NEW ORLEANS -- Asked this week what he's done best through four games, Geno Smith noted how well the Seattle Seahawks' offense has moved the chains, a reference to their No. 2 ranking in third-down conversion rate. Smith and Co. did more than just move the chains on their first third-down opportunity Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
The throw, the catch, and the @dkm14 moves to get in!
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/zgFqQP9jTR
Smith got flushed from the pocket and had room to run, but he kept his eyes down field and floated a pass to DK Metcalf, who broke a tackle on his way to a 50-yard touchdown. That gave the Seahawks a 7-3 lead after New Orleans drove for a field goal on its opening drive.
Per ESPN Stats & Information, Smith entered the day completing 77% of his passes from outside the pocket, second-best in the NFL behind Kirk Cousins at 87%.
The Seahawks took a 19-17 lead into the locker room after a back-and-forth first half. It ended with Smith hitting Tyler Lockett for a 35-yard touchdown pass. With 14 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, the Seahawks had to either throw to the sideline to stop the clock or into the end zone. They did the latter, with Smith buying time by stepping up in the pocket before delivering a dime to Lockett, who had gotten a step behind the Saints' secondary.
Lockett Rocket's first TD this season! 🚀
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/aHufQe4NlT
The Seahawks' got the ball back thanks to a timely takeaway from their struggling defense. With the Saints driving, rookie nickelback Coby Bryant forced his second fumble in as many weeks.
Smith is 8-of-13 for 166 yards and two touchdown passes. He nearly had a third touchdown pass, but Metcalf couldn't hang onto Smith's throw in the end zone.
