Seahawks 3 Stars: A kicker, the last TE and Jadeveon Clowney’s best game
Nov 11, 2019, 10:40 PM | Updated: Nov 12, 2019, 10:29 am
Jadeveon Clowney had a sack and a TD on a fumble return in the Seahawks' win. (AP)
(AP)
In order for the Seahawks to pull off a road upset against the San Francisco 49ers, the team needed a little bit of everything in one of the strangest games in recent memory.
Seahawks 27, 49ers 24: Defense makes statement | Recap | 710 Reaction
In the end, Seattle won 27-24 as time expired in overtime despite some self-inflicted wounds – especially on offense.
The team got just enough from its offense (despite four turnovers), some clutch kicking in overtime, some less-clutch kicking from the 49ers and arguably the defense’s best performance of the year.
So who led the way for Seattle? Let’s look at my three Seahawks stars of the game.
Who says hockey is the only sport that can do this?
Honorable mentions
Yes, this is cheating in more ways than one, but we need to give the Seattle secondary some love, especially after they’ve been the topic of discussion for what’s been wrong with the defense this season.
After rough outings where the defensive backs were carved up by some of the NFL’s less-premiere quarterbacks, the back end of Seattle’s secondary stepped up when they needed to Monday night. Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers held their own throughout the game, battling injuries, deflecting passes and limiting big plays. Flowers also had a sack. Safeties Bradley McDougald and Quandre Diggs, who made his Seahawks debut, combined for eight tackles, two pass defenses and a pick (welcome to Seattle, Quandre Diggs).
Their efforts helped slow down the 49ers offense and held quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to 248 passing yards while completing just 52 percent of his attempts, with little to no success downfield.
The Seahawks defense took away the downfield passing attack of Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers offense.
Garoppolo finished 3/18 for 59 yards & INT on pass attempts of 10+ air yards.#SEAvsSF | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/LvGPwgCYYb
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 12, 2019
Third star: Jason Myers
Kicker Jason Myers had a rough start to the season and was coming off his worst game in a Seahawks uniform.
After missing two field goals and an extra point in last week’s overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including one that would have given Seattle the win at the end of regulation, the 2018 Pro Bowl delivered against the 49ers, hitting all three of his extra point opportunities and two field goals with the game on the line.
He made a 46-yarder late in the fourth quarter to give Seattle a 24-21 lead, and then hit a 42-yard try as time ran out in overtime.
THE GAME WINNER.
42 YARDS.@SEAHAWKS WIN! #Seahawks #SEAvsSF pic.twitter.com/FdijK2Nueb
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2019
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the team still supported Myers and had his back despite recent struggles, and that confidence paid off in Monday night’s showdown.
Second star: Jacob Hollister
The defense will likely dominate the news waves after a great performance, but let’s keep it on the offensive side of the ball.
While quarterback Russell Wilson helped orchestrate the final drive that set up Myers’ last-second field goal and running back Chris Carson had a rushing score and picked up some much-needed yards that drained time on the clock, both had some moments that could have cost Seattle the game. Wilson had an interception on the first drive of overtime in addition to a fumble that was picked up by offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, who in turn fumbled himself, allowing the 49ers to scoop the ball up for a touchdown. Carson also had a fumble, his fifth of the season, that was thankfully recovered by the Seahawks.
But for the second straight week, tight end Jacob Hollister was huge for Seattle’s passing attack.
After a career game in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where Hollister brought in four catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning catch in overtime, how could Hollister follow up that performance? Well, how about six catches for 62 yards (both career highs) and the Seahawks’ only receiving score?
A beautiful touch pass by Wilson was one-upped by a fantastic one-handed snag by Hollister as he fell backwards in the middle of the end zone.
.@DangeRussWilson ➡️ @hollister_jacob for SIX!
And we've officially taken the lead. 🙌
Q3: SEA 14, SF 10 pic.twitter.com/ZCjjY5tb3U
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 12, 2019
With Will Dissly out for the season, Ed Dickson not yet activated from the injured reserve and tight end Luke Willson having left the game due to a hamstring injury, Hollister needed to step up. He did that for the second straight week, helping Seattle win a hard-fought battle.
First star: Jadeveon Clowney
Acquired in the offseason from the Houston Texans for a third-round pick and two players, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has had a major impact on Seattle’s defense this year, but Monday was far and away his best game.
Clowney was a force for Seattle, bullying San Francisco’s offensive lineman all night and making life very difficult for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He finished the game with five tackles, five quarterback hits, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery that he returned for Seattle’s first score of the game. It was Clowney’s second defensive touchdown this season.
FINAL: The @Seahawks hand the 49ers their first loss in an OT thriller! #SEAvsSF #Seahawks
(by @Lexus) pic.twitter.com/BlJgDwokGF
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2019
In addition to the great numbers, attention on Clowney allowed for other defensive lineman to excel. Al Woods, Poona Ford and Jarran Reed each had great games, combining for 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble.
Simply put, the Seahawks do not win this game without Clowney, and that trade continues to look like highway robbery in Seattle’s favor.
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