The Seattle Seahawks didn’t plan to run draw plays on two key third down situations during their 48-45 victory over the Detroit Lions. No team does. It is considered a give up play.
But running back Rashaad Penny said the calls became “a no brainer” when Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn showed a full out blitz, not once but twice. The first came on a third and 16 in the third quarter. The ball was at the Lions 36 moments after a clock gaffe gave the Seahawks a second chance at redemption.
Seattle ran a draw play and running back Rashaad Penny took it to the house to put Seattle ahead 38-23.
With the game approaching the two-minute warning and Seattle ahead by three, Penny busted another third down draw play for 41 yards and a back breaking touchdown.
“It wasn’t the play call, but we alerted it because we knew what defense they were going to run on third down because our coaches do an amazing job of just preparing us for those moments,” Penny told the Seattle media. “That was just one of our alerts and once we saw that they were in that kind of defense, it was kind of a no-brainer.”
Penny rushed for 150 yards against the Lions porous defense, sending shock waves through Lions nation and beginning debates as to whether Glenn should keep his job. Now the Seahawks are talking all crazy like they expect this every week. They believe they can do even better on offense.
Trust us. This will be Seattle’s best offensive outpouring of the season. The last time we checked there is no rematch with the Lions scheduled.
Dan Campbell Reacts to Detroit Lions Struggles
“They gutted us,” said Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell. “They gutted us good.”
Campbell said he trust Glenn. If the man is so smart why didn’t he know to change defensive looks? Why not a more conservative defensive look on third and 16. If you give up 10 yards at best Seattle is attempting a long field goal. Instead they wound up celebrating in the end zone.
On Penny’s second touchdown the Seahawks couldn’t get to the line fast enough. Then they saw Glenn bringing out an all-out blitz again. Penny intended to run up the gut on a draw play but bounced it outside for a 41-yard touchdown when linebacker Chris Board lost contain.
“We took advantage of the bad looks the defense showed us,” Penny said. “That’s just what they do on defense. “That’s the game plan for us. Been watching that on film, that on third and long, they’re going to play that, so just anticipated it.”
Photo: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
