During Thursday’s game, the Seattle Seahawks failed to contain Micah Parsons, a top contender for Defensive Player of the Year, on the game’s final play.
Although you’d expect the Seahawks to focus on the one player who could beat them, they didn’t. Parsons blew up a fourth-and-2 play, coming in untouched on the right side, forcing Geno Smith to make an errant, desperation throw to DeeJay Dallas, who was already well short of the first down marker.
The Cowboys ultimately won the game with a 41-35 victory, but many people were left wondering why Parsons was able to wreak havoc so easily on such a crucial play. According to Geno Smith, it was by design.
The Seahawks’ last play was designed to have the right tackle, Abraham Lucas, pinch down against the zero blitz, which allowed Parsons to come unblocked off the edge. Smith just couldn’t get the pass over the All-Pro defender to Dallas in time.
“You know, it is the design,” Smith said of the final play to Greg Bell, who covers the team for The News Tribune. “The right tackle has to squeeze right there against zero (blitz), so he did the right thing. “Micah coming free, we knew that would possibly happen. Tried to get the ball around him. Just wasn’t able to.”
Geno Smith says the #Seahawks’ last play was by design: right tackle pinches down vs 0 blitz, Micah Parsons unblocked off the edge, and he just couldn’t get the pass over him to RB DeeJay Dallas in the flat.
Parsons unblocked with the game on the line? That was the scheme pic.twitter.com/YJq0HWqVxH
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 1, 2023
It’s true that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s play call was intriguing and could have been praised if it had worked. Unfortunately, the Seahawks failed to convert on all three fourth-down attempts, which ultimately cost them the game on Thursday.
As for a potential rematch against the Cowboys, only time will tell as it depends on how the NFC Playoff picture unfolds. However, if the Seahawks do get another opportunity to face Dallas, they will likely make sure that Parsons doesn’t go unblocked again.
