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Real Russell Wilson comes back late but final 2-point pass picked off, Seahawks lose 17-15

Russell Wilson emerged from a stone-silent locker room in the D.C. suburbs. Inside, he’d just told his teammates he was proud of them — and that the Seahawks’ problems were on him.

Coach Pete Carroll said the quarterback and captain “held himself accountable” after Seattle’s latest defeat in a lost season.

Showered and changed into a black shirt and camel-brown overshirt almost 90 minutes after his final pass got intercepted — his third end-zone interception in three games since returning from surgery on his throwing hand — in the Seahawks’ bitter, 17-15 loss at Washington, Wilson’s eyes said more than his many words.

They were noticeably moist and reddened.

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Since his return from surgery, Wilson continues to miss throws he’d made for his first 10, wondrous years leading Seattle to Super Bowls and titles and glory. He missed tight end Gerald Everett wildly high then wide in Monday’s first half. He threw inside on third down when Tyler Lockett ran outside.

His final throw, on a two-point conversion try after a miraculous drive 96 yards to a touchdown with 15 seconds left Monday night, was late. It was after DK Metcalf was open on the far right of the end zone, then Freddie Swain was open behind him in the middle. It was intercepted.

Asked how Wilson looks to him after Seattle went 2 for its first 10 on third downs and didn’t score from the second quarter until their last offensive scrimmage play, Everett said: “You got guys coming after him from everywhere, every angle…

“We struggle in (pass) protection. And the whole league knows that.”

Yet Wilson says it’s not his finger that’s limited him and the offense to 26 points total in his three return games; “I feel good.”

And ...

“It’s not the O-line’s fault. It’s not the O-line’s ...,” Wilson said, his voice trailing off.

“I can be better.”

Can. Has. Must.

But now, with six games left and the Seahawks at 3-8, there’s not much left for it to matter.

“It stinks,” Carroll said. “It really does stink.”

As Monday night became Tuesday morning outside D.C., Seahawks captain Bobby Wagner rubbed his eye while trying to find the right words about the defense again being on the field for more than 40 of the game’s 60 minutes.

“It’s been a hard season, for sure,” he said.

Jamal Adams, who had his second interception of the season in the first half, was late into the locker room following the game. He missed Wilson’s words to the team.

Because the star safety was crying on the field.

“I was in some tears,” Adams said. “I was frustrated … everybody is pissed off.

“But no one cares…

“I just hate losing.”

He’s got company — in losing, and in hating.

“Pretty quiet right now,” Carroll said. “Guys don’t have a lot to say.

“I’m not going to accept this in any way,” Carroll said, his voice gaining emotion, “other than to keep frickin’ battling. ...

“And I count on them going with me.”

Wilson had one last chance to redeem himself — and the Seahawks’ season.

But he had to go 96 yards. With 2:19 left and one time out, down by eight points.

At that point, Wilson had 16 yards passing in the second half. Seattle hadn’t scored since defensive end Rasheem Green ran back a blocked extra point for two defensive points with 3 minutes left in the second quarter.

But Wilson resurfaced.

He converted three third downs — one more than he had all night. With 15 seconds left, Wilson found Freddie Swain wide open for an improbable, 32-yard touchdown.

Down 17-15, the Seahawks had Metcalf on a long crossing route from left to right in the end zone and Swain crossing behind him on the two-point conversion try for the tie. Wilson didn’t see Metcalf open late in his route, far to the right of the end zone. And he didn’t see Swain earlier than he threw the ball to him.

By the time he did, two Washington defenders were there. Kendall Fuller intercepted the pass.

Swain, the team’s sixth-round pick in 2020, said he thought Wilson was forced up in the pocket by pressure at the time Swain was open in end zone earlier on the decisive, two-point play. That backs up Everett’s assertion that much of Wilson’s trouble is he is constantly under heat while throwing.

“I was open,” Swain said outside the locker room. “That happens. It’s football.”

Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Freddie Swain (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington won 17-15. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Freddie Swain (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington won 17-15. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

On a desperate onside kick attempt, Seahawks defensive back Gavin Heslop recovered. But Seattle was penalized for an imbalanced kickoff formation, part of the NFL’s legislating the onside kick almost to an impossibility. The side opposite the onside kick didn’t have enough players, five outside the hash marks to the right sideline. Special-teams captain Nick Bellore, a first-time Pro Bowl selection last season, appeared to be in the wrong spot the Seahawks practice every practice day.

That’s how teams get to be as sunken as Seattle is now.

Washington recovered the re-kick. And that left the Seahawks 3-8 with six games remaining in the season. The final of seven playoff positions in the NFC is currently at 5-6.

It’s to the point now that Carroll, for the first time since before he took over this franchise in 2010, is talking about playing the rest of this season for, yes, pride.

What kind of new challenge is this for the 70-year-old Carroll to keep these players from checking out in December?

“That’s not going to happen. I just don’t feel like that,” Carroll said. “I know these guys too well. I know their heart. They know my heart. We’ve been battling for a long time together. And we’ve got leadership that, there is just no room for that to happen.

“We are going to play for the pride of it. And we are going to play for the people we are, and represent.”

Seattle had not crossed midfield from the second quarter until Wilson’s final drive.

On a first third down, Lockett acted his way dramatically into a pass-interference call, and Seattle’s third first down in 11 conversion tries.

On third and 8, Wilson hit Metcalf for the first time all night, for 13 yards. First down Seattle with 62 seconds left, from the Washington 43.

But two points was too much.

The question all week was simple and decisive: Would the Seahawks get a markedly better, returned-to-normal Russell Wilson in his third game back from finger surgery?

Would Taylor Heinicke, from Old Dominion with four career wins and the NFL’s only undrafted starting quarterback, out-play the record-setting, 100-win, Super Bowl-champion Wilson?

The answers, ultimately:

No.

And, for all but the final drive, yes.

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrating a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrating a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

Heinicke completed 27 of 35 passes for 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Wilson completed 20 of 31 throws for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Almost all of the positives in those numbers came on his final, frantic drive.

Carroll was asked after the game if Wilson is anywhere close to what he should be or has been in his glorious past.

“The results aren’t showing that,” Carroll said. “He’s got to do better. I’ve got to do better.

“We’ve all got to do better.”

As Seahawks general manager John Schneider said before this latest face-plant by Wilson and his offense: “It’s just been a very, very odd year for us.”

Very odd, and awful.

Six games remain. Only wins in all six, beginning Sunday at home against hot San Francisco (6-5), the current six seed in the NFC’s race for seven playoff spots, gives Seattle any chance at its ninth postseason in 10 years.

The way they are playing, the way Wilson is looking, the way his eyes looked early Tuesday morning, that ain’t happening.

Green’s gem

Defensive end Green kept Seattle in the game into the second half. He blocked an extra-point kick attempt on Washington’s go-ahead touchdown late in the first half, scooped up the ball and ran about 70 yards to the opposite end zone for two points for the defense, per an NFL rule change six years ago.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green (94) runs with the ball to score a safety after blocking extra point attempt by Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. Giving chase is Washington Football Team tight end Sammis Reyes (80). (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green (94) runs with the ball to score a safety after blocking extra point attempt by Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. Giving chase is Washington Football Team tight end Sammis Reyes (80). (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

Instead of being down 10-7 into the third quarter, the Seahawks were tied at 9.

It was the first time in Seattle history the team scored while defending a point after touchdown.

Third downs. Again.

Complete malfunctioning on third downs continued for the Seahawks.

On one in the third quarter, multiple offensive players didn’t move with the snap. Wilson rushed a throw to Lockett that sailed, errant again, inside. Lockett ran outside, nowhere near the pass. It was almost intercepted. Michael Dickson punted again with Seattle still down 17-9.

In the first half, Wilson twice overthrew tight end Everett by plenty on third downs.

Washington twice punted on fourth and short in the middle of the field in the third quarter, because coach Ron Rivera felt confident his defense would continue to throttle the Seahawks offense. On the final play of the third quarter, Washington sent a double defensive-back blitz. Wilson had no chance and was sacked immediately.

It was the fifth consecutive drive the Seahawks’ offense went three and out. They gained a grand total of 25 yards on those drives spanning the second into the fourth quarters.

Yet Wilson also threw his best pass since his return this month. In the first half, he saw Everett covered by two defenders near the goal line. Wilson fired a dart past the first defender’s hands onto Everett’s. The tight end had no choice but to catch the touchdown throw. Seattle led 7-3.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett (81) leaping into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett (81) leaping into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The game began by continuing Seattle’s season-long, losing pattern: a three and out on offense; a long, 15-play scoring drive allowed by the defense.

Yet from there the Seahawks’ defense showed improvement.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks had perhaps his best game of his two-year career. Last year’s first-round draft choice ruined multiple screen passes Washington kept throwing, because foes have feasted all season on those against Brooks and Seattle. Brooks was deftly shedding blockers, making sure tackles and showing far better awareness of the screens as they were developing.

Washington threw seven screen passes in the first 2-1/2 quarters.

Brooks’ great open-field tackle on a sweep run forced a third and goal for Washington in the first quarter. Then end Kerry Hyder, who hasn’t done a ton as Seattle’s pass-rush import from San Francisco this past offseason, pressured Heinicke on a four-man rush on third and goal from the five. That forced an incomplete pass, and Seattle held Washington to a field goal.

Striped

All of the game’s first five penalties being on Seattle only told part of the story how the Seahawks were victimized by officiating decisions Monday night.

In the third quarter, Seattle’s defense took away Heinicke’s first and second reads trying to throw on first and goal from the 10. Darrell Taylor was crashing in on the quarterback when Heinicke chucked the ball way out of the back of the end zone incomplete. He was not outside the tackle box when he threw the ball away, the rule-book requirement to avoid a penalty for intentional grounding.

Referee Clay Martin, responsible for that call, looked the other way.

Instead of second and longer on a loss-of-down penalty, Washington scored the go-ahead touchdown on the next play: a 10-yard run off right tackle by former Seahawk J.D. McKissic inside All-Pro linebacker Wagner.

Seattle trailed 17-9 on the successful two-point conversion Washington ran, because kicker Joey Slye injured his hamstring slipping on the grass as he kicked off in the second quarter.

With 91 seconds left in the first half, on a third and 9 for Washington, Seattle nickel defensive back Ugo Amadi was called for his fourth defensive-holding penalty in 11 games. It was again on third down, extending Washington’s drive and part of Seattle allowing five conversions in its first eight third downs defensively.

Amadi begged the three officials manning the secondary on the pass play that was otherwise incomplete to call the penalty. He grabbed his receiver on both his shoulders down the field. Any contact on a receiver beyond 5 yards past the line of scrimmage is illegal, by the NFL’s offense-favoring rules.

Later in that drive, Green was called for roughing the passer hitting Heinicke from behind just after he threw. Carroll said Green made a concerted effort to not land all his body weight on the quarterback, showing he knew the rule while making an aggressive, otherwise legal play.

“We get it,” Carroll said of the roughing-the-passer penalty Seattle practices to avoid. “We’d like to get the benefit of that.”

The penalties on Green and Amadi resulted in Washington’s go-ahead touchdown late in the second quarter.

“The refs, they missed a lot of calls tonight,” Everett said. “Washington made plays. We didn’t execute” until the end.

Diggs’ price soaring

Quandre Diggs “held in” this summer, in hopes of forging a new contract from the Seahawks.

They chose to wait. They didn’t pay him a new contract for 2022 and beyond. They added guaranteed money for him this year. His contract still ends after this season.

And his price is still going up.

The Pro Bowl safety raced over from the middle of the field late in the second quarter and slammed into Washington tight end Logan Thomas as he was attempted to catch a pass Wagner had tipped just in front of him. Diggs’ hit on Thomas caused the ball to plop straight into the air at the Seattle 11-yard line. Adams ran up from behind the unknowing Thomas to intercept the pass and deny Washington a score.

It was Adams’ second interception this season.

But it was Diggs who again made the big play.

“Phenomenally timed hit,” Carroll said. “The way football is supposed to be played.”

The Seahawks’ offense squandered the turnover. After a 39-yard pass from Wilson to Tyler Lockett across the field on play action began the ensuing drive, Alex Collins caught a pass in the left flat but on his run allowed Washington safety Landon Collins to punch the ball from his left arm at the Washington 37. The defense recovered, and Seattle lost a chance to add to its 7-3 lead.

Asked last month if he believed the Seahawks would take care of financially with a new deal after this season, Diggs said, “We’ll see.”

“In my mind, nobody can tell me I’m not the best in the league.”

Unique punter (continued)

Michael Dickson pulled off something I’ve never seen in an NFL game during the first half.

He received the snap from Tyler Ott with his shoulders oriented to the right. Washington return man DeAndre Carter raced over to that side of the field to grab the punt. But Dickson switched and punted to the left instead. Carter was no where near it when the punt landed for Seattle to down inside the 20.

It was a no-look punt, like a point-guard in basketball, or Patrick Mahomes throwing a trick pass for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dickson punted eight times for an average of 50 yards per boot.