With all the points the Seattle Seahawks were scoring this season, it was easy to overlook their defense. They were excellent against the run, but Seattle's pass defense had been struggling. However, on Monday night, a new "Legion of Boom" appeared and wreaked havoc on Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.
Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon stole the spotlight with a spectacular 97-yard interception return late in the third quarter, while the Seahawks' defense tied a franchise record with 11 sacks, sealing a convincing 24-3 victory over the struggling and offensively inept Giants.
“We’re just getting going,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “A night like this for our defense to play that explosively. I can’t remember seeking double-digit sacks.”
The Seahawks' dominance began early in the game when Geno Smith connected with DK Metcalf for a 6-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter, following a strip-sack by defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. The defense continued to shine as Kenneth Walker III added a 1-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime, giving the Seahawks a comfortable 14-3 lead.
A fourth-quarter interception by Quandre Diggs set up a 34-yard field goal by Jason Myers, securing Seattle's sixth consecutive victory at MetLife Stadium, including their historic Super Bowl win over Denver following the 2013 season.
Besides the sacks, Seattle held New York, who played without star running back Saquon Barkley for the second straight game, to just 248 total yards, a paltry 6-of-16 conversion rate on third downs, and forced three turnovers. The defensive effort was led by Bobby Wagner, who recorded not only 17 tackles but also two sacks. Jordyn Brooks, Devon Witherspoon, and Uchenna Nwosu each contributed with two sacks, adding to a relentless pass rush that kept Jones on the run.
“I think we needed it. Easy game defensively,” said Wagner. “We’ve been getting better. We’ve done a good job stopping the run, but the thing was applying pressure. The last game we had a lot of pressures but not as many sacks. I think this game we turned those pressures into sacks.”
While the Seahawks' defense was stealing the show, the Giants' offense struggled mightily for the second consecutive game without Saquon Barkley and left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Graham Gano salvaged some pride for the Giants with a 55-yard field goal, but it was far from enough.
Coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the shortcomings of his team, saying, “No excuses, we didn't get the job done.”
On the other side, Seattle didn't need to do much against the Giants' defense. Their only substantial drive was engineered by backup Drew Lock, who replaced Smith after he suffered a knee injury and required X-rays. This drive included a 51-yard pass to Noah Fant.
Smith, who returned for the second half, finished with 13 completions on 20 attempts for 110 yards, while Daniel Jones, battered and bruised, went 27-of-34 for 203 yards and 66 rushing yards.
This game marked the Giants' second home outing this season, and both have ended in disappointment. After a 40-0 season-opening loss, Giants fans were once again left disappointed as they watched the Seahawks dominate.
“I’d be upset, too, if I was the fans,” Daboll said. “So there’s a lot of things we’ve got to do better, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The game also had its share of peculiar moments, including an overturned touchdown early in the game when Seattle's Kenneth Walker's elbow was deemed to have touched the turf before he reached the end zone. The review provided a moment of suspense but ultimately favored the Giants.
In the end, the Seattle Seahawks showcased their defensive prowess and continued to build momentum with their third straight win, reminding the NFL that they are a force to be reckoned with, not only for their explosive offense but also their resurgent defense. As for the New York Giants, they are left with more questions than answers as they look to find their footing in a season that has been marred by inconsistency and struggles.
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