The Seahawks suffered their first loss and lost to the Lions 42:29

DETROIT – The Seahawks started Monday night’s game with a lot of opponents, especially the absence of five of their best defensive players. Still, the Seahawks, led by Geno Smith and an offense that racked up 516 total yards, showed plenty of fight until the end. Ultimately, Seattle’s undermanned defense failed to get the stops they needed and the Lions prevailed with a 42-29 win that dropped Seattle’s record to 3-1.

Here are six quick reactions to Monday night’s loss at Ford Field:

1. The Lions were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air against Seattle’s undermanned defense.

The Seahawks’ defense was outstanding earlier this season under the leadership of Mike Macdonald, but they were missing some very important players on Monday night. Fullbacks Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe were both out with knee injuries, while defensive players Leonard Williams (ribs) and Byron Murphy II (hamstring) were out with injuries sustained in last week’s win. And as if all the injuries the Seahawks suffered early in the game weren’t enough, they also lost Julian Love to a hamstring injury and played the entire second half without their Pro Bowl safety.

And as much as coaches and players don’t want to use injuries as an excuse, that’s a lot of talent that’s missing against an offense as potent as Detroit’s. With one of the league’s more balanced offenses, the Lions were able to get the running game going early, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 88 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in the first half.

The Lions were also dangerous through the air, especially in the second half, getting big plays including a 40-yard tackle break catch-and-run by Montgomery and a 70-yard touchdown reception by Jameson Williams after a crosser that was a perfect counter to a Seahawks blitz. Lions quarterback Jared Goff finished his day going a perfect 18 for 18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown on a trick play.

2. Geno Smith was great again in Detroit, but this time it wasn’t quite enough to win.

The Seahawks won two shootouts in Detroit in 2022 and 2023, and in both games Geno Smith was fantastic, passing for a total of 648 yards and four touchdowns in those victories without turning the ball over and also adding a touchdown run in the first game.

In his third trip to Detroit in as many years, Smith had another outstanding performance, but this time it wasn’t quite enough for the Seahawks to overcome a big day from Detroit’s offense and a costly fumble by DK Metcalf in the first half.

Smith was sharp throughout the game, completing 38 of 56 passes for a career-high 395 yards, including a touchdown pass to AJ Barner, the first career score for the rookie tight end from Michigan. Smith was intercepted at the end of the game trying to make something happen with a two-point deficit, but otherwise he was nearly flawless. Smith also had to use his legs in the pocket quite a bit to buy time against a dangerous Lions pass rush, making several impressive throws on the move after dodging the initial pressure, and he rushed for another 38 yards.