The way Riq Woolen described his fourth-quarter interception was rather simple.
"He ran an over-route and I'm just fast," Woolen said. "I just chased it down, and the ball was in the air, I caught it, and that was it."
To those watching it unfold, however, the interception, which helped the Seahawks secure a 26-20 win, was anything but routine.
The interception came when Woolen, lined up at right cornerback, chased Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton all the way across the field to undercut a crossing route near the left sideline. It was similar to a play Woolen has made a couple of time in his career, including a pick-six against Detroit as a rookie, but despite Woolen's casual description of the play, it was anything but a simple interception.
"What an incredible play," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "He had that guy man to man and ran all the way across the field on a movement pass. I don't know if you guys can find another play like that ever. That's really hard to do. He's one of the few people on this planet that can make that play. Shoutout to him."
As Macdonald pointed out, Woolen nearly made a similar play in the preseason, but couldn't hang on for the pick.
"He dropped the one in the first preseason game," Macdonald said. "It was different coverage but it was dang near the same play. So I know he wanted another crack at that one. Pretty cool he got that shot."
Asked about that near interception in the preseason, Woolen said, "Honestly, it felt nice, just because I was teasing people on the sideline, because they were like, 'Oh, he should have caught the ball,' like it's preseason. But I was just like, 'When it counts, I'm going to get it.' So today, I just was locked in. When the play came my way, I just took advantage and I got an interception today."
Safety Julian Love, who had an interception earlier in the game, thought he might have another chance to make a play on the ball before Woolen came flying across the field to make the play.
"If you're in man (coverage), and you're an outside corner, and buddy runs a shallow over, that's tough," Love said. (Their receiver) has the leverage on you, he knows where he's going, and you're kind of playing catch up. On that play, I was breaking on the ball, my eyes got big. Out of nowhere, Riq is there and makes the play. That's special. You ask any defensive back in the league, that's a one-on-one play. That's what he needs to bring to the table for us. He has pure speed, he's probably the fastest DB in the league. To trail on that play and make a pick on that, it's huge. I love Riq and love the way he's been approaching each day."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 1 game versus the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) and Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks players at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) and Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
