The Seattle Seahawks may have entered the field today with expectations of dominating the Denver Broncos. While they eventually achieved victory, the game started with a punch to the mouth, as the Broncos dominated the Seattle offense at the line of scrimmage for most of the first half. Despite this, the Seahawks' defense held strong and kept the game close. Finally, after nearly 25 minutes of lackluster offensive production, the Seahawks broke through in the second quarter when starting quarterback Geno Smith scrambled out of the backfield for a desperate yet successful 34-yard touchdown run.

This play seemed to ignite a spark that fueled a completely dominant second half, culminating in Seattle's win. Following Smith's impressive touchdown run, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made key adjustments at halftime, focusing on running the ball to relieve pressure on Smith. The strategy worked, but Smith's statistical performance remained modest. He completed the game 18/25 for 171 yards, with one touchdown, one interception, and a passer rating of 87.2. Given these numbers, grading Geno Smith’s Week 1 performance was challenging, especially considering the poor pass protection he faced.

While we adjusted the grading curve to account for this, early game struggles and middling statistics led to a slightly above-average grade of B-. Although some may view the grade as harsh, it's based on Smith's potential and past performances under heavy pressure. Over the last couple of years, Smith has set a high standard for himself, and this game did not quite meet those expectations. Nonetheless, his efforts and crucial plays ultimately contributed to Seattle's victory, showcasing his resilience and ability to adapt under challenging conditions.