SEATTLE – Coach Mike Macdonald started his post-game press conference Sunday with a promise to Seattle Seahawks fans that the team is doing everything it can to play better at home after falling to 2-4 at Lumen Field this season and overall to 4-5.

Geno Smith started his with an apology.

The veteran quarterback never hesitated to point the finger at himself, showing contrition in addition to his usual responsibility after throwing three interceptions — including a pick-six — in a 26-20 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

“First of all, I really want to start by apologizing to my teammates, to the city and to the organization,” he said. “They put a lot of trust in me in my decision-making, and when they put the ball in my hands, when my teammates play the way they played today and give us a chance to win the game, I have to make sure, the things I today and the mistakes I made had a negative impact on us and really cost us the game today.”

Smith added: “I really feel like I let everyone down today. I really do.”

Smith wasn’t the only reason the Seahawks lost for the fifth time in the past six games, and his first interception wasn’t entirely his fault, as the ball bounced off Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s hands after the receiver tried to adjust to the throw in the air.

Smith’s second interception was the most regrettable, marking what could have been a 14-point swing in the fourth quarter.

With the score tied 13-13, he threw off his back foot on first-and-goal from the 6-yard line, took a hit from outside linebacker Byron Young as he released the ball and was intercepted by safety Kamren Kinchens, who gave it Returned 103 yards for a touchdown.

“I tried to throw it out of bounds, out of the back of the end zone, and a guy hit my arm,” Smith said. “But there are no excuses. I can throw that away, I can get it out sooner, be quicker in my decision-making. I tried to make a play there, held on for a second too long and it didn’t turn out well.”

The Seahawks had a chance to tie the game after receiver Cody White blocked a Rams punt on Los Angeles’ next possession, giving Seattle the ball at the 19-yard line. But Smith was intercepted again by Kinchens at the 4-yard line after his intended target, tight end AJ Barner, was held up while running through the formation toward the flat.

“I tried to get the ball to AJ and thought he was going to slip through there, but it didn’t,” Smith said. “I thought he got caught, but again, that’s no excuse. The ball is in my hands. I get a chance to make a decision, and ultimately my decisions affect everyone, not just myself, and so I have to be better.”

“I’m not just saying that to say it. I really know I can get better. It hurts me, man. It hurts me that I didn’t get it done today.”

Smith threw three touchdown passes, including a 30-yarder to Tyler Lockett and a 24-yarder to Smith-Njigba 44 seconds apart late in the second quarter, giving Seattle a 13–3 halftime lead. Smith-Njigba caught another touchdown pass from 14 yards out in the final minute of regulation to cap his career day (180 yards and two TDs on seven catches) and send the game to overtime.

Smith finished 21 of 34 for 363 yards while under constant pressure. The Rams sacked him seven times, recorded 11 official quarterback hits and pressured Smith on 17 of his dropbacks. According to ESPN Research, that was the second-biggest pressure Smith faced this season.

The Seahawks had to return to fourth-string right tackle Michael Jerrell after George Fant – in his first game back from injured reserve – re-injured the same knee he hurt in the opener.

“He made some big plays for us,” Macdonald said of Smith. “It’s not easy. He didn’t have much time then. They had a good rushing plan. We have to protect him better. I’m sure he will take ownership of the three picks. We have We have to make smarter decisions that way. We We have to finish the races and take care of the football. You see. We have to be better if we want to win.”

On the tying touchdown drive late in regulation, Smith went 4-for-6 for 76 yards and had an 11-yard scramble.

“You have to have a short memory,” Smith said. “Playing quarterback, there’s a lot going on. If you focus on what happened before, it’s only going to negatively impact you. So just move on to the next play and focus on what’s the right decision to make on to take this moment. I know it’s extremely difficult to do… but I’ve been in this league long enough, so I’ve seen and experienced a lot, and I think it helps me move forward. But as long as we I still have a chance, as long as I have a chance, I’ll keep fighting. That’s the way I am. I don’t know any other way, and I’m really in pain.”

The Seahawks’ other mistakes included twelve penalties for 95 yards, a blocked PAT and more issues with the center quarterback exchange, which also plagued them last week in their loss to the Buffalo Bills. One of Connor Williams’ shotgun snaps went right through Smith’s hands, while the quarterback didn’t appear ready for another as the play clock neared zero. Seattle recovered both loose balls, but lost a total of 44 yards.

“Connor is doing great,” Smith said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job. Hats off to the way he plays, how he competes. Nobody’s perfect out there. Nobody’s perfect. I’m not perfect. None of us are perfect, but we compete together and we fight together and there are a lot of things we have to clean up, for sure. But the way we compete, the way Connor competes out there, I’m not going to pay attention to it. Make it right, we’ll make it right.”

According to ESPN Research, the Seahawks are only the second team in the past 10 seasons to start 3-0 and fall to 4-5 or worse in nine games. They joined the 2021 Carolina Panthers, who finished 5-12 that season.

“I think there’s a lot of different contributors, but if I’m honest, man, I could play better and correct a lot of things,” said Smith, who now has 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions this season. “The quarterback’s job is to overcome and ultimately get wins. If we’re in a position to get wins, I have to make sure it happens.”