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Packers come from behind to beat Seahawks 27-17

Packers’ James Jones catches a touchdown pass in front of Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman for the game’s first score in Sunday night’s game at Green Bay. (Associated Press)
Packers’ James Jones catches a touchdown pass in front of Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman for the game’s first score in Sunday night’s game at Green Bay. (Associated Press)
Bob Condotta Seattle Times

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Before they can start moving past other teams and up the standings in the NFC West, the Seahawks say they first have to get out of their own way.

“I think we are in our own way right now,’’ said defensive lineman Michael Bennett after Seattle’s 27-17 defeat Sunday against Green Bay. “That’s a great way to put it. As good as that team is, we still had a chance to win the game with as many mistakes as we made.’’

And, Bennett says, the Seahawks believe they will do just that even if they know those on the outside might start to write the obit of a Seattle team that is 0-2 for the first time since 2011.

“I think we can weather the storm pretty easily,’’ Bennett said. “We just have to come back and make sure we stay focused on each other and just keep grinding.’’

It was Bennett’s three offsides penalties in the first half that might have best symbolized what kind of night it was for the Seahawks as they blew a 17-13 lead entering the fourth quarter. It was the third time in the past three games, including the Super Bowl, they have let a foe rally in the final quarter to win.

“Really disappointed in the finish,’’ Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

The Seahawks allowed Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to complete all nine of his passes for 91 yards in the fourth quarter as the Packers outscored the Seahawks 11-0 in the final 15 minutes.

The Bennett offsides penalties helped lead to a 13-3 Green Bay halftime edge. On one, Rodgers – knowing he had a free play – flung the ball down field and drew a 52-yard pass interference penalty on Richard Sherman that led to a field goal.

“I just (messed) up,’’ Bennett said of the offsides penalties.

The Seahawks rallied in the third quarter thanks to the arm and feet of Russell Wilson, who completed eight of 10 passes on the first two drives of the second half – concluding each with touchdown passes (5 yards to Fred Jackson and 13 to Doug Baldwin).

That gave Seattle a 17-13 lead with 6:48 to play in the third quarter.

But the Seahawks allowed the Packers to drive for a field goal. After a Seahawks punt, Green Bay drove for a touchdown to retake the lead.

Then came a sequence Carroll said was pivotal – and in his view, controversial.

Wilson attempted to hit Marshawn Lynch with a screen pass with 6:50 left and the Seahawks holding the ball at their own 42 on first-and-10.

Green Bay linebacker Jayrone Elliott instead stuck his hand out and picked off the pass and rumbled to the 38 where he was hit by Seattle lineman Garry Gilliam, causing a fumble.

The Seahawks protested that Seattle tackle Justin Britt came up with the ball.

But the officials instead ruled Elliott had recovered it himself.

Carroll was equally livid afterward, saying of Britt that “he handed the ball to the official.’’

Carroll, though, agreed there were lots of other issues for the Seahawks.

Seattle lost two turnovers in the fourth quarter and had six penalties for 92 yards.

The Seahawks also couldn’t get much of a conventional running game going, with Lynch held to 41 yards on 15 carries.