The scheduling algorithm blessed us during week two of the 2023-2024 NFL season.
The Seahawks won the game of the week in an overtime thriller, proving every time Detroit and Seattle play each other, the game will end with fireworks.
Coach of the Year candidate Dan Campbell preaches a ‘never die’ mentality. The thought process boosts the defense and keeps them in practically every game until the final whistle. On the season’s opening night against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, that’s exactly what we saw. The Lions marched into GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and held the explosive Chiefs offense to just 20 points.
The Seahawks had an utterly opposite start to their season. The young team, led by the unshakable Pete Carrol, hosted the rebuilding Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are the second youngest team in the league with an average age of 25.3, but the rookies surprised in week one, and the Seahawks looked all out of sorts. Seattle fell to 0-1 to start the season after the 30-13 loss.
The aesthetically pleasing matchup was held in downtown Detroit in front of a sold-out Ford Field.
The first half was back and forth but unexpectedly low-scoring, as the home team led 14-7 when the two teams ran to the locker rooms.
Seattle, looking to prove week one was a fluke, was down 21-17 when they got the ball late in the third. Quarterback Geno Smith led the Seahawks on a five-minute touchdown drive to take the lead. Smith connected with WR Tyler Lockett for his first of the game.
The Seahawks doubled down as the defense took the field. Cornerback Tre Brown stole a pass from quarterback Jared Goff and took it back to the house to put the Seahawks up 10 points. Goff was just 20 throws from setting a new record. Rodgers threw 402 consecutive completions without an interception during the 2018-’19 season. Goff (383) now holds the third-longest interception drought behind Tom Brady (399). Brady was just three throws behind Rodgers when he faced the Seahawks in week 10 last season. Seattle is responsible for protecting Rodgers’ interception streak to live another day.
Detroit was never going to go down without a fight. It started with Goff, who forgot about the interception and led the Lions on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. It was capped on a four-yard pass to WR Josh Reynolds for his second touchdown, making it a one-score game.
The Lions defense felt the ‘never die’ mentality, coming onto the field, forcing a three and out, and pushing the Seahawks back to their own three. Seattle elected to punt with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter and a three-point lead.
Kalif Reynolds’ 17-yard return set the Lions up at midfield. Goff continued to feed Josh and Kalif Reynolds until the Lions sat at the edge of the red zone with 30 seconds and all three timeouts.
Uncharacteristically, Campbell played it safe. Not wanting to return the ball to Seattle, they elected to tick out the clock and kick the field goal as time expired.
Goff finished with 323 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
The two teams headed to overtime as the back-and-forth game needed extra time to be decided. It ended up coming down to a coin flip. Seattle won the toss when the captains met at midfield and took the ball.
Smith led the Seahawks on a 9-play 75-yard game-winning drive capped by another three-yard connection with Lockett. The Seahawks mobbed Lockett as he waved goodbye to the sold-out home crowd.
The high offensive affair ended with over 800 yards and over 50 first downs. Whenever the two teams match up, the game is bound to end with fireworks.
One-score games continue to haunt the Lions as their record adjusts to 1-1. Detroit went 4-5 in close games last year as they fell just short of a playoff spot.
Contrarily, the Seahawks did prove week one was an anomaly. The offense was clicking on all cylinders. Smith ended with 328 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie RB Kenneth Walker III had two rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks are an entertaining team, and you should keep their eye on them as a dark horse in the NFC.
The Lions stay home this week as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 11 a.m., while the Seahawks travel back to Seattle to host the number one overall pick, Bryce Young, and the Carolina Panthers.
