The Seattle Seahawks have had slow starts multiple times this season, but they hadn’t been dealt a scenario where the comeback must be made without starting quarterback Geno Smith — until Sunday.

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Seahawks narrowed their deficit to 10 points in the fourth quarter of the primetime loss to the Green Bay Packers. But with Sam Howell in at quarterback and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb refusing the run the football, it was too tall a climb for Seattle.

The Seahawks fell to 8-6, snapping their four-game win streak, and fell out of first place in the NFC West (Los Angeles Rams have head to head tiebreaker).

Green Bay’s first four drives all resulted in points. Then the Seahawks buckled down and stopped the Packers on seven of their nine possessions in the second half, opening the door for Seattle to get back in the game.

A forced fumble by Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV early in the fourth quarter led to running back Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard touchdown run to bring Green Bay’s lead to 23-13. Charbonnet didn’t carry the ball the rest of the game, and the Packers eventually scored again with 4:59 left to push the game out of reach.

It was no surprise, with how the offense played, Seattle finished with a season-low 208 total yards, including just 93 in the second half. That was the lowest total by the offense in a game since their 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 of last season.

The offense continues to take two steps forward and one step back. Following their dominant 30-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 that included a season-high 176 team rishing yards, it appeared the offense turned a corner.

Now, the Seahawks are coming off their worst offensive performance of the season after posting their best. Having Smith back at quarterback will be critical to the unit’s success in Week 16 against a red-hot Minnesota Vikings team (11-2).

Head coach Mike Macdonald’s second-half adjustments on defense have been fruitful this season. The offense hasn’t followed a similar script, and a quarterback change will only amplify the unit’s issues.

It was a disappointing finish to Seattle’s second primetime game of the season, and was supposed to be a test to gauge whether the Seahawks belong in the postseason conversation. Even if they return to their previous effectiveness during the four-game win streak, a loss versus the Vikings would plummet their playoff chances.

Check out the video above to see closing thoughts on Seattle’s Week 15 loss to the Packers from Seahawks on SI’s Corbin K. Smith and Connor Benintendi.

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‘I’ve Got to Be Better’: Sam Howell Endures Historically Poor Seahawks’ Debut

5 Turning Points in Seattle Seahawks’ Disheartening Loss to Packers

Game Recap: Injuries, Turnovers Doom Seahawks in Primetime Loss to Packers

Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Lose Geno Smith, NFC West Lead in Ugly 30-13 Loss to Packers

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Seattle has long been an imposing place for opposing teams to play, but the Packers were able to make themselves at home on Sunday night.

While the crowd at Lumen Field may have featured more Seahawks fans than Packers fans overall, the Packers fans that did turn out made sure that their presence was felt. It did not feel like a hostile environment for the road team during their 30-13 win and head coach Matt LaFleur made sure to take a moment to highlight the Packers partisans when he spoke to reporters after the game.

“Big shout-out to our fans,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “I definitely was not expecting that many Packer fans in the stands. This is a tough place to play, it’s extremely loud, and I was shocked when our defense was on the field and I could hear our Packer fans. It definitely made a difference for us.”

The Packers gave their fans plenty to cheer about over the course of the evening and they should get a warm welcome back to Lambeau Field as they work to nail down a playoff spot in Week 16 against the Saints.