Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks deliver promising update on QB Geno Smith

By Reece Johnston | Last updated 11/20/23

Seattle's loss to the Rams in Week 11 — its second loss to Los Angeles this season — could impact the Seahawks' playoff chances. However, Seattle's most pressing issue revolves around the health of its starting quarterback.

Geno Smith left Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Rams after taking a big hit from Aaron Donald in the third quarter. His replacement, Drew Lock, went 2-for-6 passing for three yards and threw an interception that led to a Rams TD in a game Seattle once led 16-7.

After two poor Lock-led drives, Smith returned for Seattle's final drive. He began it by connecting with Tyler Lockett for a 13-yard gain and later hit DK Metcalf for 21 yards to get into field-goal range. But Jason Myers, who had made three field goals in the game, missed from 55 yards with seconds left and the Seahawks fell to 6-4.

Seattle has a brutal upcoming schedule — against NFC powers San Francisco (7-3), Dallas (7-3), San Francisco and Philadelphia (8-1) — and can't afford for its starting QB to miss time.

On Monday, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll gave a promising update on Smith.

Pete Carroll tells @TheMikeSalk and @BrockHuard that he thinks Geno Smith will be able to play Thursday night against the 49ers.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 20, 2023

While Smith has not performed at the level he did in 2022, when he threw for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, he still gives the Seahawks the best chance to win.

This season, Smith has thrown for 2,404 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His completion percentage has gone from 69.8% in 2022 to 65.3% this season. His passer rating, meanwhile, has fallen from 100.9 to 89.7.

On Thanksgiving night at home, the Seahawks will play the 49ers, who are again playing well after beating Jacksonville in Week 10 to end a three-game losing streak. In Week 11, San Francisco beat Tampa Bay, 27-14.

For the Seahawks to upset the 49ers — a seven-point favorite, per oddschecker — they need Smith playing at his peak.

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