The New York Giants stunned Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon, thanks in part to a wild blocked field goal returned for a touchdown in the final minutes at Lumen Field.
While they were on the wrong side of it, and it looked illegal in the moment based on how Isaiah Simmons flew through the Seattle line, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald defended the play after the game.
They simply got beat.
“There’s a guy in the A gap, we need to block him. It’s pretty much that simple,” Macdonald said. “But you’re allowed to push down, they pushed down on our right guard, and he wasn’t able to get to Simmons.”
Simmons came flying through the Seahawks’ line to make the block on the play, which Bryce Ford-Wheaton then ran back 60-yards for a touchdown. The play sealed the 29-20 win for the Giants and avoided overtime, which seemed likely after Geno Smith started leading the Seahawks out of a late 10-point hole.
That play, however, at least looked illegal in the moment — as defenders aren’t allowed to jump over the offensive line in order to block a field goal. While it appeared as if Simmons did just that, Macdonald confirmed that he simply jumped in through the gap that was created after one of their players was blocked down to the ground — which is also a legal move.
Was wondering if it was a hold – Macdonald says it was fine bc they just pushed em down. (kinda crazy doesn’t this happen more often, no?) https://t.co/40YlDdLuS2
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 7, 2024
true and also *waves hand sadly in the general direction of the human across from him*
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 7, 2024
To Kimes’ point, it is strange that type of push-down block isn’t seen more on field goal attempts. But regardless, Simmons’ move was completely legal on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Jones went 23-of-34 for 257 yards and threw two touchdowns in the win for the Giants. Darius Slayton, who caught a clutch touchdown in the second half plays after being hit for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, had 122 yards on eight catches, and Tyrone Tracy had 129 yards on 18 carries on the ground.
Smith, who entered the week as the league’s passing leader, went 28-of-40 for 284 yards and a touchdown. He was also the Seahawks’ rushing leader with 73 yards on the ground. Seattle has now dropped back-to-back games with the loss. It’ll have to turn around quickly for a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.
