Seahawks know they played poorly enough that loss to Giants was decided before blocked kick

SEATTLE (AP) — Two straight sloppy, sluggish starts. Two straight losses.

Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks are already growing tired of a couple bad starts and not being able to complete comeback attempts in the fourth quarter.

“When the game is on the line, it seems like we find ways to get things done, right? But that’s got to be the mentality throughout the entire game," Smith said. "We can’t wait until the end of the game to try and save it. We got to go out and execute for 60 minutes or however long the game is. Today, we didn’t get that done.”

Smith and the Seahawks lost their second straight Sunday, 29-20 to the New York Giants in a game that was filled with concerning moments for a team that less than a week ago was undefeated and in the driver’s seat in the NFC West.

Seattle (3-2) started poorly for the second straight week, and the run game was mostly a suggestion. Seattle’s defense was gashed at times and couldn’t get off the field for most of the first half as the Giants controlled possession.

And there was one big special teams breakdown in the closing seconds when Jason Myers’ 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked after Isaiah Simmons cleanly jumped over the offensive line and Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned the blocked kick 60 yards for a clinching touchdown.

“Talk about not doing things in all three phases to win a football game,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said. “Got to give the Giants credit. They outplayed us today.”

The special teams gaffe will get plenty of attention because the magnitude of the moment where it happened. Guard Laken Tomlinson was pushed down by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, creating a lane for Simmons to jump through and cleanly make the block.

It was a legal play and a highlight moment. It wasn’t the reason Seattle lost.

Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns and while he was sacked three times, Seattle’s pressure on the QB was inconsistent. Rookie backup running back Tyrone Tracy rushed for 129 yards and averaged 7.2 yards per carry.

The Giants rolled up 420 total yards and had more than 37 minutes of possession.

“It’s fundamental football and we’re coming up short. That’s what’s disappointing right now,” Macdonald said.

Seattle’s offense must also find some more balance after two straight weeks where it’s been heavily tilted toward the pass. Smith threw 40 times on Sunday after attempting 56 passes in last Monday’s loss at Detroit. The Seahawks have a combined 30 rushing attempts in the past two games, with nine of those coming from Smith.

“All credit to them, they did a great job of holding on to the ball and keeping us off the field. We couldn’t get into a good rhythm,” Tomlinson said.

And there’s little time to make the corrections. Instead of fully being in control of the NFC West, the two straight losses have amplified the importance of Thursday’s divisional matchup against San Francisco.

“We got to spend extra time whether you’re there early, staying late, as a group just to correct it and honestly be accountable,” Seattle safety Julian Love said. “Every one of us has to look inward and figure out what they can do better. That’s across the defense (and) I’m sure the offense and special teams as well. It takes commitment right now.”

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs with football as New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) tries to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs with the football as New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) pressures during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Dylan Horton took a few seconds to soak everything in after running out of the tunnel Sunday before his first game since recovering from late-stage cancer.

“I was kind of taking in the moment, understanding that there’s been a long journey to get here, but it’s also just the start of where I want to be,” he said.

The defensive end, who returned to practice Wednesday, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes, on Dec. 1. He announced that he was in remission in March.

Horton made a modest contribution to Houston’s 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills, finishing with just one tackle. But simply getting back on the field was a major victory for the 24-year-old after the fight he endured in the past year.

“It’s just a blessing to be out there on the field,” he said. “Especially with the support of my family, friends and the Texans. Just running on the field for that first play was a great feeling.”

Horton had a big group of supporters at the game Sunday, including his parents and girlfriend. Coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this week that Horton’s mental toughness and attitude was an inspiration while he went through his treatments.

Sunday, Horton said he believes that it was that quality which helped him get to this point.

“I feel like the positive attitude is everything,” he said. “Just kind of having that positivity, having it in yourself and spreading it makes it even better.”

Horton felt good after playing his first game since Nov. 19 and said it was so much fun to be back out on the field with his teammates once again.

When asked what the best part of his big day was, Horton was quick with an answer.

“Getting the win,” he said before flashing a huge smile.

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FILE - Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton (92) looks on during an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)