Russell Wilson at his best on Seahawks’ game-winning drive

SEATTLE — Russell Wilson recognized the coverage, he knew it wasn’t the best look for the throw he wanted to make.

But when he saw Percy Harvin break open for a moment, the Seahawks quarterback tried to force a pass into a tight window, and the Broncos made him pay.

“That wasn’t one of my smartest plays,” Wilson said of his fourth-quarter interception, which was tipped by Aqib Talib and intercepted by Chris Harris.

But as uncharacteristic as that play was — “How many times have we ever seen him do that?” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said — and as little as the offense got done in the second half, scoring just three points, the result of a long interception return by Kam Chancellor, Wilson was as good in overtime as that fourth-quarter throw was bad.

In leading the Seahawks to a 26-20 overtime victory over the Broncos, Wilson served notice, yet again, that he so much more than the “game manager” label some like to throw on him to diminish his play.

“Keep talking up Andrew Luck,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris told reporters in Denver’s locker room, speaking of the Colts’ quarterback. “Russell Wilson is better than Luck. No question.”

There are a lot of reasons the Seahawks are 30-10, playoffs included, with Wilson as their starting quarterback. Quarterbacks don’t win games on their own. Yes, the defense and running game have been a big part of Seattle’s success. But don’t sell Wilson’s impact short. His ability to come through under pressure time and time is a huge reason why Seattle is 4-0 in overtime.

And why, when facing the top echelon of NFL quarterbacks — Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady — the Seahawks are 7-0, postseason included, with Wilson throwing 14 touchdowns and 1 interception.

“Russell does not get fazed,” Carroll said. “… He was just fantastic today, just an incredible effort. The finish to that day, making those first downs, just amazing play by the quarterback.

“He’s an amazing football player, he really is.”

Of course the overtime victory wasn’t Wilson’s alone. The defense was spectacular aside from the breakdowns that allowed Denver to drive 80-yards in less than a minute for the tying score. And Marshawn Lynch ran for 88 hard-earned yards, including the 6-yard game-winner. But the final drive was vintage Wilson, with the quarterback completing four of six passes for 35 yards — and one incompletion was a throwaway under pressure — and scrambling for 21 yards on four carries, including runs to convert on third-and-3 and third-and-4.

“I don’t think anyone ever doubts Russell, he’s just too good,” tight end Zach Miller said. “If you think he’s struggling at all, you know he’s going to make plays like he did with his feet that were so huge there in the second half and overtime. We always trust in him, you know he’s going to win the game for you at some point, and if he doesn’t, then they must have done something really amazing.”

Of course, Wilson needed to orchestrate an overtime touchdown drive in large part because he and the offense struggled in the second half. Seattle’s second half possession went punt, punt, missed field goal, safety, interception, punt, field goal, then a kneel down to end regulation after Denver’s game-tying drive. Considering that field goal was the result of a 52-yard interception return, that’s a pretty poor half, and a rather puzzling one as well considering how effectively the Seahawks moved the ball on their way to two touchdowns in the second quarter.

The particularly rough stretch for Wilson and the offense came in the fourth quarter when the Broncos got back in the game in a hurry thanks to Seahawks miscues. With Seattle enjoying a seemingly comfortable 14 point, fourth-quarter lead, Wilson took a sack at his 1-yard line, a play that seemingly saw him hold the ball too long given the situation. After a false start backed Seattle up a few inches, Lynch was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Then after Seattle’s defense came up with another stop following that safety, Wilson’s next pass attempt was the aforementioned interception. That’s nine points gifted to the Broncos in a very short span to make it a one-possession game.

But then, when the game was on the line, when the choices were score a touchdown or take your chances with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on the field, Wilson and Seattle’s offense methodically went down the field on a 13-play, 80-yard drive that saw Wilson account for 56 of those yards.

“There’s really nothing you can say,” receiver Doug Baldwin said of Wilson. “I’m speechless. For him to be as poised as he is back there, making the reads he’s making, and not making bad decisions but making great decisions in every facet, whether it’s throwing the ball or taking off and using his legs to get first downs, it’s unbelievable. … He did a phenomenal job all night.”

Well, not quite all night, but once again, Wilson came through when it mattered most.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.