Pete Carroll wasted no time burning through all three of his coaches’ challenges

NFL coaches are given the option to challenge two plays per game — three if they win the first two challenges. Many go the full game without even using one. On Thursday night Seattle coach Pete Carroll used all three of his ... in the first 17:29 of the game.

Carroll challenged the first play just 2:13 into the game. Tyler Lockett gained five yards on a 3rd-and-6. Carroll challenged and Lockett was given six yards and the first down. The drive, however, stalled and Seattle punted four plays later.

With 4:16 left in the first quarter, Carroll threw the challenge flag again. Again to challenge a spot. Los Angeles’ Todd Gurley was given a yard on 4th-and-1, but the call was reversed after the challenge. This challenge likely saved Seattle points as without it, the Rams had a 1st-and-goal at the Seattle 7-yard line.

Carroll managed to get through the rest of the first quarter without burning his bonus challenge, but barely. Doug Baldwin was ruled short of a first down on another third down with 12:31 to play in the second quarter. Carroll again challenged. This time he lost. Seattle went for it on fourth down and converted with a penalty. The Seahawks ended up scoring a touchdown, with no help from the challenge.

Although Carroll managed to win two of the three challenges, Seattle is now in a very vulnerable situation. They can’t challenge for the rest of the game. So any game-swinging plays that happen and aren’t automatically reviewed, would go without a challenge. Scoring plays and turnovers are automatically reviewed, as are plays during the final two minutes of the halves. Still, Seattle could end up on the very wrong side of a bad call, all because Carroll wanted to review three yards worth of rulings.