Smith’s pick-6 gives Seahawks a lift

SEATTLE — With the Seattle Seahawks offense starting slowly against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, it fell to the defense to give the team a lift.

Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith did all that and more.

On St. Louis’ first offensive series, and on a second-and-14 play from the Rams 33, Smith intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a Seahawks touchdown. It gave Seattle an early 7-0 lead and had a CenturyLink Field crowd of 68,264 going crazy with joy.

As important as Smith’s touchdown was emotionally to the Seahawks, it was critical on the scoreboard, too. It was the only TD by either team until midway through the third period when Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch finally reached the end zone to give the Seahawks a 20-3 margin. Prior to Lynch’s touchdown, Seattle’s offense had seven possessions resulting in five punts and two field goals.

On the interception play, the Seahawks dropped into zone coverage with Smith near the middle of the field. St. Louis quarterback Kellen Clemens threw a pass intended for tight end Jared Cook, but it was high and deflected off Cook’s up-stretched hands.

The ball came right to Smith, who started right on his return and then curled back to the middle of the field. He went untouched to the end zone.

“Honestly, it kind of just came right into my hands,” Smith said. “And obviously I was focused on the ball. It came right to me and I was fortunate to catch it.

“Every time I touch the ball, I want to get to the end zone,” he added. “So it feels good helping the team out.”

The irony is that Smith had a similar interception last week against Arizona. Unfortunately, that return was stopped at the Cardinals 3-yard line, and the Seahawks ended up not scoring when kicker Steven Hauschka missed a short field goal.

Smith was fully aware of what happened last week, “and I wasn’t going to let that happen twice,” he said.

As Smith and his teammates celebrated in the end zone Sunday, the Seattle crowd reacted with deafening cheers and the Seahawk sideline erupted in jubilation. It was exactly the spark the team needed in a pivotal game, with the Seahawks going on to finish with a 13-3 regular-season record and the top NFC seed in the upcoming playoffs.

“That’s the energy we were waiting for,” Smith said. “It was a great play for us.”

“I’m so proud of Malcolm,” said Heath Farwell, a fellow Seattle linebacker. “He’s stepped in and played well, and he got an interception for a touchdown. He kind of got the ball rolling and the crowd was into it.”

Smith has been a sometimes starter for the Seahawks this season, including three of the first four games when linebacker Bruce Irvin was sitting out a suspension (Smith missed one of those games with an injury). He then became a starter again when Bobby Wagner missed two games with an ankle injury, and once more in the last three games in place of injured K.J. Wright.

“Malcolm continues to come through,” said Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “He’s been a great asset for us. Whatever we’ve asked him to do, he’s done well.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.