Seattle proves unable to hold off Henry, Tennessee
SEATTLE — Pete Carroll was sullen, almost in a state of disbelief. Of all the crazy outcomes during his tenure as coach of the Seattle Seahawks, there has rarely been a meltdown like this.
Up 15 points at halftime, leading by 14 points early in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks went on to the kind of loss that could prove rather costly playing in arguably the toughest division in the NFL.
“I don’t think any of us expected to lose a game like that,” Seattle wide receiver Tyler Lockett said.
Unable to contain Derrick Henry at key moments, Seattle lost 33-30 to Tennessee in overtime on Sunday. It was a surprising result after the Seahawks led 24-9 at halftime and 30-16 early in the fourth quarter after Freddie Swain broke free for a 68yard touchdown reception.
It all fell apart with a series of mistakes that encompassed the Seahawks’ entire roster, leading to a stinging setback.
“We did so many good things and then we really hurt ourselves just too many times when you’re playing a good team,” Carroll said.
Seattle lost for just the fourth time in franchise history when leading by at least 15 points at halftime. It was the second time under Carroll that the Seahawks lost a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, the previous time coming in 2015 in an overtime loss at Cincinnati.
Everyone was at fault. The offense couldn’t put together a fourth-quarter drive for a clinching score. The defense couldn’t get enough stops and committed a handful of penalties that extended Tennessee drives.
And special teams became a deciding factor after Jason Myers missed an extra point following Swain’s touchdown that would have restored the Seahawks’ 15-point lead.
“I hate this. I hate having to ... 24-9 at halftime, come on,” Carroll said.
Henry took over down the stretch, rumbling for two fourth-quarter TDs for Tennessee. Russell Wilson and Seattle’s offense had just two first downs on their final four possessions, both meaningless and coming in the waning seconds of regulation. Wilson’s unit went three-and-out twice in the fourth with a chance for a clinching score.