Seahawks Overcome Early Chaos to Stun Jets in Week 13
Week 13 saw the Seahawks travel to New York in what could have been a comedy of errors. But despite some early special teams disasters and a 14-point deficit, Seattle rallied behind a dominating defensive performance and the steady hand of Geno Smith to defeat the Jets, 26-21.
Both teams punted on their opening possessions, but the Jets struck first. Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a methodical 14-play, 70-yard drive, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams. Seattle’s Leonard “Big Cat” Williams made his presence felt early by blocking the PAT attempt. Williams also delivered a sack earlier in the drive but was flagged for an inadvertent facemask, extending the possession that led to the Jets’ opening score.
Trouble followed on the ensuing kickoff when Seattle’s D. Williams fumbled, setting the Jets up at the Seahawks’ 27-yard line. Rodgers quickly capitalized, finding Isaiah Davis for a 4-yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion put the Jets up 14-0.
Seattle’s woes continued on the next kickoff when Laviska Shenault muffed the catch but recovered at the 12-yard line. Finally settled, Geno Smith orchestrated a balanced 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, shaving nearly six minutes off the clock and narrowing the gap to 14-7.
Yet another special teams miscue loomed as the Jets’ Kene Nwangwu returned the following kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, putting New York ahead 21-7. The nightmare deepened when Seattle fumbled a third kickoff, giving the Jets prime field position at the Seahawks’ 38.
With Rodgers driving to extend the lead, Seattle’s defense delivered a game-changing play. On 3rd-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Leonard Williams intercepted a Rodgers pass intended for Garrett Wilson and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six, the longest by a defensive lineman in NFL history, turned a potential 28-7 Jets lead into a 21-13 game and completely shifted momentum.
Big Cat’s heroics came with a statement: “I came out today with a chip on my shoulder,” Williams said, referencing being snubbed for Player of the Week honors the previous week. He credited the team’s playoff mindset and defensive cohesion for his success, adding, “My whole defense was running down the field with me, and they were almost more excited than I was.”
Seattle’s defense tightened, shutting out the Jets for the remainder of the game. Williams finished with a blocked extra point, the historic interception return, and two critical sacks on the Jets’ final drive.
On offense, Geno Smith remained poised. In the fourth quarter, he engineered two clutch scoring drives. The first, an 11-play, 39-yard series, ended in a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-16. The second, a 14-play, 6:03 march, culminated in an 8-yard touchdown run by Zach Charbonnet. Jason Myers’ extra point sealed the 26-21 victory.
Despite glaring special teams mistakes, the Seahawks leaned on their explosive defense and resilient offense to secure the win. Smith’s ball security and Williams’ dominance defined the game, as Seattle’s playoff hopes stayed alive with the hard-fought road victory.
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