The Seattle Seahawks were handed a 30-13 loss by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, a defeat that left head coach Mike Macdonald with a lot to reflect on. As the team’s playoff hopes began to dim, Macdonald didn’t shy away from holding both himself and his players accountable for the disappointing performance.

“We didn’t have a good enough plan in all three phases,” Macdonald said candidly in his post-game interview. “I’m responsible for that and then, frankly, we didn’t play good enough.”

The stakes were high heading into this game, with Seattle fighting to maintain their lead in the NFC West. However, the blowout loss pushed them down to an 8-6 record and out of the division’s top spot, as the Los Angeles Rams overtook them following a tiebreaker.

Seattle’s issues became apparent early in the game. The Packers quickly established control with two well-executed touchdown drives. By the time the Seahawks managed to score a field goal, they were already trailing 20-3. The Packers’ dominant performance on both offense and defense left Seattle scrambling for answers.

While the Packers’ early success was certainly a factor in the Seahawks’ demise, a pivotal moment came in the third quarter when starting quarterback Geno Smith was forced to leave the game due to a knee injury. Smith, who had been playing relatively well up until that point, was hit hard by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, leading to his exit from the game.

Backup quarterback Sam Howell, who stepped in for Smith, struggled to find any rhythm. Howell completed only five of 14 passes for a mere 24 yards and threw an interception, failing to provide the spark Seattle desperately needed. The quarterback change was significant, but the Seahawks’ woes extended beyond just the injury.

The Packers’ defense was relentless throughout the game, consistently overpowering Seattle’s offensive line. The Seahawks’ quarterbacks were sacked a staggering seven times, while the offensive line allowed multiple pressures that disrupted Seattle’s passing game. Additionally, turnovers played a critical role in the Seahawks’ struggles, as they were unable to capitalize on their offensive opportunities.

The offensive line has been a weak spot for Seattle this season, and their inability to protect their quarterbacks against Green Bay’s pass rush only amplified those concerns. With a struggling offensive line and limited quarterback play, the Seahawks had little chance to mount a comeback against the Packers.

With their loss to Green Bay, the Seahawks now face an uphill battle to reclaim their spot at the top of the NFC West. Their playoff hopes remain intact, but they will need to improve significantly across all phases of the game in order to stay competitive in the tough division. Coach Macdonald’s accountability for the loss was a stark reminder of how crucial preparation and execution are to success in the NFL.

“We’ve got to get better,” Macdonald concluded. “We’ve got to learn from this and move forward.”

As the season continues to unfold, Seattle will need to regroup and address their offensive line issues, quarterback depth, and defensive consistency if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs. With key matchups ahead, the Seahawks cannot afford another performance like the one they delivered against Green Bay. The loss was a harsh reality check for a team that had once been in control of their playoff destiny.