Geno Smith Falls Short in Seahawks’ Heartbreaking Loss to Vikings

Geno Smith needed help. As the Seattle Seahawks quarterback took hit after hit, it became evident the team needed him to be perfect to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. With an ailing knee, an inconsistent offensive line, and a roster struggling to find cohesion, Smith was tasked with an impossible mission—and he fell just short.

The 34-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback finished with 31 completions on 43 attempts, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. These numbers rank among his best performances of the 2024 season. Smith connected with DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and AJ Barner for touchdowns, the last of which gave the Seahawks a 24-20 lead with just over four minutes remaining.

Yet, it was Smith’s two interceptions—his 14th and 15th of the season—that sealed the Seahawks’ fate in a 27-24 loss, their sixth home defeat of the season.

A Coach’s Defense

Seattle’s rookie head coach, Mike Macdonald, stood by his quarterback after the game.

“Geno is our ultimate competitor,” Macdonald said. “We wouldn’t even be in the playoff conversation in late December without him. He’s a warrior.”

Visibly dejected after the game, Smith reflected on the team’s struggles. “We gave ourselves a chance,” he said softly. “But we just couldn’t finish. Not the way we wanted to send things off at home.”

The Highs and Lows of Geno Smith

Smith’s spectacular and flawed performance was a microcosm of the Seahawks’ uneven season. At 8-7, Seattle is now on the brink of playoff elimination with two games remaining: a matchup against the struggling Chicago Bears and a high-stakes game against the playoff-contending Los Angeles Rams.

Smith’s brilliance was on full display late in the first half. Down 14-7, he orchestrated a precise two-minute drill. Starting from Seattle’s 12-yard line with 85 seconds on the clock, Smith connected with Metcalf and Smith-Njigba on key throws. His bold 25-yard dart to Smith-Njigba through tight coverage brought the Seahawks into striking range. Moments later, a perfectly placed 18-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Njigba cut Minnesota’s lead to 17-14 at halftime.

But Smith’s mistakes proved costly. His first interception, a hurried throw under pressure in the second quarter, gave Minnesota possession deep in Seattle territory. The Vikings capitalized with a field goal, turning a tie game into a 17-7 deficit.

A Crushing Fourth-Quarter Interception

The game unravelled in the fourth quarter. With Seattle trailing 27-24 and driving into Vikings territory, Smith faced relentless pressure from Minnesota’s blitzing defence. He hesitated on first-and-10 from the Vikings’ 37-yard line after pulling back a throw, only to be sacked for a 7-yard loss.

The Seahawks needed at least a field goal to tie the game, but Smith’s ensuing passes fell short. On third-and-16, a conservative check-down gained just one yard, setting up a daunting fourth-and-15.

Head coach Macdonald opted for a 60-yard field goal attempt, but kicker Jason Myers missed wide right. The Seahawks’ hopes dimmed, though Smith had one last chance. With 55 seconds left and no timeouts, he launched a desperation throw that ended in his second interception, sealing the Vikings’ win.

The loss leaves Seattle clinging to slim playoff hopes. Smith’s up-and-down season mirrors the team’s struggles, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for their remaining games.

For now, Smith shoulders the blame. “Anything that went wrong,” he said postgame, “put it on me.”

While imperfect, Smith’s effort has been nothing short of heroic in a season where perfection seems to be the only acceptable standard.