Leonard Williams Makes Impact in Seahawks Week 10 Game, Sacking Sam Howell
In Week 9, the Seattle defense had a disappointing performance against the Baltimore Ravens, suffering a 37-3 loss. However, Leonard Williams, the recent acquisition from the NFL trade deadline, was determined to make his mark on the team in their Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders.
With just over eight minutes left in the second quarter and the Commanders leading 9-6, Washington faced a crucial third down on their own 30-yard line. As quarterback Sam Howell dropped back to pass, he was unaware of the imminent threat approaching him—a 6-foot-5, 300-pound force barreling towards him.
During the play, showcased on FOX and shared by user @newera_72, Williams lined up on the outside shoulder of left guard Chris Paul as part of a three-man front. He quickly rushed past Paul, crashing into center Tyler Larsen and knocking him to the ground.
With Howell in his grasp, Williams intelligently avoided a roughing the passer penalty by easing up at the end of the play rather than forcefully slamming the quarterback to the ground.
This standout play by Williams exemplified the vision of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider when they brought him to the team. Following Williams’ sack, the Commanders were forced to punt, and the game remained within a field goal’s reach.
Seattle’s decision to acquire Williams was primarily aimed at bolstering their run defense. Prior to their Week 10 clash with the Commanders, the Seahawks had allowed the 16th-most rushing yards in the league (976) and held a mediocre 21st ranking in PFF run defense grades with a score of 63.3.
Williams arrived with a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional run-stopper, a fact substantiated by his performances with the New York Jets and New York Giants. In five of his eight complete NFL seasons, Williams earned a spot among the top 25 run defenders according to PFF’s defensive line grades, securing a place in the top 13 three times. Notably, in the 2020 season, he achieved the fifth-highest run-defense grade in the league with an impressive 82.6.
However, Williams has also demonstrated his prowess as a pass rusher. During his Pro Bowl season in 2020, he accumulated 11.5 sacks, ranking seventh in the NFL and second among defensive tackles, trailing only Aaron Donald. Additionally, he has recorded seasons with 7.0, 5.0, and 6.5 sacks. Williams boasts four seasons with double-digit quarterback knockdowns and six seasons with double-digit sacks.
Securing consistent pressure from the interior line would be immensely valuable for the Seahawks in the latter half of the season. As Seattle supporters know all too well, the team lacks a dominant pass rusher on the outside. Outside linebacker Boye Mafe, with 6.0 sacks, is the closest option, but the team has been reliant on sacks from various positions, with the exception of defensive tackles. Myles Adams remains the sole defensive tackle to have recorded a quarterback takedown this season.
If Williams can tap into his latent pass-rushing abilities after notching his first sack as a Seattle player, the defense could take a significant step forward as the team fights for a playoff spot.
In conclusion, Leonard Williams’ impact was immediately felt in the Seahawks’ Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders. His sack on Sam Howell showcased his ability to disrupt the opposing team’s passing game and provided a glimpse of the qualities that attracted the attention of Pete Carroll and John Schneider. With Williams anchoring the run defense and potentially reinvigorating his pass-rushing skills, the Seahawks are poised to elevate their defensive performance in the crucial stages of the season.
