by Ryan Mercier
While focusing on the big games or game of choice on Sunday, plenty of others flash by as merely stats on the bottom line or highlights. That’s where NFL Game Pass comes in handy (can someone say, “Sponsor?”). Here are some musings on a couple of them.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
The highlights of Russell Wilson’s latest magical-type plays are cool. They’re retweetable. But while unfolding in the actual game they are backbreaking for the 49ers. Tied at 7-7 in the 3rd quarter, Wilson scrambles after finding no one open and is suddenly in the end zone, 14-7. Not too bad for San Francisco, this is still manageable.
Until, poor Trenton Cannon (who had a regrettable day) fumbled the kickoff. Two plays later, Wilson escapes a sack in incredible fashion and zips it to the front corner of the end zone to Freddie Swain. A sack wouldn’t have guaranteed a field goal but it would’ve been highly likely. Instead, Seattle took a commanding 21-7 lead.
- It is hard to put into words how bad rookie QB Trey Lance looked replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. This is where actually watching the game comes into play instead of just looking at stats. Yes, it was that bad.
- The 76-yard TD from Lance to Deebo Samuel was one of the worst busted coverages from a defense there could possibly be. Ever.
- 49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley had himself a day.
- Seahawks RB Alex Collins looked incredible. Having only 44 yards rushing and 34 receiving after viewing this game is startling. He had a bigger impact than that.
Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons
Washington QB Taylor Heinicke may have his way with some bad defenses this year. He seemed to struggle in the red zone but was able to move the ball through the air and on the ground almost seamlessly. Heinicke averaged 8.8 yards per attempt which checks out as you watch. Most of all, he’s very decisive with his legs. When it’s time to run, it’s time to run.
- Heinicke should get some credit for finding J.D. McKissic on the game-winning score and absolutely no credit for the YOLO ball thrown to Terry McLaurin on the prior TD.
- 3rd quarter, 1:26 on the clock, 4th down and 2
When you witness this 4th down play by the Falcons, it is the Eighth Wonder of the World to behold how Washington does not gain possession of the ball after this play is over. QB Matt Ryan literally goes to one knee, then hurls the ball in desperation which goes directly into a defender’s hands. An extremely questionable roughing the passer penalty is called on Chase Young (after a long, long time) which wipes out the whole thing. - Hayden Hurst, Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, and Olamide Zaccheaus all contributed to a lot of balls hitting the turf for the Falcons. Some fumbles or close fumbles, some drops, some plays by defenders. It just stood out.
- Is it me, or is there something weird with Matt Ryan’s footwork? I’m no expert so, honestly, it could be me.
- Hey it’s Wayne Gallman and Tajae Sharpe, remember them? No? Yeah, ok, that’s fine.
- Feleipe Franks took a snap for Atlanta Taysom Hill-style and this is so forgettable until you look at the stat sheet after the game.
- Special Teams! A whole mini-list:
-Washington’s Dustin Hopkins missed two extra points. The team ended up trailing by exactly two points (30-28) after failing a two-point conversion with under four minutes to play
-WFT’s DeAndre Carter had a fantastic 101 yard kickoff return TD to begin the 2nd half
-When watching the condensed version, it’s very odd to see Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo suddenly punting in the 4th quarter (Cameron Nizialek was injured during the action)
Struggling Actor Sports 