SEATTLE — For the third week in a row, the Seahawks fell short, losing to division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Terry Hollimon says players on both sides of the ball will have to step up for the Seahawks to get back in the win column.
“The offense has struggled a little bit all year, but if I had to change anything about this team right now, if I had to focus on one area, it would be the defense,” Hollimon said.
The defense has dealt with injuries, including linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. In Thursday night’s game, Hollimon says the squad missed tackles and assignments and gave up big plays.
“That’s what the 49ers were able to do against the Seahawks, and it was detrimental,” he said.
The offense again struggled with the run game, and Kenneth Walker III rushed for only 32 yards. Geno Smith threw two interceptions, and the team lost the turnover battle.
“You look at the interception ratio that the Seahawks have,” Hollimon said. “First of all, we’re not getting interceptions on defense, and we’re making a lot of interceptions on offense.”
Though Hollimon doesn’t have a player of the game this week, he does have a play of the game. Laviska Shenault Jr. had a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown.
“That’s what NFL fans have been waiting for a long time,” he said. “That’s why they changed the rules to get some of those exciting returns.”
The Seahawks will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Sunday after a longer practice week. The Falcons have a strong run game and a productive quarterback in Kirk Cousins.
“Seahawk fans, just temper your expectations a little bit,” Hollimon said. “The Atlanta Falcons are playing really good football right now.”
The Seahawks will look to clean things up on defense and win the turnover battle on both sides of the ball, and Hollimon is staying positive.
“I’m a Seahawk fan, win, lose or draw, so we’re going in with great expectations,” Hollimon said. “We’re going to win this one.”
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Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.