Leonard Williams Makes History with Record-Breaking Pick-Six in Seahawks’ Wild Game Against Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Leonard Williams had a lot to feel good about after his standout performance in the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. But there was one thing that left him with a bittersweet taste: not winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. After racking up 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss, Williams had every reason to think he might take home the award. Instead, it went to his teammate, Coby Bryant.
While Williams was happy for Bryant, he admitted he wanted the recognition for himself, especially after delivering his most dominant performance since joining the Seahawks midway through last season. But if there’s any justice in the football world, this week might just be his time to shine.
Why? Because Williams didn’t just have a good game against the New York Jets—he made NFL history. The 310-pound, 30-year-old defensive tackle pulled off a jaw-dropping play that fans won’t forget anytime soon. Williams intercepted a tipped Aaron Rodgers pass and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. Yes, you read that right: 92 yards. According to ESPN Research, that’s the longest pick-six by a defensive lineman in NFL history. The previous record? A 91-yard return by Grant Wistrom of the Rams way back on October 17, 1999, against Atlanta.
LEO TAKES IT HOME. pic.twitter.com/BzcOiWAM5g
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 1, 2024
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, NFL Next Gen Stats revealed that Williams hit a top speed of 17.8 mph during the return. That’s the fastest speed recorded by a defensive lineman on any play since Week 18 of the 2022 season. For a guy who weighs over 300 pounds, that’s nothing short of incredible.
Special Teams Struggles Continue for Seattle
While Williams’ historic play was a bright spot, the Seahawks’ special teams had a rough day at the office. After Williams’ touchdown, Seattle’s PAT attempt was blocked, adding to a string of miscues that plagued the team throughout the first half. Earlier in the game, the Seahawks lost two fumbles on kickoff returns. Both Dee Williams and Laviska Shenault Jr. coughed up the ball, giving the Jets prime opportunities to capitalize.
And capitalize they did. The Jets managed to return a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, further highlighting Seattle’s special teams woes. However, the Seahawks did manage to block a Jets PAT, and kicker Jason Myers nailed a 54-yard field goal to cut New York’s lead to 21-16 in what has been a chaotic and unpredictable first half.
Key Takeaways from the Game So Far
- Leonard Williams’ Historic Play: A 92-yard pick-six that set an NFL record for defensive linemen.
- Special Teams Struggles: Two fumbles on kickoff returns, a blocked PAT, and a 99-yard kickoff return allowed.
- Bright Spots: Jason Myers’ 54-yard field goal and a blocked Jets PAT provided some redemption.
As the game continues, the Seahawks will need to clean up their special teams play if they want to come out on top. But for now, Leonard Williams’ incredible pick-six is the talk of the town—and for good reason. Plays like that don’t just win games; they make history.
Originally Written by: Unknown
