Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson makes just enough plays to beat Eagles defense
Tracking how the Eagles defense fared against the Seahawks' dynamic quarterback.
The loss of Carson Wentz put an even greater burden on the Eagles defense against Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Seahawks’ running backs were a third-string rookie (Travis Homer) and Marshawn Lynch, who three weeks ago was pouring tequila shots at a Raiders game. It was on Wilson to carry the Seahawks offense.
The score was the same as Week 12 (17-9), but the Eagles sacked Wilson only once in Sunday’s wild-card loss.
Game stats
Stats unofficial. Wilson also gained 48 yards rushing on six scrambles before taking a couple of knees at the end.
First quarter
Seattle’s first possession
Started: Seattle’s 28
Ended: Seattle’s 34
Plays: 3. Yards gained: 6. Time: 1:33.
Defending Russ: The Eagles allowed Wilson to complete a 9-yard pass on the game’s first play from scrimmage, but they got the three-and-out when Cre’Von LeBlanc broke up a third-down pass to Tyler Lockett. The Eagles blitzed Wilson and forced him to throw quickly.
Seattle’s second possession
Started: Seattle 46
Ended: Eagles 17 with blocked FG
Plays: 7. Yards gained: 37. Time: 9:41.
Defending Russ: Wilson got loose for a 22-yard run when Derek Barnett did not hold containment from his right defensive end position. The Eagles forced a field goal, which was blocked by Vinny Curry.
Seattle’s third possession — FG
Started: Seattle 24
Ended: Eagles 30 with made FG.
Plays: 10. Yards gained: 51. Time: 46.
Defending Russ: Wilson dropped back seven times, completing five passes. He was 2-for-3 on third down, including a 24-yard pass to Metcalf when Wilson got outside the pocket.
Second Quarter
Seattle’s fourth possession
Started: Seattle 15
Ended: Seattle 48
Plays: 7. Yards gained: 38. Time: 5:04.
Defending Russ: The biggest play of the drive was Wilson scrambling left and hitting Tyler Lockett for a terrific 29-yard reception that needed the replay officials to reverse what originally was ruled an incompletion. The Eagles defense tightened and forced a punt.
Seattle’s fifth possession — TD
Started: Seattle 18
Ended: Touchdown
Plays: 9. Yards gained: 82. Time: 1:47.
Defending Russ: The Seahawks finally scored a touchdown as Wilson worked his magic to close out the half. The Eagles blitzed on a third-and-10, but David Moore got beyond Avonte Maddox on a crossing route for 38 yards to set up a first-and-goal. Two plays later, Marshawn Lynch scored to give the Seahawks a 10-3 lead. With no Carson Wentz, the seven-point Seahawks advantage felt like 17.
Third Quarter
Seattle’s sixth possession — TD
Started: Seattle 19
Ended: Touchdown
Plays: 5. Yards gained: 81. Time: 1:50.
Defending Russ: Wilson answered an Eagles field goal by hitting DK Metcalf with a 53-yard bomb for his only touchdown pass of the game. It was a play-action pass and Maddox again was the victim. Seahawks up, 17-6, against the Eagles no-name offense, led by Josh McCown.
Seattle’s seventh possession
Started: Seattle 25.
Ended: Eagles 48.
Plays: 9. Yards gained: 27. Time: 5:36.
Defending Russ: And on the 28th pass attempt, the Eagles finally got through and sacked Wilson. Malcolm Jenkins made the huge play on what — by our count — was the defense’s fifth blitz of the game. Wilson had just converted a third-and-10 when he had way too much time to find Moore for a 19-yard gain.
Seattle’s eighth possession
Started: Seattle 24.
Ended: Seattle 29
Plays: 3. Yards gained: 5. Time: 1:25.
Defending Russ: Clutch job by the Eagles defense to force a three-and-out to get the offense the ball back with less than five minutes left.
Seattle’s ninth possession
Started: Seattle 11
Ended: Seattle 45
Plays: 6. Yards gained: 33. Time: 1:56.
Defending Russ: When Wilson had to make one more play, he made it by finding Metcalf one last time for a 36-yard conversion on third-and-10. Wilson took three knees to end the game.