Longest Touchdown Drive of the Season Keeps Seahawks in Playoff Race
The Seattle Seahawks fought tooth and nail in the longest touchdown drive of their season, securing a crucial victory to stay in the playoff race. The game was filled with suspenseful moments, as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense had opportunities to intercept their opponent’s quarterback, Drew Lock. However, Lock delivered a stunning pass down the right sideline to D.K. Metcalf, who made an incredible catch over two defenders for a 34-yard completion on a crucial third-and-10 play. This remarkable play put the Seahawks in Eagles territory and set the stage for their eventual triumph.
Lock’s Touchdown Pass and Love’s Interception Seal the Win
A few plays later, Lock once again showcased his skills by tossing a precise pass down the right sideline, this time to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who caught the ball for a 29-yard touchdown. This touchdown gave the Seahawks a 20-17 lead, but with 28 seconds remaining in the game and the Eagles possessing three timeouts, Jalen Hurts had an opportunity to bring his team into field goal range and potentially force overtime. However, safety Julian Love, who had already intercepted a deep ball earlier in the second half, dashed across the field to make an outstanding pick, denying the Eagles the chance to score. This pivotal interception secured the Seahawks’ much-needed win and catapulted them to a 7-7 season record, snapping a four-game losing streak. On the other hand, the Eagles find themselves in a three-game rut with a 10-4 record for the year.
Suspense Leading Up to the Game
The quarterback situation for both teams added an intriguing element to the Monday night matchup. Jalen Hurts, plagued by flu-like symptoms, traveled separately from his Eagles teammates due to his worsening condition. Meanwhile, Drew Lock, who had been given first-team reps all week for the Seahawks, faced competition from Geno Smith, who worked out pre-game and was active. Ultimately, Lock started the game, while Hurts played despite his illness. The uncertainty surrounding both quarterbacks only added to the anticipation of the match.
Hurts’ Impressive Performance and Signature Plays
Hurts defied expectations and displayed solid play during the game, despite his sickness. He led the Eagles on an impressive 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on their first possession. Hurts himself ran into the end zone on a designed play, scoring the first six points of the game. Later in the game, the Eagles utilized their signature play, with Hurts being pushed over the goal line for another rushing touchdown. However, a false start penalty prevented them from scoring on a similar play in the first half, leading to a Jake Elliott field goal instead.
Seahawks Gain Momentum with Strong Second Half
Despite the Eagles dominating the time of possession early in the game, the Seahawks managed to turn the tide with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in the second half. Running back Kenneth Walker III played a crucial role, contributing both as a runner and a receiver. Walker touched the ball on five of the nine plays, including a 23-yard rush for a score, which marked his first rushing touchdown since Week 6 of the season.
Controversial Fourth-Down Decision and Timeout Call
In the fourth quarter, with hopes of tying the game, the Seahawks found themselves facing a third-and-2 situation from the Philadelphia 18-yard line. Lock was hit during the play, and it appeared that he threw an incomplete pass intended for Walker. Head coach Pete Carroll decided to go for it on fourth down, but with the play clock running down, he called a timeout. However, it was later revealed that Lock had been sacked by Jalen Carter before attempting the pass, making the timeout unnecessary. If Carroll hadn’t called the timeout, it is uncertain whether the Seahawks would have faced the same nail-biting end to the game.
Key Performances and Statistics
Lock had a solid night, completing 22 of his 33 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown. Walker contributed with 86 rushing yards on 19 carries, including a touchdown of his own. Metcalf was the Seahawks’ leading receiver, making five catches for 78 yards, including the crucial 34-yard reception that set up the touchdown pass. On the Eagles’ side, Hurts completed 17 of his 31 passes for 143 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass, instead relying on his rushing ability to score two touchdowns and amass 82 yards on the ground.
