PHILADELPHIA — The Seahawks’ defense was so dominant — again — the offense didn’t need many plays.
But when it did in Sunday’s 24-14 win at Philadelphia, Russell Wilson went to Doug Baldwin.
Even though he wasn’t supposed to.
Philadelphia had closed to within 17-14 in the third quarter of a game Seattle had been thoroughly controlling, after Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz had beaten linebacker K.J. Wright down the sideline on one of the only mistakes by the Seahawks’ defense.
Seattle was backed up to its own 21 after yet another sputtering kickoff return by rookie Paul Richardson. The crowd at Lincoln Financial Field was loud for one of the only times on a brisk, windy evening.
On first down Wilson rolled to his right away from what was constant pressure from the Eagles’ pass rush. Baldwin, not the purpose of the shorter play call, rather leisurely ran a clear-out route down the right sideline.
“I’m actually not even a read on that play,” Baldwin said. “I’m clearing it out for somebody else.”
But for one of the relatively few times this season Wilson let it fly deep, 40 yards downfield to Baldwin.
“I’m trusting Doug to go up and get the plays,” Wilson said afterward.
He got this one — by being crafty.
As the ball was in flight he engaged Bradley Fletcher in a grabbing contest. Baldwin reached in on the Eagles cornerback. Fletcher retaliated by grabbing Baldwin around his torso with both hands. Baldwin pushed back.
As the pass sailed over the heads of both of the preoccupied players incomplete, officials flagged Fletcher. The 44-yard pass-interference penalty put the ball at the Eagles 35.
“When I saw the ball in the air and I saw the defender looking back at me, I just wanted to run into him to try to create contact and try to create a penalty situation,” Baldwin said.
“It just happens like that sometimes.”
After the penalty, Marshawn Lynch had a 1-yard catch and 7-yard run before Wilson threw for a first down in the flat to 285-pound fullback and part-time defensive end Will Tukuafu. On the next play, Baldwin got free down the right hash marks for a 23-yard touchdown. His third score of the season was the biggest play of his five-reception, 97-yard game.
It made the score 24-14 and the Eagles never challenged after that.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
