EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In an intense matchup on a windy Sunday, Zach Charbonnet’s crucial 8-yard touchdown run with 5:31 left in the game, along with Leonard Williams’ dramatic 92-yard interception return for a touchdown, led the Seattle Seahawks to a hard-fought 26-21 victory over the New York Jets. With this win, the Seahawks extended their winning streak to three games and improved their record to 7-5, now seizing sole possession of first place in the NFC West after the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Jets, meanwhile, fell to 3-9, despite leading for much of the contest, showcasing a spark in their first game back from the bye week. However, they could not manage to score in the second half. Charbonnet’s pivotal touchdown capped off a drive aided significantly by four penalties on the Jets, who totaled 12 for the game.
One notable moment came on a fourth-and-6 when the Jets were penalized for having too many players on the field as Xavier Gipson sprinted on the field in anticipation of a punt. With punter Michael Dickson nursing a back injury, the Seahawks opted to leave their offense on the field. Subsequently, a pass interference call on Qwan’tez Stiggers, filling in for injured cornerbacks, allowed the Seahawks to continue their drive.
Later, on fourth-and-1, it seemed Charbonnet had been stopped, but a horse-collar tackle penalty against Solomon Thomas extended the drive. Another mistake allowed Charbonnet to score, giving Seattle the lead at 26-21. As the Jets sought a comeback, Williams, who was drafted by New York in 2015, sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down. A long desperation pass from Rodgers fell far short of intended receiver Garrett Wilson, sealing the Jets’ fate.
The first half of the game was chaotic, marked by a 99-yard touchdown kickoff return from New York’s Kene Nwangwu, combined with Williams’ interception return and three fumbled kickoffs by Seattle, two of which were recovered by the Jets.
Geno Smith, the 39th overall selection by the Jets in 2013, completed 20 of 31 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown, marking his first start against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Aaron Rodgers had a performance of 21 completions on 39 attempts for 185 yards, connecting for touchdowns with Davante Adams and Isaiah Davis, but he also threw the pick-six. Under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets have now lost three straight games, have won just one of their past nine, and just let go of general manager Joe Douglas last week.
New York took an early lead in the first quarter when Rodgers tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Adams, with the subsequent extra point blocked by Williams. A personal foul on Williams during the drive kept it alive; he sacked Rodgers on a pivotal third-and-8, only to be penalized for grabbing the facemask. This enabled Malachi Corley to gain crucial yards, setting up the touchdown by Adams.
The Jets quickly regained possession of the ball on the kickoff when Dee Williams fumbled, which was recovered by Brandin Echols. Following that, Davis scored on a 4-yard run, and Breece Hall added the 2-point conversion, stretching their lead to 14-0.
Seattle responded early in the second quarter with Barner’s 12-yard touchdown reception from Smith, narrowing the gap to 14-7. Nwangwu then electrified the crowd again with another 99-yard kickoff return to extend the Jets’ lead to 21-7. The troubles for Seattle continued when Laviska Shenault fumbled a kickoff, which Carlson recovered, marking the Seahawks’ third kickoff blunder of the day.
As New York advanced in Seattle territory, Rodgers threw an ill-fated pass intended for Wilson, which Williams intercepted, racing 92 yards for a touchdown. This marked the longest interception return for a touchdown by a defensive lineman since at least 2000, according to ESPN. It was also Williams’ first touchdown in his career and only his second interception overall, his first dating back to 2017 while still with the Jets.
The extra point attempt by Jason Myers was blocked by Quinnen Williams, but he managed to convert a 54-yard field goal shortly after, closing the gap to 21-16 as the first half drew to a close.
In the injury report, the Seahawks saw Dickson leave with a back injury in the second half, while the Jets lost right tackle Morgan Moses to a shoulder issue during the first quarter. Defensive back Sauce Gardner exited with a hamstring injury, and Echols had to leave due to dehydration in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will face the Arizona Cardinals in a divisional clash next Sunday, while the Jets prepare to travel to Miami for a contest against the Dolphins.
