The veteran quarterback, who seemed to have defenders jumping offside with every snap, showed great finesse by taking advantage of “free plays” twice in the final two minutes, before connecting with Tyler Lockett on a 30-yard touchdown pass to give Seattle its first lead of the game. Moments later, after Riq Woolen made a leaping tackle on Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles took a penalty 15 yards before a turnover, Smith again took advantage of the offside and hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a corner route for a 47-yard gain. .

Even when Smith-Njigba couldn’t get both feet on the ground for a potential touchdown on the next drive, Smith quickly got back to it after stepping into the pocket to escape the rush and tossed him a dime up the middle to make it 24-all. yard field goal to extend the Seahawks’ advantage to 10 points with just five seconds left on the clock.

At the half, Smith completed 10 of 17 passes for 190 yards, averaged 11.2 yards per attempt, and scored twice in the half for the first time this season. While on the critical drop that led to an unfortunate interception in the first quarter, Smith-Njigba rebounded and caught three passes for 92 yards and his second touchdown of the season, while Lockett caught two passes for 43 yards and a score.

Out of the backfield, Ken Walker III bounced back nicely after a tough game against the Bills, rushing 13 times for 50 yards and adding a catch 18 yards out of the backfield.

Defensively, the Seahawks had an outstanding half, stifling the Rams’ high-powered offense. Coach Mike Macdonald’s team forced four punts on six possessions; these included three-and-outs from pressure from Boye Mafe and Leonard Williams that led to the completion of the third down.

After converting just two of seven third-down opportunities in the first two quarters, Los Angeles was held to 147 total yards, including just 14 rushing yards and 1.8 yards per carry by the revamped Seattle defense. At the forefront of the offense, Williams and Dre’Mont Jones each took two quarterback hits to force a Stafford completion, while Woolen recorded his second interception of the season and Josh Jobe continued to play well by making a key pass.

The Rams, who made a big breakthrough in the second half, will be without star receiver Puka Nacua in the second half after officials ejected him from the game for punching Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson in the helmet following an interception by Woolen. Seattle will also play the second half without right tackle George Fant, who left early in the game with a knee injury and was replaced by rookie Mike Jerrell.

Ernest Jones Active with Seahawks, Will Face Former Team in Week 9

Seahawks Need ‘More Bobo’ to Resurface to Beat Rams

Former Seahawks DT Speaks Out Over Defensive Issues