The Seattle Seahawks capitalized on two costly fumbles to snap the New York Giants’ win streak in their 27-13 victory at home on Sunday.
Those fumbles came off two punt returns by the Giants’ Richie James, who would leave the game after the second one with a concussion. They also proved to be momentum killers, unfortunately for Big Blue.
First, it was Giants causing a fumble of their own as Adoree’ Jackson pried the ball loose from Tyler Lockett at the Seahawks’ 2-yard line, which set up an easy Saquon Barkley touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
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Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks, looks to pass against New York Giants on October 30, 2022 in Seattle.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
But just as the Giants’ defense made the Seahawks quickly punt after just five plays, James fumbled his first punt return after being hit by tight end Will Dissly and not securing the ball well enough. Even though Seattle recovered the fumble after being placed at their 19 yard line, the Giants would keep them from scoring a field goal.
The most crushing fumble, though, was in the fourth quarter when the Giants were down a touchdown and got a three-and-out on the Seattle offense to set up a potential comeback, something they’ve done three straight games to aid their four-game win streak.
James was careless with the ball this time. It was caught by Dissly and poked out on a tackle. Kenneth Walker III, the rookie running back, would score the dagger touchdown. It was a 16 yard run that gave the Seahawks the lead by two. Walker ran for 51 yards in 18 carries.
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Earlier in the game, Lockett had a chance to catch a touchdown when quarterback Geno Smith dropped a dime right into his hands on the drive that came after James’ first fumble. It hit Lockett’s helmet first, and it went for an incomplete. The Seahawks settled for a field goal.
Smith gave Lockett the opportunity again and he delivered. Lockett broke free and hit Jackson with a brilliant double move. Smith hit him perfectly in stride and the Seahawks would go up 27-13, and the Giants didn’t have the fight left in them to pull off another miraculous comeback.
Richie James (80), of the New York Giants, fumbles the ball during the second quarter in Seattle, Washington, October 30, 2022.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Smith, as he’s been all season, was reliable for the Seahawks and made plays when he needed to. He finished with two touchdown passes – his first went to DK Metcalf, who started and totaled 55 yards on six catches despite being questionable all week with a knee injury – and 212 yards on 23-for-34.
Smith was very focused during the Lockett touchdown. He went 5-for-5 and was surgically dissecting the Giants’ defense for the 75-yard drive down the field that gave Seattle their lead back, one they wouldn’t relinquish.
Barkley would have only 53 yards on 20 attempts for the Giants. Seattle with his dynamic skill set knew exactly what the game plan was for Big Blue. It forced the Giants to call on a quarterback. Daniel Jones to throw the ball, and though he didn’t get picked off, he had just 176 yards on 17-for-31 with no touchdowns.
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The Seattle secondary seemed to be doing its job well as Jones had time in the pocket but wasn’t finding anyone to throw to. The tight windows Jones had to use were narrow and led to either difficult catches or pass breaksups. Darius Slayton was the team’s leading receiver with 66 yards on five catches.
The Giants, still surprising at 6-2, will try to regroup before they host the Houston Texans next week.
Tyler Lockett from the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during quarter four on Oct. 30, 2022 in Seattle.
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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The 5-3 Seahawks will continue their three-game winning streak in Arizona and face the Cardinals next Sunday.
