2 interceptions, 0 touchdowns and 4 sacks, complicated Sunday for the Seattle quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) – Seattle Seahawks (3-2): 17-13
After regaining their offensive explosiveness last week in Arizona, the Bengals of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase wanted to confirm against Seattle this Sunday. Mission accomplished, they have two victories in a row for the first time this season. But Cincinnati won above all thanks to its defense.
Joe Burrow in “Joe Cool” mode
Having just come out of a bye week after three straight victories, the Seahawks started the match like a confident and rested team: first drive, first touchdown. Geno Smith (27/41 passing, 323 yards, 2 INT, 20 yards rushing) is perfect on his opening series, while running back Kenneth Walker III (19 carries, 62 YDS, 1 TD, 27 YDS in the air) weighs on the race as well as on the reception. The latter opens the scoring by breaking through the opposing defense (0-7).
The reaction of the Bengals is not long in coming. Discomforted in his calf at the very start of the season, Joe Burrow (24/35, 185 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT) is doing much better physically and it shows: the young star quarterback is almost perfect in the first half with 18 successful passes on 22 attempts, for 9 different receivers. The mobility is there, the confidence too, and his formidable connection with Ja’Marr Chase (6 REC, 80 YDS) definitely seems to be back. Result: two touchdowns on the next two drives by Cincinnati. The first was concluded by Tyler Boyd (7 REC, 38 YDS, 1 TD) after a very costly defensive penalty on a fourth down, while rookie Andrei Iosivas concluded the second (14-7).
Meanwhile, Geno Smith and the Seahawks are losing a bit of offensive rhythm, which has a way of frustrating star wide receiver DK Metcalf. Seattle has to settle for a small field goal for the rest of the first half. 14-10 at the break.
Geno Smith in “Not Cool” Mode
Unlike the first half, Joe Burrow struggled in the third quarter. He was intercepted as soon as he returned from the locker room and found himself under pressure on several occasions. However, the Seahawks only benefit half of it. Despite two appearances in the opposing red zone following big receptions (for 43 YDS) from Jake Bobo, Seattle only leaves with three points on the clock, the fault of an unwelcome offensive penalty and an interception by Geno Smith (14-13 ).
Smith, although very clean since the start of the season, is in trouble and sends a second interception at the start of the fourth quarter, which allows Cincinnati to add a field goal (17-13). But the Bengals’ offense is at a standstill and the punts keep coming. Enough to annoy the Cincy public, frustrated by the playcalling of their team.
With six minutes left in the game, the Seahawks will have the opportunity to take the lead, and rather twice than once. Led in particular by receivers DK Metcalf (4 REC, 69 YDS) and Tyler Lockett (6 REC, 94 YDS), and thanks to the legs of Geno Smith, Seattle reached the red zone on its last two possessions of the match. Problem: the Seahawks attack cracks at the worst time under opposing pressure. Playing behind an offensive line overhauled since the start of the season, Smith was sacked several times, with two failures on fourth attempt.
17-13, the score remains there, Seattle may have regrets.
