Field Gulls
This was not the night Seattle sports fans wanted, it’s not the night Seattle sports fans deserved, but it wasn’t a lost cause for Seattle sports.
While the Seattle Mariners came agonizingly close only to fail to reach their first World Series, the Seattle Seahawks overcame their many self-inflicted wounds to defeat the Houston Texans 27-19 and close out the first portion of their season in a three-way tie for top spot in a daunting NFC West. When the worst team is the 2-5 Arizona Cardinals, who have lost all of their games in the final minutes and have a point differential of -1, you know you’re in with some tough competition.
Seriously though, why was this game so needlessly difficult?
It’s time for Winners and Losers for the final time until November!
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Another week, another huge game (8 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown) even against one of the top defenses in the league, and his historically torrid start to the season is not letting up. Seven games played, five games with over 100 yards receiving, plus his fourth touchdown on the year. JSN is elite, and it’s terrifying for the rest of the league that this may not be his final form. The Texans have a great defense and an elite corner in Derek Stingley Jr and he laid waste to them, too.
Uchenna Nwosu
Nwosu should’ve had the opening points of the night. Five sacks leads the Seahawks and he has a real shot at double digits. Considering all of the question marks regarding his health and whether he’d even be on the team this year after taking a pay cut, this is a phenomenal bounce-back season for Chenna.
Byron Murphy II
That tackle for loss on the screen pass was a thing of beauty, and he continues to be impactful as a pass rusher and run defender. The second-year ascension is real and he has been outstanding. It also helps to learn from veteran stalwarts like Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed, both of whom were great.
Nick Emmanwori
Whether he’s running stride for stride in coverage with wide receivers or making diving pass breakups, Emmanwori is showing off his athletic traits and his coverage instincts. Another impressive showing by the exciting rookie safety, who nearly had his first interception back in the third quarter.
Ernest Jones IV
Three interceptions on the season for the star middle linebacker. Josh Jobe had the pressure on C.J. Stroud and Jones took advantage with the pick. Jones also should’ve had a strip sack leading to a fumble return for a touchdown by Drake Thomas, but Thomas fluffed his lines late and the whole play ultimately didn’t count.
Drake Thomas
Tyrice Knight ain’t getting that weakside linebacker starting job back any time soon. Thomas may have his issues in pass coverage and defending in space, but he’s a menace going downhill, and it paid off with three PBUs and two tackles for loss. He’d have...
