Geno Smith stepped to the podium with an apology following Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
"First of all, I want to start off by apologizing to my teammates, really, and to the city, to the organization," the Seattle Seahawks quarterback said, via the team's official website. "They put a lot of trust in me with my decision-making, and when they put the ball in my hands, when my teammates play the way they played today and to give us a shot to win the game, I've got to make sure we do. The things I did today, mistakes that I made, they affected us negatively and really cost us the game today.
"Me knowing myself, I know how much this is going to hurt. I'm going to step it up, though. That's how I feel about it. I'm going to step it up."
Smith threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, but his three interceptions sunk the Seahawks on Sunday. The most particularly brutal one came early in the fourth quarter, with Seattle driving to take the lead. Smith felt pressure and forced a pass that was intercepted by Rams defensive back Kamren Kinchens, who raced 103 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Smith continued to battle back despite the errors, including an eight-play, 73-yard drive to force OT, but the miscues stuck with the veteran signal-caller.
"All those situations just led me to think, 'Man, we've got to get it done, I've got to get it done for my guys and for the city,'" he said. "I really feel like I let everybody down today. I really do."
It marked Smith's first game with three INTs since Week 8, 2014, with the New York Jets. The last time he had two fourth-quarter interceptions came in his second career game as a rookie with the Jets in 2013.
The INTs weren't solely on Smith -- one bounded off Jaxon Smith-Njigba and should have been a catch -- and the constant pressure from L.A. took its toll. However, the veteran's willingness to shoulder the blame underscores his leadership in the locker room.
"He made some big-time plays for us," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "It's not easy, didn't have a lot of time back there. They had a good rush plan. We've got to protect him better. And I'm sure he's going to tell you that he's going to take ownership of the three picks. We've got to make smarter decisions in that way. We've got to finish drives. We've got to take care of the football. You guys see it. We see it. We have to be better if we're going to win."
The loss is Seattle's fifth in six games after starting the season 3-0. Macdonald's club now sits in the basement of the NFC West.
