Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
RENTON, Wash. –The numbers look great on the surface for Russell Wilson.
Wilson was 20-of-26 for 287 yards and a touchdown against the Lions on Monday night. However, the numbers don’t tell the whole story either. Wilson had two costly fumbles on sacks he didn’t need to take. The offensive line had a bad night, but Wilson didn’t help at times.
The final fumble gave the Lions life and a chance to win the game late as Caraun Reid returned the loose ball for the only touchdown of the game for Detroit to pull within a field goal.
“I can’t wait to see what that film looks like of his night because he made some phenomenal plays, and then the ball got away a couple of times,” Carroll said. “It’s just uncharacteristic, that just doesn’t happen to us. So, we had to overcome a couple of turnovers and we just don’t normally have to do that.”
Wilson was a large reason why Seattle had the lead they did in the first place though as well.
Wilson’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin was a textbook strike to give Seattle a 7-0 lead. He frequently pirouetted out of trouble and found open receivers to move the offense down the field when the line was unable to keep the Lions defense from causing problems.
But the two fumbles are a clear issue that Wilson knows he needs to correct.
“I got to do a better job, my awareness has to be a little better,” Wilson said. “Obviously having those two plays gave them a chance to come back and win the game potentially.”
–Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett isn’t a fan of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
However, the reasoning behind that dislike is somewhat unusual.
“I don’t like Matt Stafford that much,” Bennett stated. “Cause he’s from Dallas and Dallas, they killed the President. It’s where JFK (John F. Kennedy), one of the greatest Presidents, died at so I just have a little hatred towards him.”
So you hold that against him?
“I hold that against him,” Bennett said.
Bennett was then asked how he was feeling after leaving the game late due to an injury.
“My leg hurt but I got up like a G. I feel good,” he said before turning the conversation back to Stafford. “But yeah, they killed JFK man, so that’s why I got a little hatred for him.”
The comments certainly appeared to be made in jest, but it’s just another window into the mind of one of the more outspoken players in the league.
Notes: Running back Marshawn Lynch took part in pregame warmups Monday night, but was inactive due to a hamstring injury. Carroll said he ran well, but didn’t feel he could sustain through an entire game. … Cornerback Marcus Burley suffered a broken thumb in the first quarter and did not return. … Wide receiver Ricardo Lockette left the game due to shortness of breath. Head coach Pete Carroll said Lockette got sick during the game. … Running back Fred Jackson left the game with an ankle injury after being rolled up on from behind. He was expected to have an MRI on Tuesday, but was not wearing a protective walking boot in the locker room postgame.
