One year to the day after he broke his leg and dislocated his ankle, Quandre Diggs spent his Monday getting ready for an upcoming playoff game.
And while a lot of people deserve credit for the Seahawks reaching the playoffs, from head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, to numerous players who made big contributions in all three phases of the game, it's safe to say that if not for a single play made by Diggs, the Seahawks might have been clearing out their lockers on Monday instead of prepping for the 49ers in the Wild Card round.
In overtime of a must-win Week 18 game against the Rams, Diggs intercepted a Baker Mayfield deep ball that, had Diggs not intervened, would have resulted in a long catch for receiver Van Jefferson, who very well could have scored on the play, or at the very least put the Rams in range for a game-winning field goal. Instead, Diggs recognized the threat as the play unfolded and Jefferson ran open, he broke on the ball, and then he undercut Jefferson just in time to snag the ball and give the Seahawks possession for what ended up being the game-winning drive.
And for that play, as well as another strong overall performance by the three-time Pro-Bowler, Diggs was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
"Diggs made a heck of a play," defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said. "It was incredible to see him come out of centerfield like that. It was a good scheme by (the Rams)… "It was phenomenal. Ball skills is a unique trait that I think doesn't get talked about enough on the back end, and Quandre's ball skills are through the roof. He's unbelievable with that. That's a lot of space. It's like playing center field in baseball. The ball is up in the air and everybody in the world is looking at you to see if you are going to catch the gosh darn thing and that was a heck of a grab. It's impressive."
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Diggs joked after Sunday's game that he may have said a few bad words when he saw how open Jefferson was, but then he went into action and ended up making the biggest play of his career.
"Oh man, I felt like I was 25 again running and jumping in the air," Diggs said. "For me it was just one of those plays, they drew it up perfect, they got us in the coverage that they wanted us in, and I was able to just go out and make a play. That's probably my favorite interception ever, because just the atmosphere, everything that went along with this game, this interception, it was dope. All I saw was the ball, and I was like, 'I'm going to go get it,' and I was able to go get it and I caught it."
It was the second straight game with an interception for Diggs, who in Seattle's Week 17 game against the Jets became the only player in the league with three or more interceptions in each of the past six seasons, and the first safety since Hall of Famer Ed Reed to have such a streak.
Diggs also helped lead what was a strong overall pass defense, which held the Rams to just 123 passing yards, with Baker Mayfield completing only 13 of 26 attempts with no touchdowns and a 51.3 passer rating.
This is Diggs' first Player of the Week selection, and he is the third Seahawks player to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors along with Uchenna Nwosu in Week 1 and Tariq Woolen in Week 6, and the fifth player to earn Player of the Week honors along with Geno Smith on offense in Week 4 and Will Dissly on special teams in Week 8.
Smith also earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for October, while Woolen and Kenneth Walker III earned NFL Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Month honors in October.
Additionally, Walker III is one of three running backs up for FedEx Ground Player of the Week, an award he won in Week 7.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 18 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on January 8, 2023 at Lumen Field. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor arrives in style for the Week 18 game against the Rams.
Quarterback Geno Smith wears a t-shirt expressing support for injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin.
Seahawks fans express support for injured Bills player Damar Hamlin.
Cornerback Tariq Woolen, a fan favorite, plays "rock, paper, scissors" with a young fan before the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks onto the field during pregame.
Receiver Tyler Lockett runs through the tunnel for pregame warmups/
Cornerback Coby Bryant stays focused during a hard rain during pregame.
Quarterback Geno Smith commands the huddle during pregame 11-on-11.
Seahawks receiving legend and Hall of Famer Steve Largent chats with current receiver Tyler Lockett beforee presenting Lockett with the Steve Largent award during pregame ceremonies.
Seahawks receivers DK Metcalf and Cade Johnson keep things light in the locker room before the game.
Receiver Dareke Young stretches in the locker room before the team took the field.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett talks to the team before they headed to the field for kickoff.
Al Woods and Stone Forsythe lead the team into the tunnel during pregame.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan carries the 12 flag to lead the team out of the tunnel during pregame intros.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in the tunnel during pregame introductions.
The Rams sent out former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner as their sole captain for the opening coin toss. Seahawks fans gave Wagner a hearty ovation on his return to Lumen Field.
Running back DeeJay Dallas breaks into the clear on a long run in the first quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant sacks Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield.
12s recognized Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner on his return to Seattle.
Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen nearly intercepts this pass in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive backs Teez Tabor and Michael Jackson break up a pass.
Seattle's Uchenna Nwosu pressures Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield into throwing an off-balance pass that fell incomplete.
Seahawks returner Godwin Igwebuike gains yards on a kickoff return.
Ricky the weiner dog competes in the Dachshund Races at halftime.
In the Seahawks locker room at halftime, coaches and quarterback Geno Smith confer.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett catches a touchdown pass from Geno Smith in the third quarter.
Geno Smith points to the sidelines after throwing a touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett.
Tyler Lockett celebrates with teammates after his touchdown reception in the second half.
Seahawks defensive players converge to make the tackle.
Seahawks linebackers Bruce Irvin and Uchenna Nwosu converge to sack the Rams' Baker Mayfield.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt calls the defense from the sideline.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson breaks free for a long reception in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith broke the single season for passing yards during the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith uses his legs to gain a first down along the Seattle sideline.
Seahawks defensive players celebrate after Quandre Diggs intercepted a pass, thrwarting a Rams scoring opportunity in overtime.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers and holder Michael Dickson watch as Myers' game-winning field goal gives Seattle the victory in overtime, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is overcome as he leaves the field after the win.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider hugs quarterback Geno Smith as Smith returned to the locker room after the game.
Quandre Diggs is congratulated in the locker room after his interception helped Seattle to the overtime victory.
Seahawks linebcker Darrell Taylor and teammats dance in the locker room after the win.
Members of the Seahawks offensive unit pose for a group photo after the victory.
Safety Quandre Diggs and head coach Pete Carroll joke around in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks to his team after the game.
Quarterback Geno Smith calls the team up after their postgame meeting in the locker room.
Receiver Tyler Lockett and head coach Pete Carroll talk in the locker room after the game. Lockett tallied his fourth season with 1000 receiving yards.
Long after the sellout crowd had dispersed, the scoreboards at Lumen Field had a message for the Detroit Lions, whom the Seahawks needed to win in order to make the playoffs.
Seahawks players gathered at a local restaurant to watch the Detroit vs. Green Bay game. A loss by the Packers would catapult the Seahawks into the playoffs.
Darrell Taylor and some defensive teammates react as they watched the Detroit Lions defeat the Green Bay Packers, launching the Seahawks into the playoffs.
