressive, semi-unbelievable victory.

We’ll have more on this game later, but for now it’s best just to take deep breaths and let it all sink in. The Seahawks played. The Seahawks lost. It was insane. There’s a lot to like about this team and some serious areas of concern. It’s going to be a wild season.

Next: Seahawks At Rams: Final Notes, Prediction, Bettor's guide

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