The Seattle Seahawks probably couldn't have drawn up a much better opening seven minutes to their preseason ... and the next 53 told a much different story.
Seattle opened Saturday night's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with a 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, only to watch Dallas score the game's final 17 points in a 17-7 loss.
Drew Lock finished 9-of-13 for 40 yards and Seattle's lone touchdown, while Jalen Milroe went 5-of-8 for 36 yards and added another 36 yards on five carries. George Holani led the Seahawks with 42 rushing yards, while Tyrice Knight paced the defense with 10 tackles and two passes defended.
FIRST QUARTER:
The Seahawks couldn't have asked for a much better start to Brian Fleury's first game calling plays after opening the night with a 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that ate 7:18 off the clock.
Drew Lock capped the possession with a five-yard touchdown pass to Foster, while George Holani received six carries as Seattle established the run early.
The Seahawks' second possession went nowhere ... but Tyrice Knight did set the tone defensively as Dallas struggled to get much going on the ground.
The Cowboys' second drive extended into the second quarter as Seattle held a 7-0 lead.
FIRST QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. George Holani could play a role if called upon - Holani received six carries on Seattle's opening possession alone, making his usage worth watching beyond a typical preseason workload.
2. Quite the debut for the new OC - Brian Fleury's first series as Seattle's play-caller lasted 16 plays, covered 80 yards and ate 7:18 off the clock before ending in a touchdown.
3. Tyrice Knight was everywhere - Knight made his presence felt throughout the opening quarter, including a strong play in coverage to help force a Dallas punt and repeated involvement against the run.
SECOND QUARTER:
Dallas got on the board following a 17-play, 58-yard drive, but Seattle held the Cowboys to a 29-yard field goal after nearly nine minutes came off the clock.
Jalen Milroe took over for Drew Lock and helped lead an 18-play drive into Dallas territory, only for a holding penalty to erase a fourth-down conversion before Jason Myers ... missed a 45-yard field goal.
The Cowboys capitalized late when Sam Howell connected with Camden Brown for a contested 39-yard touchdown reception to take a 10-7 lead.
Milroe gave Seattle one final chance with a 20-yard scramble, but penalties and pressure derailed the possession before halftime.
SECOND QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Jalen Milroe's legs make an instant impact - Milroe converted third-and-11 with a 12-yard scramble on his first drive and ripped off another 20-yard run in the final minute, showing exactly what his mobility can provide.
2. Tyrice's big Knight continues - Knight's strong first quarter carried into the second, as the linebacker repeatedly found himself around the football during Dallas' lengthy possessions.
3. Get out of your own way! - A holding penalty erased Milroe's fourth-and-2 conversion deep in Dallas territory, while a series of penalties helped destroy another opportunity after Seattle reached midfield in the final 38 seconds.
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THIRD QUARTER:
Dallas dominated the opening portion of the third quarter, marching 98 yards across 18 plays and 7:19 before Milton found Camden Brown an even crazier touchdown grab than the first, extending the lead to 17-7.
Seattle's O answered with only seven yards before punting, but the defense responded by forcing Dallas off the field on its next possession.
Rashad Rochelle's 52-yard punt return then flipped the field ... setting Seattle up in Dallas territory. Lock connected with Foster three times to reach the 6-yard line before the quarter expired.
THIRD QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Seattle's defense finally broke but responded - The 98-yard opening drive was easily its worst sequence of the night, but the next Dallas possession produced only 19 yards.
2. Camden Brown became *the* problem - After the 39-yard TD before halftime, he added a 21-yard catch and another TD on Dallas' opening second-half possession, and this one was even prettier than his first beauty.
3. Rashad Rochelle recaptured the third-quarter momentum with one return - Seattle's offense had accomplished almost nothing after halftime before his 52-yard punt return handed it a short field.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Seattle opened the fourth quarter at the Dallas 6-yard line ... but came away empty after Drew Lock's fourth-down completion to Velus Jones lost four yards.
The Seahawks received an even better opportunity later when Tyrice Harden recovered a muffed punt at the Dallas 5, but three runs moved the ball only four yards before Jalen Milroe was sacked for a 14-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Dallas took over and never gave the ball back, putting together an 18-play, 63-yard drive that drained the final 6:40.
The Cowboys closed out a 17-7 preseason win as Seattle finished the night without scoring after its opening possession.
FOURTH QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Seattle failed to capitalize twice - The Seahawks had possessions begin at the Dallas 27 and 5 following big special-teams plays, yet somehow came away with zero points between them.
2. The goal line blunder was the low point - Seattle needed one yard on consecutive plays after Harden's muffed-punt recovery set up first-and-goal from the 5, but a stuffed run and Milroe's 14-yard fourth-down sack ended its best chance to get back into the game.
3. Dallas slammed the door in one possession - After Milroe's fourth-down sack, the Cowboys held the ball for the final 6:40, converting three third downs and preventing Seattle from getting one last opportunity.
Seattle will look to clean up its mistakes when it heads to Nashville next week, beginning with a joint practice against the Titans. The Seahawks will then face Tennessee on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. PT at Nissan Stadium.
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