Seattle, WA
Observations from Seattle Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to Rams
Despite four interceptions by Sam Darnold, the Seattle Seahawks somehow still had a chance to pull off a last-second victory in Sunday afternoon’s NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
Instant reaction | Box Score
However, Jason Myers’ 61-yard field goal on the final play sailed wide right and the Seahawks suffered a 21-19 road loss to their division rival as the Rams took Round 1 between these two Super Bowl contenders.
The loss dropped Seattle to 7-3 and allowed the Rams to move into sole possession of first place atop the NFC West at 8-2.
Here’s a look at what stood out from the game.
Darnold’s interceptions prove costly
In a clash of two evenly matched teams, turnovers had the potential to be a differentiating factor. The Seahawks, despite all their success on offense this season, entered the week tied for the second-most turnovers in the league. The Rams’ defense, meanwhile, was tied for the fifth-most takeaways.
And sure enough, it ended up being the story of the game.
Darnold, who entered with just six interceptions this season, was picked off four times by the Rams’ defense. As a result, the Rams began four of their possessions in Seattle territory, and they converted two of those short fields into touchdowns.
For most of this season, the Seahawks were good enough to overcome their high turnover rate. But they essentially handed the Rams 14 points on Sunday, which they simply couldn’t afford to do against one of the league’s elite teams.
A gutsy defensive performance
It’s a major testament to their defense that the Seahawks still had a chance to win this game in the closing moments.
Seattle completely suffocated Los Angeles’ high-scoring offense for most of the afternoon, holding Sean McVay’s crew to just 249 total yards, which was the Rams’ second-lowest mark of the season. Matthew Stafford completed just 15 of 28 passes for a season-low 130 yards, while averaging a season-low 4.6 yards per pass attempt.
And for the final two-thirds of the game, the Rams simply couldn’t move the ball at all. The Seahawks limited the Rams to just 105 total yards and five first downs over their final eight drives, none of which spanned more than 25 yards.
Again, the Rams scored 14 of their 21 points on a pair of drives that started at the Seattle 3 and the Seattle 25. The fact that the Seahawks lost the turnover battle 4-1 and still nearly won should be at least somewhat encouraging.
Settling for field goals
Darnold’s interceptions were by far the biggest problem for Seattle’s offense. But they weren’t the only problem.
The Seahawks drove inside the Rams’ 15-yard line three times over the first two and a half quarters. But all three times, they settled for field goals.
Seattle’s first red-zone drive stalled at the 12-yard line after a pair of incompletions. Seattle’s second red-zone drive – a 15-play, 89-yard march at the end of the first half – stalled at the 3-yard line after Darnold was forced into a third-down throwaway.
And in the third quarter, the Seahawks drove into the red zone again but settled for another field goal. That came after back-to-back plays where Kenneth Walker III had a TD run called back by a holding penalty and Darnold missed a potential go-ahead TD pass by underthrowing an open Rashid Shaheed down the sideline.
More Seattle Seahawks news
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• Hall of Fame Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley dies at 66
(WSB photo)
Shannon Woodard, interim executive director of DNDA, visited Mechanics Bank in The Junction this week to accept a $7,500 grant that’ll help support the housing/art/community nonprofit’s work. One big event ahead: The Arts-in-Nature Festival returns on Saturday, June 27, 10 am-8 pm, at Camp Long (5200 35th SW). Admission will be free, and you’ll be able to wander the park to enjoy music, movement, and storytelling performances, as well as immersive art installations in the park’s rustic cabins. Accepting the grant, Woodard told Mechanics Bank’s Andrew Tento (pictured above with her) and Bob Livingston that though her role as interim executive director is new, she’s been on the DNDA board since 2015, and has worked in the housing sector, setting her up for leadership in DNDA’s housing work, too. “As well as providing affordable housing, we prove community,” Woodard noted – and that’s what the June 27 festival will be about, too.
(Colorful clouds during Saturday’s sunset – photo by Sara Walsh; tonight’s sunset is at 9:04 pm)
After a wildly busy Saturday, it’s a quieter Sunday on our West Seattle Event Calendar – here are highlights of what’s happening (and not) on June’s first Sunday, starting with some good news if you have to head east off the peninsula:
TRAFFIC NOTE – I-5 REOPENED EARLY: Thanks for the tip! What was expected to be a full-weekend closure of I-5 northbound between I-90 and the U-District has ended early, and the freeway’s back open.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY PRIDE PARTY: 9 am, Westies Run Club runs from Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) today, in “Pride Party” mode – rainbows and glitter encouraged!
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
(Saturday photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: Second day of the celebration for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both WSB sponsors) in their new location at 2611 California SW, 10 am-6 pm, featuring another set of “massive giveaways” plus discounts – details here; our Saturday coverage is here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-summer produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries and cherries!), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
VOLUNTEER AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10 am-noon, all welcome to help at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham & Graham):
The garden looks great but could use a little taming. Weeding is the name of our game this weekend! As usual:
-Dress for the weather
-Bring a water bottle
-And a heads up: The closest restroom is at QED coffee a block or two up the streetNo experience is necessary, just your gardening spirit. Thanks so much for your support of our community garden! I look forward to seeing you out there.
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast – if this morning is sold out, look at dates ahead.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing continues, rain or shine, at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
FREE FLAG-FOOTBALL CLINIC: Girls 10-16 interested in flag football are invited – noon-2 pm on the field at 2701 SW Kenyon, free, just show up! Presented by (but not at) the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor).
COLMAN POOL’S FINAL PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, final preseason weekend concludes at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here, with 7-day-a-week operations starting next weekend. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SIP & SCULPT AT MR. B’S: 6 pm creativity opportunity at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
EVENING SCREAMING: This month’s gathering of Scream Club Seattle on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is at 8 pm.
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)
Three hours of remembering and reconnecting are just wrapping up at West Seattle High School, where alumni from many years gathered for the annual All-School Reunion.
Above, WSHS Alumni Association president Karen (Seamens) Dobbs and Nancy (Rutherford) Sleight led attendees in singing the historic alma mater song. Memorabilia was on display as usual:
And more-modern logos adorned school merch offered for sale:
Along with gathering in the commons …
… people also gathered class by class in smaller spaces including classrooms and the library:
Every year the 50th-anniversary class is spotlighted – that meant this year was the turn for those who graduated in the bicentennial year, 1976. You can read what various classes’ alums are up to – and about this year’s two Hall of Fame inductees – in the latest issue of the Alumni Association publication, the Chinook.
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