Seahawks survive late rally, clinch playoff spot with 20-15 win over Washington Football Team

The Seattle Seahawks (10-4) are back in the playoffs but they made life hard for themselves against the Washington Football Team (6-8). After leading 20-3 in the 3rd quarter, the offense shut down and the defense had some difficulties leading with Dwayne Haskins and company. Luckily the defense made a vital late-game stand and the Seahawks hung on for a 20-15 road win at FedEx Field.

Russell Wilson threw for a touchdown and an interception but was largely shut down as a passer. Carlos Hyde had a 50-yard TD as Seattle’s running game dominated Washington’s vaunted defensive line. Wilson was also not sacked for the second week in a row.

1st Half

Dwayne Haskins and Washington got the ball first and only gained one yard before punting it to the Seahawks. Seattle’s offense got the ball in great field position at their own 45 and Chris Carson got the first carry for 10 right away. The drive was going pretty well until a Mike Iupati hold wiped out a 3rd and 2 conversion. Jason Myers booted through a 43-yarder for the game’s first points. 3-0 Seahawks.

Washington’s offense was ineffective as expected, whereas the Seahawks tried to be methodical against that WFT defensive front. Seattle thought they had a touchdown early in the 2nd quarter when Wilson dropped a dime to Freddie Swain for 40 yards but it was erased due to Swain clearly not being in bounds. Thankfully Washington was offside so Seattle got to accept that penalty and convert the subsequent 3rd and 2. Seattle was unable to go much further but they did get another field goal. 6-0 Seahawks.

Dwayne Haskins and Logan Thomas had a strong connection on Washington’s next drive, but he can’t be targeted forever. Just inside the Seattle 30, Haskins threw a terrible pass on the run into traffic and Shaquill Griffin was there on the tip drill for the interception near his own goal line.

Seattle turned that into a 13-play, 97-yard drive that featured a 38-yard scramble by Russell Wilson for his longest run of the season. On 3rd and 7 and in the red zone, Russ fired a bullet pass to Jacob Hollister in the middle of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. 13-0 Seahawks.

Washington finally got on the board in a two-minute drill. When Shaquill Griffin came off injured after being kicked in the groin, Haskins picked on Linden Stephens who was beaten one-on-one by Terry McLaurin to get into field goal range. Dustin Hopkins hit from 48 to round out the 1st half score. 13-3 Seahawks.

2nd Half

Smashmouth football against that monstrous defensive front? Hell yeah! Carlos Hyde took this one 50 yards to the house to extend the lead right out of the break. 20-3 Seahawks.

After a deep ball to Terry McLaurin into Seattle territory, Haskins got a bit too greedy and threw an ill-advised pass into the arms of DJ Reed for the second interception on the afternoon.

The Seahawks were pretty content to run the ball a lot and run the clock out early and play defense. They did give up a 96-yard touchdown drive ending in a two-yard score for Peyton Barber early in the 4th quarter. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point. 20-9 Seahawks.

Seattle had a good drive going in response up until a Wilson pass was tipped in the air and picked off by Daron Payne. Washington turned that into a touchdown to JD McKissic but missed the two-point conversion. 20-15 Seahawks with 7:15 left.

A swift three-and-out gave the ball right back to Washington with about five minutes to go but 80+ yards away from the end zone and the lead. Pete Carroll lost a challenge on a 3rd and 2 spot they gave to McKissic with 3:39 to go. Alton Robinson strip-sacked Haskins but he recovered his own fumble for 2nd and 21 instead of a potential back-breaking turnover. On 3rd and 11, McLaurin made the catch short of the first down but the refs called a horrible penalty on KJ Wright for an illegal hit. McLaurin lowered his head into Wright’s shoulder and yet KJ got flagged. Two minutes to go and Washington at the Seattle 35.

Catch on the run to Steven Sims Jr to the Seattle 22 with under two minutes left. Haskins overthrows Logan Thomas in the end zone on 1st and 10. Haskins sacked on 2nd down by LJ Collier! 3rd and 15 and another sack! Carlos Dunlap. 4th and a mile and Haskins throws up a prayer that is incomplete! Holding on Washington and that’ll be that. 20-15 Seahawks FINAL.

Seahawks injury report

RB Deejay Dallas was carted off with a lower leg injury and did not return. He’s definitely done for the season.

LG Mike Iupati left the game with a neck injury and was replaced by Jordan Simmons.

Next week’s opponent

The rematch with the Los Angeles Rams (10-4 9-5) for what is effectively the NFC West title. UPDATE: JETS!!!!!!!!

Kickoff time is Sunday, December 27th at 1:25 PM PT on FOX from Lumen Field.