3 Seahawks most to blame for Wild Card playoff loss to 49ers

Seahawks most to blame for Wild Card loss to 49ers: Geno Smith and O-line

Geno Smith was a feel-good story all year long. On the other side, Brock Purdy is all that and then some after this game, though, while Smith faltered on the larger stage.

Both quarterbacks have vastly outplayed their expectations this year, but when it mattered most, Smith didn’t quite deliver. His counting stats weren’t too bad, 25-of-35 passing, 253 yards and two touchdowns, but he was unable to scramble his way out of trouble more than once, ultimately getting sacked three times for 25 yards of loss. He fumbled the ball once under pressure and also threw an interception. Both of those turnovers were followed by scores from the 49ers.

The offensive line is absolutely to blame for the pressure that caused those turnovers. They’re also complicit with the fact that the team was only able to just barely crack 100 yards rushing, but QBs need to take on the pressure in the postseason and Smith didn’t look ready to do that. It doesn’t help that Mr. Irrelevant on the other side played an incredible game and found a way to make it work even when he was under duress.

Also on the offensive line, there’s this:

Great year for Smith, but unfairly we’ll remember his failure to raise the intensity in his final game of the year more than anything. It looks like he’ll probably wind up back in Seattle with something to prove next season.