Fast Facts: Russell Wilson injures finger, Seahawks lose to Rams 26-17
Oct 7, 2021, 8:29 PM | Updated: 9:23 pm
Thursday Night Football usually brings out the weirdest games of the NFL season, and that was certainly the case for the Seahawks in Week 5.
Rams 26, Seahawks 17: Instant Reaction | Box score
First, the Seahawks had to finish a game with Russell Wilson on the bench due to injury for the first time in his career. Second, Seahawks punter Michael Dickson punted the ball twice on the same play. And finally, Seattle lost for the first time ever in their Action Green jerseys as the Los Angeles Rams handed them a 23-17 defeat at Lumen Field on Thursday night.
The big story of the game is obviously the state of Wilson’s middle finger on his right hand, which appeared to be dislocated on a pass attempt in the third quarter. Though he played another series after the injury, he was eventually replaced by backup QB Geno Smith. And while Smith led Seattle on two scoring drives, it wasn’t enough as the Seahawks fell to 2-3 on the season while the Rams moved to 4-1.
Here’s a look at the fast facts from the game.
Scores and key plays
• First half
It was slow going for both offenses after the short week going into the Thursday night game, with neither team finding the end zone until midway through the second quarter. On the way there, there were three straight punts to start the game, a failed attempt on fourth down by the Seahawks, an exchange of interceptions, and one more Rams punt.
Seattle finally broke through after getting a gift of 47 yards due to a pass interference call, setting up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to DK Metcalf.
Gorgeous angle of the first points of the night 🔥 @DangeRussWilson @dkm14 #Seahawks
📺: #LARvsSEA on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: NFL App pic.twitter.com/BpvwB84a9m— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
Los Angeles got on the board late in the second quarter after a long, 14-play drive with a 31-yard field goal by Matt Gay, cutting the Seattle lead to 7-3.
The Seahawks nearly built on that lead just before halftime, but an apparent 15-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett was called back on a rare holding penalty on left tackle Duane Brown. To make matters worse, Jason Myers missed a 35-yard field goal wide left just a few plays later with only seconds to go before halftime.
• Second half
The Rams’ offense got going in the third quarter, while Seattle’s struggled to get back in the end zone.
After Seattle punted away on the first series after halftime, Los Angeles put together an eight-play, 96-yard drive and took a 9-3 lead on a 5-yard Darrell Henderson touchdown run (Gay missed the extra point). DeSean Jackson had the big play of the drive, a 68-yard reception.
Big play for @DeSeanJackson10 & the @RamsNFL! #RamsHouse
📺: #LARvsSEA on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: NFL App pic.twitter.com/C2WHzlXEM1— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
The Seahawks couldn’t answer and went three-and-out, but the big story was Wilson’s right middle finger colliding with Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald’s outstretched hand on a pass attempt, resulting in some sort of dislocation that garnered a lot of attention while he was on the sideline and eventually ending his night.
A 13-yard Tyler Higbee touchdown catch put the Rams up 16-7, but the Seahawks’ offense was at least sparked by Geno Smith in his first action in a meaningful Seahawks game that wasn’t a blowout. The veteran backup led Seattle on a 98-yard drive, completing all five of his attempts for 72 of those yards including a 23-yard touchdown strike to Metcalf, to cut Seattle’s deficit to just two points.
Stay in the fight. @GenoSmith3 to @dkm14 for SIX!
📺: #LARvsSEA on FOX, NFLN, Prime Video pic.twitter.com/7ermFA9SEv
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 8, 2021
Unfortunately the Rams faced little resistance on the their next series, slicing through a tired Seahawks defense on a six-play, 73-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 2-yard Sony Michel run. The extra point was good this time, pushing Los Angeles’ lead to two scores at 23-14.
Seattle got into the red zone with less then three minutes left but had to settle for a 32-yard Myers field goal to make it a six-point game and hope for one more shot at the end zone before the Rams found it again.
The Seahawks did get a stop and the ball back, but Tyler Lockett fell on his route on the first play of Seattle’s next series and Smith was intercepted by Nick Scott.
PICKED. #RamsHouse
📺: #LARvsSEA on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: NFL App pic.twitter.com/Zx3BcZB3tz— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
The Rams tacked on a field goal for good measure to lock up the 26-17 win.
Seahawks and Rams standout players
Metcalf had the biggest game for the Seahawks, making five receptions for 98 yards and catching both of Seattle’s touchdowns.
Wilson finished 11 of 16 for 152 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. Smith had 131 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 10-of-17 passing.
With Chris Carson inactive due to a neck injury, Alex Collins led Seattle’s rushers with 47 yards on 15 carries.
Jordyn Brooks led the Seahawks’ defense with 11 tackles. Darrell Taylor had the lone sack of Stafford on the day, while Quandre Diggs had an interception.
For the Rams, wide receiver Robert Woods had a huge game with 150 yards on 12 receptions (14 targets). Cooper Kupp added 92 yards on seven catches.
Darrell Henderson led all rushers with 82 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Stafford completed 25 of 37 attempts for 365 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Aaron Donald and Terrell Lewis each had a sack, and Nick Scott and Troy Reeder each made an interception.
Up next
The Seahawks will be in primetime again after an extra few days off when they take on the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 5:20 p.m.
Radio coverage will be carried on 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio 97.3 FM beginning with the pregame show at 2 p.m. that afternoon.
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