The 17-0 defeat of the Seattle Seahawks at the Green Bay Packers was clear. Pete Carroll still sees partial blame on the referees.

Munich – Anyone who loses 17-0 in the NFL should first think about their own performance. That also applies to the Seattle Seahawks, who actually had hope for a revival of the offence with the returning Russell Wilson.

For the Green Bay Packers, however, not everything should work right away again. If head coach Pete Carroll has his way, this is partly due to the game’s referees. They played a “huge part” in the defeat.

As Carroll told “ESPN”, he had “stomach pains” because of three specific plays: a Wilson scramble in the first quarter, a fumble by Aaron Rodgers and the interception by Kevin King.

On the fumble, Seahawks pro Darrell Taylor would have already had the ball safe, however the referees ruled possession Packers. “Darrell was laying on the ball with his chest, he had it from the first moment,” Carroll fumed. “He’s on the ground, the opponent reaches under him for the ball and then they give it to the offence. That’s such an important decision at that time of the game.”

Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll pissed about alleged interception

The 70-year-old also has to complain about Kevin King’s interception in the Packers’ end zone. At that point it was only 3-0 for Green Bay. Carroll deems the cornerback’s catch out of bounds because the ball was released on the player’s bounce.

“I see the ball on the ground there, the guy has to secure the ball properly first. I don’t understand why the refs didn’t look at it again,” the head coach continues to grumble.

Carroll has known some of the referees for a long time and the mutual respect is there, but they are not on the same wavelength at all times: “That’s for sure, we weren’t yesterday.

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson must shed rust

The Seahawks would have missed big chances to turn the game around on some plays. Russell Wilson also has to take some criticism in the process. “He was ready and he tried everything, but it just wasn’t as clean as we could have used in some spots – it wasn’t just him,” he continued to criticise.

In total, “Russ” could only muster 20 of his 40 pass attempts and threw two interceptions.

With a record of 3-6, Seattle is in a clear chasing position in the race for the playoffs, but can still have hopes due to the density of the NFC. For that to happen, however, Wilson will have to improve. Especially in the strong NFC West, which hardly allows any mistakes with the Rams and the Cardinals.