The Seattle Seahawks (4-3) were desperate for a win and they got it. Kenneth Walker scored two touchdowns on his birthday, DK Metcalf caught a clutch touchdown before halftime, and Derick Hall iced the game with a fumble return touchdown to give Seattle a 34-14 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons (4-3). Atlanta’s three-game winning streak is over, and depending on what happens on Monday, the Falcons could lose their NFC South lead.

Geno Smith had his first multi-touchdown pass game of the year, the Seahawks had a turnover-free day, and the undermanned and heavily criticized defense stiffened up and forced three Kirk Cousins turnovers in as many possessions.

The only concern out of this game was Metcalf getting carted off with a knee injury, which based on DK’s facial reaction didn’t seem as serious as the carting off implied.

1st Quarter

The Seahawks once again started with the ball first. Coin tosses have been an issue for them this season! DK Metcalf got involved early by drawing a pass interference on A.J. Terrell, followed by a 22-yard gain off play-action deep into Atlanta territory. Geno Smith converted a third down to Tyler Lockett. A Kenneth Walker III touchdown was wiped out by an AJ Barner hold, and the drive stalled out from there. Jason Myers put up the first points of the afternoon from 38 yards out.

Atlanta’s opening drive yielded a first down and three false start penalties. The repeated penalties derailed their drive and resulted in a punt back to the Seahawks. Seattle was backed up deep in its own territory, got out of it through a DK Metcalf catch and Kenneth Walker checkdown gain. Geno Smith hit Noah Fant into Atlanta territory, but bad blocking and a fumbled snap by Geno killed the drive.

2nd Quarter

Atlanta went on an 11-play, 52-yard drive, mixing in the pass and run effectively. Kirk Cousins let the Seahawks off the hook by overthrowing an open Ray-Ray McCloud for what would’ve been at least first-and-goal, if not a possible touchdown. That was a miss on third down, and Younghoe Koo had a rare miss from 54 yards out.

The Seahawks had a short field thanks to the field goal miss, and they took full advantage. Geno Smith made a terrific improvised flip to Noah Fant for 28 yards to keep the drive alive, and two plays later it was a house call for Kenneth Walker. Denied a touchdown in the first quarter, he ran between rookies Christian Haynes and Michael Jerrell for a 20-yard score!

Well it didn’t take long for the Falcons to respond. Bijan Robinson had 7 carries for 55 yards and the payoff was Atlanta’s first touchdown. The Seahawks run defense was thoroughly owned.

Trickeration! Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s first NFL pass was (somewhat ill-advised) to DK Metcalf. Not a great throw, but it was caught by Metcalf anyway for 35 yards! It put the Seahawks in field goal range, only for Michael Jerrell to allow a sack to James Smith-Williams, followed by a Christian Haynes false start. Punt time.

A sack by Leonard Williams gave the Seahawks a chance to get the ball back, and Seattle’s defense made the 3rd and 10 stop to get a two-minute drill opportunity. Geno Smith threw four straight completions to Tyler Lockett (2x) and Noah Fant (2x) before committing intentional grounding. Will the Seahawks just kick the field goal or try and get a shorter play for an easier field goal? No and no. How about an end zone shot to DK Metcalf for a touchdown! Gutsy call, great throw, great route, great catch!

3rd Quarter

The Falcons got the ball to start the second half and suffocated the Seahawks defense. A 14-play, 79-yard drive capped off by a Kirk Cousins touchdown to Drake London on 4th and 1 at the Seattle 5. Rookie corner Nehemiah Pritchett was beaten in coverage. Atlanta quickly ran the play and the Seahawks were pretty much lost at sea.

A nice return by Dee Williams gave the Seahawks good field position. Geno Smith scrambled on 3rd and 8 and came up a yard shy of the sticks. On 4th and 1 at Atlanta’s 44, Mike Macdonald went for it and Zach Charbonnet gained seven! A 3rd and 5 incomplete pass by Smith was no problem, as the Falcons committed a roughing the passer. Brutal penalty by Atlanta punished accordingly by Geno and Kenneth Walker III. How about Walker as a receiver? He got behind Kaden Elliss for a 17-yard touchdown. What an escape by Geno and a grab by K9!

Seattle’s defense stepped up with a three-and-out. Dre’Mont Jones had a pass defensed and then a sack on back-to-back plays. Atlanta false started and couldn’t get 3rd and 24, giving the Seahawks the ball back.

With a chance to really turn the screws, the Seahawks squandered the opportunity after a dropped pass by Jake Bobo. Brutal.

4th Quarter

The Falcons needed a touchdown or even a field goal to get back in the game. Faced with 3rd and 20, Kirk Cousins hit Darnell Mooney for what looked like a conversion, but the officials spotted it a yard short of the marker. Atlanta challenged the spot and it was successful. With 11:11 to go, the Falcons had the ball at Seattle’s 36. PICKED! Kirk Cousins’ pass was intended for Drake London, who didn’t make the grab on the high throw and Julian Love was on the spot for the Seahawks’ first interception since Week 1. Love was ruled down by contact after the ball came loose.

The Seahawks turned that into a field goal after Jason Myers booted one from 59 yards out.

Another pick! Coby Bryant! Three turnovers in three straight possessions!

Michael Penix Jr was inserted for handoff duties and one completed pass. Otherwise? Clock runs out, Seahawks win!

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter: Jason Myers 38-yard field goal – SEA 3, ATL 0

2nd Quarter: Kenneth Walker III 20-yard touchdown run – SEA 10, ATL 0

2nd Quarter: Bijan Robinson 5-yard touchdown run – SEA 10, ATL 7

2nd Quarter: Geno Smith 31-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf – SEA 17, ATL 7

3rd Quarter: Kirk Cousins 5-yard touchdown pass to Drake London – SEA 17, ATL 14

3rd Quarter: Geno Smith 17-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Walker III – SEA 24, ATL 14

4th Quarter: Derick Hall 64-yard fumble return touchdown – SEA 31, ATL 14

4th Quarter: Jason Myers 59-yard field goal – SEA 34, ATL 14

Seahawks Injury Report

WR DK Metcalf was carted to the locker room with a knee injury. The play happened in the third quarter but he was carted off in the 4th quarter.

Box Score

Next Week’s Opponent

The Seahawks wrap up October with a home game against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (5-2). Kickoff is 1:05 pm PT on Sunday, Oct. 27, televised on FOX.