It was “final week of preseason” sloppiness at Lambeau Field, with the Seattle Seahawks (1-1-1) dropping their last exhibition game 20-7 to the Green Bay Packers (2-1). The story coming into the game was rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe starting and playing the entire way, with fans curious to see how he’d perform. There were more downs than ups, with Milroe losing three fumbles on the afternoon and taking five sacks.
The plus for Milroe was throwing his first NFL touchdown to Cody White, which prevented
a shutout loss and gave Seattle a little something to cheer for. Milroe was 13/24 for 148 yards and a touchdown pass, along with 31 yards on the ground. We did see the Packers start their first-team guys for a couple of series before it was their turn for the backup/reserve procession, and the offensive line wasn’t a whole lot better against Green Bay’s backups.
We’ll wait to see on some injuries that came out of this game to Seahawks players such as Jake Bobo, Tyler Hall, and Nehemiah Pritchett. Bobo’s possible head injury is the biggest concern given he looked like a roster lock and is important to Seattle’s run blocking.
With preseason in the books, it’s time for roster cuts to be made, a practice squad to be formed, and then it’s preparation time for the regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
1st Half
The Packers started with the ball first, playing virtually their entire first-team offense except Jordan Love, who had the day off while Malik Willis started against the Seahawks reserves. Willis threw a terrible pass way overthrown for Malik Heath and seemingly everyone else… except Ty Okada! What a pick! A one-handed snag diving for the ball to get the turnover.
Jalen Milroe played with essentially the same guys he’s been playing with throughout preseason, although Marquez Valdes-Scantling was curiously out there with the likes of Dareke Young and Jake Bobo. Seattle picked up one first down before punting, as Packers starting linebacker Malik Willis sacked Milroe on third down. Shockingly, Green Bay’s first-team defense is a little better than Seattle’s third-stringers.
The Packers were backed up at their own 4-yard line on the next drive, but a brilliant grab by first-round receiver Matthew Golden on Nehemiah Pritchett got them out of the hole. Malik Willis used his legs to scrambles multiple times and drive the Packers inside Seattle’s 5. Damarion Williams was dinged for a DPI on a Romeo Doubs fade, then Shaq Griffin was beaten on a slant pretty easily.
Disaster struck for Milroe after Michael Jerrell was quickly beaten by Brenton Cox Jr, who got the strip-sack on third down. Kingsley Enagbare had the recovery and looked to have a touchdown, but he was ruled down on the recovery.
Instead of a 14-0 hole, the Seahawks defense held the Packers to a field goal. Milroe’s next drive, unfortunately, ended in another turnover. He converted a 4th and 1 sneak but lost the ball in the process.
This did lead to a Packers touchdown, as Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma found a wide open Will Sheppard for the score on 3rd and goal at the 3. Green Bay pounded the rock exclusively until that TD throw, which was way too easy after Keydrain Calligan was beaten.
Seattle’s offense finally showed signs of life when UDFA running back Jacardia Wright busted through on an inside zone handoff for 61 yards inside Green Bay’s 5. A touchdown run by Milroe was negated by a Mason Richman hold, but Milroe was able to get Seattle back to the 3 on a throw to Jake Bobo to set up 4th and goal. Milroe’s throw to Brady Russell was batted at the line, so no points at all.
A scary moment occurred in the closing minutes of the half as Jake Bobo looked to be knocked out on a punt return. He fielded a short punt while Tyler Hall was in the vicinity getting blocked into the receiver. Bobo collided with Hall and lost the ball, which the Packers recovered, and both Bobo and Hall were given medical attention. Eventually, Bobo walked off under his own power while Hall limped to the sidelines.
2nd Half
It was preseason sloppiness to the maximum for both teams, with neither team scoring in the third quarter. Seahawks fans did finally have something to cheer for in the fourth quarter. It started with a 35-yard punt return by Cody White, a nice sight to see given Seattle’s adventures in the return game. Milroe scrambled out of pressure and hit White along the sidelines for a 25-yard gain. A great play on the run by the rookie!
Milroe also darted for 15 yards on a read-option keeper and threw his first NFL touchdown pass to Cody White. It was the Milroe and Cody White show all the way and the payoff was the Seahawks finally putting some points on the board.
Any feint chance of a comeback win was squashed when Milroe nearly got picked off on second down, then a one-handed attempt by Tyrone Broden Jr was unsuccessful (in part because Broden’s other arm was held down). Seattle got the ball back late after a sack by Alphonzo Tuputala, with Milroe converting a clutch 4th down to Cody White again. After the two-minute warning, Mason Richman’s snap went through Milroe’s hands and that’s a wrap for the game. Three fumbles by Milroe and four fumbles overall for Seattle.
Scoring summary and game highlights
1st Quarter: Malik Willis 1-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs – SEA 0, GB 7
1st Quarter: Brandon McManus 48-yard field goal – SEA 0, GB 10
2nd Quarter: Taylor Elgersma 3-yard touchdown pass to Will Sheppard – SEA 0, GB 17
2nd Quarter: Brandon McManus 52-yard field goal – SEA 0, GB 20
4th Quarter: Jalen Milroe 18-yard touchdown pass to Cody White – SEA 7, GB 20
Seahawks injury report
Rookie UDFA defensive end Jared Ivey was low blocked early in the first quarter and limped off the field with an apparent knee injury, but he quickly returned to the game on the same series.
Wide receiver Jake Bobo and cornerback Tyler Hall had the aforementioned punt return collision that led to both of them leaving the game in the second quarter.
Inside linebacker Tyreke Smith did the splits and left the game, but he did return later in the game.
Corners Nehemiah Pritchett and Isas Waxter limped off the field in the opening quarter.
Full Box Score
Next opponent
The Seahawks have next week off, then it’s the real stuff! A home game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:05 pm PT on FOX.
