Seahawks fans (maybe including you) aren’t exactly thrilled after the team let a late fourth-quarter lead slip away, falling to the rival 49ers in Week 1. While blame is being spread around, a few players are catching the brunt of criticism for their performances.
In his Seattle debut, Sam Darnold didn’t exactly light up San Francisco’s defense. He finished with 150 passing yards, no touchdowns, and a costly fumble on the Seahawks’ final offensive drive that sealed the loss.
But it’s a defender who has drawn the most heat. Despite keeping the Seahawks in the game for much of the night, the defense faltered late — with cornerback Riq Woolen’s misstep proving pivotal. Woolen lost track of tight end Jake Tonges in the end zone, allowing him to haul in the game-winning touchdown. That lapse has left many fans frustrated, fueling the sting of Seattle’s opening-week defeat.
Fans Are Blaming Seahawks CB Riq Woolen’s for 49ers’ Game-Winning Touchdown
Riq Woolen’s play in the closing stages of the game drew sharp criticism from both fans and analysts. His struggles in the fourth quarter stood out as one of the few weak spots for a Seahawks defense that had otherwise impressed in Week 1.
Some fans didn’t hold back, with one saying: “If you’re blaming Purdy’s throws instead of Woolen’s awful coverage, you’re either a Niners fan or part of San Francisco’s front office. That was a terrible way for Seattle to lose.”
Another added: “Seahawks fans hyped Woolen up as if he’d be Richard Sherman with sprinter speed. Sherman would’ve had two interceptions today—and probably a taunting penalty on the 49ers’ bench while he was at it.”
247Sports’ Nathan Carroll was equally blunt: “That was the worst single possession I’ve ever seen from a corner. Woolen dropped two gift-wrapped interceptions, then gave up a 40-yard gain and a touchdown. Just brutal.”
There Is Plenty of Blame to Go Around for the Seahawks’ Loss vs. 49ers in Week 1
While Woolen has drawn his share of criticism, he wasn’t the only issue for Seattle. He also made several key pass breakups in the season opener.
Beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s performance and the defense as a whole, much of the Seahawks’ play against San Francisco was underwhelming. Even with his late-game struggles, Woolen still seems to have the backing of his teammates.
“Ernest Jones says the Seahawks expect Riq Woolen to make the plays he missed late in the game and that he’d tell him to ‘keep his head up,’ knowing he’ll be ready the next time,” noted Emerald Spectrum’s Corbin Smith on September 7.
Seattle will try to regroup in Week 2 against the Steelers, entering as 2.5-point underdogs according to FanDuel.
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