Russell Wilson throws 3 TDs to lead Seahawks past Lions, 28-14
Oct 28, 2018, 10:34 AM | Updated: 2:36 pm
(AP)
The Seahawks’ trip to Detroit represented the first of five straight games against teams with top-level quarterbacks on Seattle’s schedule.
Those five opponents also have to deal with a top-level QB, though, which Russell Wilson made abundantly clear in a 28-14 Seahawks win over the Lions at Ford Field.
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Wilson completed 14 of 17 passes for 248 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, helping Seattle improve to 4-3 on the year.
Not that it was all about the passing game for Seattle. The running attack was just as effective, with Chris Carson topping 100 yards for the third time this year and Mike Davis providing some valuable yardage in a change-of-pace role.
Here’s a quarter-by-quarter look at the Seahawks’ win.
First quarter
Lions 7, Seahawks 0
A lot was made of the quarterback the Seahawks’ defense would be facing heading into this game, and Matthew Stafford wasted no time showing why that was the case.
In Detroit’s first offensive series of the day, the Lions’ veteran QB orchestrated a 13-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that was capped off with a 39-yard pass to Marvin Jones Jr., a perfect example of why Stafford is so dangerous. Seattle defensive end Frank Clark nearly got to Stafford for a sack on the touchdown play, but Stafford was able to move around the pocket and narrowly escape trouble, then stepped up and connected with Jones, who had created separation near the end zone from Seahawks free safety Tedric Thompson.
Stafford didn’t get much help from his ground game on that first series, but he didn’t really need it, completing 5 of 7 passes for 76 yards to open the game.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks managed eight plays in their initial series but stalled out before hitting midfield, though the running game was finding its stride in a promising Seattle drive as the quarter closed.
DET β Marvin Jones Jr. 39 pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 2:15
Second quarter
Seahawks 21, Lions 7
Tedric Thompson is trying to fill some big shoes, taking over Earl Thomas’ spot after the All-Pro suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 4. The second-year free safety caused concern in the first quarter in Detroit, as he was beat deep by Jones and the Lions scored the first touchdown of the game.
But Thompson wasn’t going out like that.
After the Seahawks tied things up early in the second quarter, Thompson forced a fumble on the following kickoff, and Barkevious Mingo recovered it for Seattle. Three plays later, Seattle suddenly had a 14-7 lead just minutes after they had fallen behind 7-0 to the Lions. And before too long, the Seahawks had a commanding 21-7 advantage.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, though, let’s rewind a bit.
The run game got things going for the Seahawks’ offense towards the end of the first quarter, including a 12-yard run by Chris Carson and an 11-yard read-option keeper by Wilson. Then, on the second play of the second quarter, Wilson took a shot deep and found Tyler Lockett for a 24-yard score, the sixth touchdown in seven games for the Seahawks’ top receiver this season.
After Thompson’s forced fumble, Seattle needed all of three plays starting from Detroit’s 34 to get back in the end zone. This time it was a 15-yard pass from Wilson to David Moore, giving the second-year wideout four touchdowns in his last three games.
Just as notable as the touchdowns and takeaway that came before was the fact that the Seahawks forced Stafford and the Lions’ offense into a punt on its second series of the day β an important statement considering how long and effective Detroit’s first drive of the day was.
After a pair of fairly quick touchdown drives, the Seahawks showed they can also take their time and find the end zone. A 12-play, 80-yard series that took 7:16 off the clock ended when Wilson connected with tight end Ed Dickson on a 12-yard touchdown. That was the first reception in a Seahawks uniform for Dickson, a veteran known for his elite blocking ability but whose Seattle debut had been postponed until Sunday due to a groin injury suffered in training camp.
.@DangeRussWilson just threw his THIRD TD of the day!
This one to @EdDickson84!
πΊ: FOX #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/SArmrpc5wi— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2018
It was a huge first half for Wilson, who completed 11 of 12 attempts for 151 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, plus added 11 rushing yards on one carry.
SEA β Tyler Lockett 24 pass from Russell Wilson (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 14:15
SEA β David Moore 15 pass from Wilson (Janikowski kick), 12:42
SEA β Ed Dickson 12 pass from Wilson (Janikowski kick), 2:28
Third quarter
Seahawks 21, Lions 7
The offense continued to roll for Seattle early in the third quarter, but unfortunately it didn’t result in any points. An eight-play, 73-yard series was highlighted by a 42-yard pass to Dickson, but Detroit stuffed Carson on third-and-goal and an apparent touchdown pass on fourth down to Nick Vannett was nullified as it was ruled he stepped out of bounds previously during the play.
Detroit took over at its own 1 after the call on Vannett, and while the Seahawks had the Lions still pinned there on third down, Kerryon Johnson reeled off a 24-yard gain on a quick pass to keep the drive going. Not that Detroit had the ball for much longer β it was forced into a punt after just one more first down.
The Seahawks were driving near midfield as the quarter came to a close.
Fourth quarter
Seahawks 28, Lions 14
Not even a minute into the final frame, the Seahawks scored what turned out to be a pretty important touchdown.
Chris Carson picked up his second touchdown of the season β and crossed the 100-yard mark for the third time this year β on a 7-yard rush with 14:23 left on the clock. That capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive that included a big 45-yard pass from Wilson to Moore, giving the Seahawks 28 points, which kept Detroit from getting no closer than 14 points of the lead the rest of the way.
The Seahawks had a notable injury to worry about midway into the quarter as strong safety Bradley McDougald was shook up with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. McDougald has been a defensive standout for a team that needed it after Kam Chancellor’s career-ending injury last year.
The Lions quickly found a way to exploit McDougald’s absence, as Jones got behind second-string strong safety Delano Hill for a 19-yard touchdown catch.
The good news was that McDougald returned to the game on the next defensive series for the Seahawks.
The Lions were threatening to get back into the game, trailing by a pair of touchdowns and moving into Seattle territory, but Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed poked the ball loose as Stafford tried to run out of pressure. Frank Clark was there for the recovery at the Seattle 47 with 7 minutes to go, allowing Wilson and the offense to milk 2:15 more off the clock before having to punting it back to the Lions.
The Lions got into the red zone on their next series, but the defense had one more big play left in it as cornerback Justin Coleman intercepted Stafford on first-and-goal from the Seattle 4 with 3:08 left.
The Seahawks were pinned deep in their own territory on fourth down with the 2-minute warning coming up, and they had the option of having punter Michael Dickson run around to take more time off the clock and then take a safety. That didn’t end up being necessary, however. Dickson saw an opening along the right sideline and went for it, running for 9 yards and a huge first down that sealed the win for Seattle.
SEA β Chris Carson 7 run (Janikowski kick), 14:23
DET β Jones 19 pass from Stafford (Prater kick), 10:47