EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey—Both teams were sloppy, committing multiple turnovers and costly penalties, but the Seahawks were able to overcome their early miscues while the Jets weren't, and the result was a 26-21 Seahawks victory that improved Seattle's record to 7-5.
Despite trailing 14-0 and 21-7, the Seahawks were able to chip away at the lead, thanks in large part to some big plays by their defense, and by doing so they improved to 4-1 on the road and built a one-game lead on the Cardinals in the NFC West after Arizona's loss to Minnesota.
Here are five rapid reactions to Sunday's win at MetLife Stadium:
- Big cat on the move, and he better be Defensive Player of the Week this time.
Last week, Leonard Williams missed out on NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors despite a dominant performance, because the award went to teammate Coby Bryant, who had a 69-yard pick-six in the win over the Cardinals.
It remains to be seen if Williams will win the award this week, but if he doesn't, it won't be for lack of a big play. At a moment when the game appeared to be slipping out of Seattle's hands due to multiple special teams miscues, Williams came up with a massive, and unexpected, play.
After lining up at defensive tackle, Williams dropped into coverage, a move that fooled Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw a pass that Williams tipped, then intercepted. And Williams wasn't satisfied to just get the takeaway—he took off running, and in the building where he spent the first eight and a half seasons of his career as a member of the Jets and Giants, Williams rumbled 92 yards for the first touchdown of his career.
The play was a big one not just because it was a rare pick-six for a defensive tackle, but also because it kept the Jets from building on a 21-7 lead following a Seahawks turnover, allowing the Seahawks to stay in the game and eventually take a fourth-quarter lead.
Williams later added a pair of sacks, the last of which backed the Jets up for a long fourth down attempt with the game on the line, a play that ended in an incomplete pass. And as if all of that wasn't enough, Williams also blocked an extra point.
Oddly enough, Williams' pick-six was the fourth long interception return touchdown the Seahawks have scored in that particular stadium along with a 94-yarder against the Giants by Brandon Browner, Malcolm Smith's 69-yarder in Super Bowl XLVIII, and Devon Witherpsoon's 97-yarder against the Giants last season.
- Julian Love was all over the field.
While Williams had the biggest play of the game, he wasn't the only former Giant having a good day in his former stadium. Julian Love, who spent his first four seasons with the Giants before signing with the Seahawks, had another really good game in a season full of them.
Love showed range and versatility throughout the game, recording six tackles and two passes defensed, one of them on a hard, but clean, hit over the middle on receiver Garrett Wilson. Most importantly, Love delivered a tough hit on running back Breece Hall to force a third-quarter fumble, a turnover that eventually led to a Jason Myers field goal. Love also had a big stop for no gain on a short pass on the Jets' final possession.
- The defense was outstanding despite some difficult circumstances.
The 21 points the Jets put on the scoreboard wouldn't suggest a dominant outing for the defense, but the Seahawks played a lot better on that side of the ball than the score showed, allowing just 258 total yards and a 5 for 13 third-down conversion rate.
The Jets first touchdown came only after a third-down facemask penalty negated a sack that would have led to a punt, then there other offensive touchdown came on a short field after turnover, and their third touchdown was a kick return.
After those early miscues got out of the way, the Seahawks then shut out Aaron Rodgers and company for two-plus quarters, giving up no points during the entire second half.
- The Seahawks wasted an opportunity in the red zone, but were able to overcome it with a good drive later in the game.
The Seahawks have dealt with some short-yardage issues this season, and that problem showed up again, this time on a third-quarter trip into the red zone. After initially having first-and-goal at the 4, the Seahawks got another set of downs thanks to a pass interference call in the end zone, but with four shots from the 1-yard line, the Seahawks were not able to score, and the drive ended on a sack that lost 15 yards.
Fortunately for the offense, they were able to make up for that with a 9-play, 71-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to get the go-ahead touchdown, an 8-yard run by Zach Charbonnet.
- Special teams play was a mess in the first half.
While the Seahawks ultimately overcame their mistakes and won the game, they made it a heck of lot harder than it needed to be with some significant issues on special teams.
Dee Williams fumbled a kickoff return, setting up a Jets touchdown, then later Laviska Shenault Jr. muffed one kickoff and recovered, only to muff another one later in the second quarter and fumble after picking it up. The Seahawks also allowed a 99-yard kick return score and had an extra point blocked, the kind of mistakes that can often cost a team the game.
It wasn't all bad on special teams for the Seahawks, however. Jason Myers hit a 54-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving him seven made field goals from 50-plus yards this season. That's not only a single-season career best for Myers from long range, it's also the most made field goals of 50 or more yards in a season in Seahawks history. The Seahawks also got a blocked extra point of their own out of Leonard Williams, and Tre Brown made a great open field tackle on punt coverage late in the first half when it appeared there was room for a dangerous return had Brown not made the stop.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) and Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58), Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
