The collective heart rate of the Pacific Northwest may not return to normal level for quite some time after the Seattle Seahawks’ thrilling Thursday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks and Rams kicked off Week 5 in one of the best Thursday games played in recent memory, as the heated rivals exchanged five total lead changes in the 30-29 contest. It almost was six lead changes, had it not been for Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein shanking a 44-yard potential game-winning field goal wide right.
Seattle earned some long-overdue revenge over the Rams, winning the first matchup against Los Angeles since Week 5 of the 2017 season and the first home game since 2016.
The Seahawks are now atop the NFC West with a 4-1 record sending the Rams to third place at 3-2, which is only the second time Los Angeles has lost back to back regular-season games under Sean McVay. As a result, here are 5 Studs and only 1 Dud from Thursday night.
No. 1 Stud – Russell Wilson
Through five weeks, there is only a two-man race for the MVP. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Seattle’s own Russell Wilson.
Off to the best start of his career, Wilson was simply astonishing on Thursday, cementing his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the league today. Wilson was unstoppable, completing 17 of 23 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns, including this gem to Tyler Lockett.
According to Next Gen Stats, Wilson’s touchdown had a 6.3 percent chance of completion, which is the most improbable throw since 2017. Wilson was under heavy duress most of the night from the Rams fearsome defensive front but somehow eluded the pressure effortlessly.
Simply put, whenever Wilson is on the field the Seahawks will always have a chance to win games. Thursday night was a prime example.
No. 1 Dud – Seattle’s pass rush
The Rams actually have the lowest-rated offensive line in the NFL and no quarterback has faced more pressure than Jared Goff, but no one would have assumed it by watching Thursday’s game.
Seattle’s pass rush flashed signs of brilliance but made very little impact overall. Jadeveon Clowney and Quinton Jefferson both had two quarterback hits, and Bobby Wagner had one of his own, but other than that, Goff was untouched en route to a 395 passing yard performance.
Although it is encouraging Seattle could win without registering a single sack, the Seahawks will need this group to step it up as they continue to face more dynamic offenses in the coming weeks.
No. 2 Stud – Tedric Thompson
Wilson may have been the player of the night but safety Tedric Thompson easily had the play of the game.
Leading 30-29 just seconds before the two minute warning, the Rams were facing a 3rd-and-10. Goff’s pass was high and fell incomplete, or so everyone thought. Instead, safety Tedric Thompson got his hands underneath the ball before it hit the ground and batted it back for an interception.
The Seahawks were unable to ice the game after what many thought would be the winning interception, but in the end, they stole a valuable possession away from the Rams and forced them to burn their final two timeouts.
Thompson has had a rough start to the season, but it is safe to say this interception earned him plenty of goodwill from the coaches and the 12th Man.
No. 3 Stud – Chris Carson
It’s been a great two-game stretch for Chris Carson. After logging his first 100+ yard rushing game last week following a fumble-plagued start to the season, Carson put forth another bruising performance against the Rams.
Carson looked like his normal, dominant self as he bulldozed his way to 118 yards on 27 carries, bullying every Ram defender unfortunate enough to get in his way.
Carson also had what ended up being the game-winning touchdown, but only after making every Seahawks fan’ blood turn ice cold. Carson initially bobbled Wilson’s perfect pass but was able to bounce it back to himself for the score.
No. 4 – Seattle’s receiving threats
Don’t look now, but the Seahawks might have the makings of a lethal corps of receiving threats. Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and tight end Will Dissly all had great outings on Thursday. Dissly led Seattle with 81 yards on four receptions, while Lockett had 51 on four catches and a touchdown.
Metcalf showed off why many believed he would be a natural fit in Seattle’s offense with Wilson’s affinity for the deep ball. Metcalf may have only caught two passes, but one of them went for a 40-yard touchdown to give Seattle an early eight-point lead.
Receiver David Moore also snagged his first touchdown of the season after missing the first two games due to an injury. Should he continue his ascent as a receiving threat, the Seahawks passing attack could become even more effective.
No. 5 Stud – Paul Allen
We would be remiss to not give at least some mention to the late Seahawks owner, Paul Allen. On Thursday, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist was inducted to the Seahawks Ring of Honor. After the game, an emotional Russell Wilson dedicated the game to Allen, who gave him a shot to be a quarterback for the Seahawks.
Allen purchased the Seahawks in 1996 after the former ownership group was planning to move the franchise to Los Angeles. Allen stepped in and is the reason the team stayed put in Seattle. Under his leadership the Seahawks went from being bottom feeders to the national spotlight and one of the more consistent organizations in the NFL.
It was fitting Allen became the 12th inductee on the Ring of Honor, as he was arguably the most important 12th Man.
