Seattle, Wa- In the first half, the Seattle Seahawks allowed a 53-yard punt return by New Orleans Saints Deonte Harris, which put the Saints up early in the first quarter 7-0. Harris’s punt return was the first one in four years that the Seahawks allowed.
During a couple of possessions that the Seahawks had, some of their drives stalled because of the wet turf and players couldn’t plant their feet properly. Seahawks’ running back Chris Carson slipped on consecutive plays that could have resulted in some big plays on the ground. However late in the first quarter, Russell Wilson threw a corner pass to Tyer Lockett for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The key factor that helped out the Seahawks were the penalties that the Saints acquired from holding calls, pass interference and false starts that ended potential drives for the Saints. With Drew Brees out of the line-up due to torn ligaments in his thumb Teddy Bridgewater was the starting QB. Bridgewater did not have much success in the first half and could not get any rhythm going on many drives.
The Saints’ defense came up big after Chris Carson rumbled for a 30- yard run, but before his knee touched the ground, Eli Apple punched the ball. The Saints scooped it and scored a touchdown, but missed the PAT to go up 13-7. This was the third fumble that Carson has had this season and this was the fourth takeaway for the Saints.
Before the end of the half, Bridgewater threw a screen pass to Alvin Kamara, who took it in for the touchdown. The Saints extended their lead to 20-7 at the half.
On the first possession in the second half, the Saints went down the field on a 7-minute drive to score on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas to go up 27-7. The Seahawks get a big break after Deonte Harris muffed a punt return, but could not capitalize on the turnover. Drive after drive, the Seahawks had their opportunities but dropped passes killed Seattle.
In the fourth quarter, Wilson decided to put his team on his back. On a couple of broken down plays, he utilized his feet to help extend the drive. After a quick slant to his wide receivers, Seattle was in striking distance to make the game interesting. Wilson called his own number and scored 2-yard touchdown to make it 27-14.
The Saints sealed the deal after Kamara ran a 1-yard touchdown, but failed on the 2-point conversion to make it 33-14, however, Wilson added two touchdowns late in the 4th quarter to make it 33-27.
Wilson ended the game 25/39 for 406 yards and 2 touchdowns.
