SEATTLE – Drew Lock doesn’t lack confidence.
Despite going several seasons between starts, being drafted by the team that selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft, being shelved by the team that acquired him in a blockbuster trade, and the Most of his time on the bench Over the last two seasons, Lock always knew he was capable of playing like he did in the Seattle Seahawks' season-saving 20-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night at Lumen Field .
But Lock is ultimately still human. So leading the offense on a 10-play, 92-yard drive and throwing the game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds left was as important to everyone else's confidence in Lock as it was to his belief in himself.
It started with coach Pete Carroll, who has been effusive in his praise of the guy the Denver Broncos no longer wanted since he traded for Lock in March 2022. That unwavering belief, even after two turnovers in a loss to the 49ers in Week 14, “made me more of myself again, more of who I am: a confident guy who goes out there and slings the ball around,” Lock said . “He gives me complete confidence to be exactly who I am.”
GO DEEPER
The Seahawks are confident Drew Lock can keep their season alive if Geno Smith can't play against the Eagles
Monday's action continued with receiver DK Metcalf, who caught five passes for a team-high 78 yards, including 58 on the final drive. It was Metcalf's 34-yard catch on a go-ball from Lock that put Seattle at the Eagles' 29-yard line with 58 seconds left. Early in the game, Lock threw a ball deep outside that was dropped by Metcalf in the red zone. Upset by the ball placement, Lock went to Metcalf and said, “My mistake,” to which his teammate responded, “Stop apologizing to me. Just go out and play.”
“You’re right,” Lock replied. “I’m going to go out there and we’re going to play ball, we’re going to throw this thing around.”
Seattle began its final drive trailing 17-13 at the 8-yard line, 1:52 on the clock and a timeout in the bag. Before that drive, starting quarterback Geno Smith – who was only active as an emergency QB due to a groin injury – reiterated his trust in Lock.
“You’re the best player on the field,” Lock remembered Smith telling him. “You’re going to lead us across the field now and make it.”
Hearing that meant everything to Lock.
“I appreciate him more than words can describe,” Lock said.
After all, it was offensive coordinator Shane Waldron who believed Lock's arm would win the game. When faced with third-and-10 at the 29, Waldron flagged a man-coverage beater they had run on third-and-9 in the first quarter. On this play, Lock hit Metcalf from a slant that landed 1 yard in front of the upright. But Waldron noted that rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was going one-on-one with cornerback Kelee Ringo.
Before the game-winning throw, Waldron reminded Lock and instructed him to target Smith-Njigba – this time alongside James Bradberry, one of Philadelphia's best corners – knowing his quarterback would get the ball where it needed to be .
“Of course they gave us one-on-one,” Lock said. “Kind of the perfect look. We had an off corner, Jax took the pace off the ball and then hit the jets.”
Smith-Njigba held the ball in the back of the end zone as the crowd of 68,758 roared, knowing her Seahawks were just seconds away from victory. Seattle ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 7-7, tied with the Vikings and Rams, who occupy the final two wild-card spots in the NFC. According to The Athletic's Austin Mock's model, Seattle's playoff odds are as high as 46.4 percent. Seattle entered Week 15 with a 20.6 percent chance of reaching the postseason.
There's still a lot of work to be done, but Monday's win is a weight lifted off Seattle's shoulders.
“It’s the start of something great,” running back DeeJay Dallas said.
The other hero that night was Julian Love, who signed a two-year, $12 million free agent contract with Seattle. Jamal Adams was inactive Monday with a knee injury, which meant Love had to play every defensive snap (and cover punts on special teams). Two snaps from Love changed the game.
Philadelphia (10-4) led 17-13 midway through the fourth quarter when quarterback Jalen Hurts fired a 45-yard shot to receiver Quez Watkins. As the ball flew, safety Quandre Diggs yelled “Yay!” in Love’s direction. Love heard it, chased Watkins, turned to find the ball and corralled it into the end zone. It was the first rally of the game.
Seattle responded with a three-pointer, but Philadelphia's offense also stalled on the ensuing possession. The Seahawks' defense remained confident with 2:15 left in the third and seventh, bringing the ball back to the offense and setting up the game-winning drive.
After the touchdown, Love sealed the victory by intercepting a long ball to receiver AJ Brown with six seconds left.
On this play, Seattle gave Philadelphia a single-high safety look with a slight change: I love playing center field instead of Diggs. Within seconds, Love moved from the field to the sideline, grabbed the ball and tapped the inbounds brilliantly with both toes.
“I have to live well because luckily I made it,” said Love, who now leads the Seahawks with four interceptions.
The way Seattle won that game only increased the celebration after the referees reviewed Love's interception and confirmed that he had completed the catch. Carroll threw away his headset, sprinted toward midfield and hugged receiver Tyler Lockett. Lock raised his arms triumphantly and strapped his helmet tight, preparing for a final knee drop.
Lock said he hugged Smith about 10 times in the locker room. Carroll said he couldn't even remember his message to the team in the locker room because “I was crazy.”
“I had so much fun tonight,” Carroll added.
After several collapses over the last month, Seattle's defense finally got stops in the crucial period. Philadelphia had the ball three times in the fourth quarter and only ran one play in Seattle territory.
The Seahawks' offense finally got under control after failing to do so against the Rams, Cowboys and 49ers. They ultimately stuck with the running game, and it paid off: Ken Walker III rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The offense was more effective on third downs, converting 6 of 14 attempts, including the Smith-Njigba touchdown.
At a time when people were wondering whether Carroll's message was falling on deaf ears, the Seahawks finally got the on-field product that matched what their coach had long been preaching.
“We talk about getting ready year-round — in the offseason and all that,” Carroll said. “That was the first real moment and we captured a great night.”
GO DEEPER
While Pete Carroll expresses frustration over the skid, Seahawks players say they haven't lost faith
Seattle's remaining schedule includes the Titans' road games, a home game against the Steelers and a visit to the Cardinals in Week 18. The Seahawks know they are one of four 7-7 teams and lost the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Rams This victory must provide the impetus for a perfect final phase. And they believe that it will be exactly that.
“This win is the turning point in everything we've been through,” Lockett said, “and I'm just excited to see what it means for us.”
(Photo by Drew Lock: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“The Football 100,” the definitive ranking of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time, is in stores now. Order it here.