The Seattle Seahawks’ playoff hopes took a significant hit on Sunday after a disappointing 30-23 loss at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. With their playoff destiny in their hands just a week ago, the Seahawks now face an uphill battle to reach the postseason.
Seahawks Struggle to Contain Steelers Rushing Attack
The Seahawks knew coming into the game that the Steelers would rely heavily on their run game. Despite this knowledge, Seattle’s defense couldn’t find a way to stop it. Pittsburgh racked up a season-high 468 yards of total offense, with 202 of those yards coming on the ground.
“We lost our control of it,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll after the game, referencing his team’s playoff chances. “We had control of it, and we gave that up today.”
Image: Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses the media after a tough loss to the Steelers.
Defensive Woes Continue to Plague Seahawks
Sunday’s game marked the sixth consecutive game in which the Seahawks have allowed an opponent to rush for at least 136 yards. This inability to stop the run has become a recurring theme for Seattle and has played a significant role in their recent struggles.
“Really disappointing missing this opportunity right here, at home,” Carroll admitted. “Everybody was ready. This was a great one, and we missed it. We weren’t right on defense, in the running game again, so it’s been repetitive.”
Seahawks Look to Week 18 with Hope and Determination
Despite the disappointing loss, the Seahawks aren’t giving up on their playoff aspirations just yet. They know they need to regroup quickly and focus on their Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
“There’s one game to go, and we don’t know what the scenario is going to bring us,” Carroll stated. “We’ve been here before. We’ve got to go to Arizona and go play really well and get a win and see where that leaves us.”
Image: The Seahawks defense looks on as the Steelers offense lines up for the next play.
A Familiar Position for the Seahawks
Last season, the Seahawks found themselves in a similar situation, needing a Week 18 win and some help from other teams to make the playoffs. They pulled off a victory against the Los Angeles Rams in the final game of the season and were fortunate enough to get the assistance they needed from the Detroit Lions, who defeated the Green Bay Packers, paving the way for a Seattle playoff berth.
“I never imagined we’d be in this situation again, but here we are,” quarterback Geno Smith said after the Steelers game. “What we can do is continue to fight, get ready for next week. Arizona played a great game today, came up with a win, and we know they’re going to fight all the way to the end.”
The Seahawks will be hoping for a repeat performance of last season’s Week 18 magic, but they know that their fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. They will need to channel their determination and resilience as they head into what could be a season-defining matchup against the Cardinals.
