SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks took a bumpy path to sole possession of first place within the NFC West.
Sunday’s 26-21 win over the Jets featured a number of particular groups miscues, together with a 99-yard kickoff return for a landing by New York. On the flip aspect, the Seahawks acquired their second pick-6 in as many weeks and simply sufficient manufacturing by Geno Smith and the offense.
The Seahawks’ uneven efficiency was attribute of a season wherein they began 3-0, then misplaced 5 of six earlier than profitable one other three in a row to take command of their underachieving division. Seattle (7-5) leads Arizona by one recreation, with a matchup towards the Cardinals looming subsequent weekend.
Zach Charbonnet gave Seattle its first lead of the day on an 8-yard landing run with 5:37 to go, and the Seahawks’ protection capped one other robust outing with a game-sealing cease on fourth down. After a sack by Leonard Williams gave the Jets a fourth-and-15 on the 34-yard line, Aaron Rodgers threw a desperation cross to Garrett Wilson that fell incomplete, giving Seattle the ball with 33 seconds left.
What’s working
Williams is on a tear. After dropping out on NFC defensive participant of the week honors final week to teammate Coby Bryant regardless of 2 1/2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits, “Big Cat” had an excellent higher recreation.
Williams completed with two sacks, three tackles for loss, a 92-yard interception return for a landing that was the longest pick-6 in NFL historical past by a defensive lineman, and a blocked further level. The landing was the primary of Williams’ profession. He turned the primary participant since 1982 with a number of sacks, an interception return for a landing and a blocked kick in a recreation.
Possibly this week the league will agree he was the NFC’s greatest defender.
What wants assist
The particular groups couldn’t have been a lot worse within the first half. The Seahawks fumbled three kickoffs, dropping two, and allowed Kene Nwangwu’s 99-yard kickoff return for a TD.
Dee Williams fumbled on a kickoff within the first quarter to offer New York the ball on the 27-yard line, and 4 performs later, Rodgers hit Isaiah Davis for a landing to offer the Jets a 14-0 lead.
Laviska Shenault Jr. muffed two kicks and fumbled on the Seattle 38-yard line within the second quarter. Seattle additionally had an additional level blocked.
Fill up
Smith led his third game-winning drive of the season and his eleventh since he turned Seattle’s beginning quarterback in 2022. Dealing with the staff that drafted him in 2013, Smith went 20 of 31 for 206 yards and a landing. For the primary time in 5 weeks, he was not intercepted.
The Seahawks trailed by 14 factors on two events, however Smith introduced Seattle again whereas avoiding the premature picks that dogged him not too long ago. He threw a 12-yard landing cross to A.J. Barner within the second quarter, and led the Seahawks on a go-ahead nine-play, 71-yard landing drive late within the fourth quarter.
Inventory down
Coach Mike Macdonald and his employees have to deal with the issue with their kick returners, Shenault and Dee Williams. Two misplaced fumbles and several other muffs may have simply price Seattle the sport.
Accidents
WR DK Metcalf left the sport briefly with a knee difficulty however returned. … P Michael Dickson was unavailable within the fourth quarter due to again spasms.
Key quantity: 38
The Seahawks determined to go for it on fourth-and-6 at their very own 33-yard line with 9:34 left within the recreation. A major cause was that Dickson was unavailable to punt due to again spasms.
The Jets have been flagged for having 12 males on the sector after sending a punt returner out, which gave Seattle fourth-and-1 on the 38. The Seahawks acquired a primary down after Jets cornerback Quantez Stiggers was flagged for cross interference on Metcalf, and eight gamers later, Charbonnet scored to place Seattle forward. With out going for it on fourth down from their very own 38, the Seahawks doubtless would’ve misplaced.
Up subsequent
The Seahawks will search a season sweep of the Cardinals on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.