Geno Smith Reveals Key to Seattle Seahawks' Success on Game-Winning Drives
For all of the flaws this Seattle Seahawks team has shown, sitting at 6-3 through 10 weeks of NFL action is a good start for their playoff hopes.
Part of that success has come late in games, where Seattle was tasked with leading game-winning drives with little time remaining. This season, quarterback Geno Smith has led the offense to considerable success in the fourth quarter and overtime.
With a win probability between 20 and 80 percent, Smith’s completion percentage over expected in the fourth quarter and overtime (11.8) is the best mark in football amongst passers with at least 20 plays in that situation. Too specific? He’s led three game-winning drives and two-fourth quarter comebacks and the Seahawks are 3-1 in one-possession games this season.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith attempts a pass against the Washington Commanders.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
That clutch gene reared its head in Week 10 when Smith led a game-winning field goal drive against the Washington Commanders. Seattle would go on to win 29-26 and keep themselves afloat in the race for the NFC West.
Smith spoke about how he’s been able to elevate his game when the pressure is on.
“Just to be calm, just to be poised in those situations,” Smith said. “My first-ever win in the NFL was on a game-winning drive. I feel like my entire life I’ve been always preparing for that. Those are the kind of moments that I really love. I really enjoy where you can kind of put the team on your back or go out there and win the game.”
In Week 10, Smith completed four-of-five passes for 50 yards, getting the Seahawks to the Washington 25-yard line in time for a spike and a walk-off field goal.
On the day, he completed 31 of 47 passes for 369 yards and two scores. He added a 13-yard scramble and didn’t turn the ball over.
Naturally, he was quick to share the credit with his teammates.
“For us, as a team, we practice these things every single day … we’re comfortable in those situations,” Smith said. “We just have to continue to stay poised and go out there and play like it’s the first quarter.”
There’s a good chance the Seahawks will be playing with their backs against the wall for much of the season’s second half. With the San Francisco 49ers (twice), the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles all left on the schedule, playoff football will come early to Seattle.
Even in a home stretch that promises to be more difficult than a rollercoaster first 10 weeks, Seahawks fans can feel confident that their quarterback can keep them competitive for the season’s most intense moments.
