Rookie Devon Witherspoon scores on 97-yard pick-six as Seahawks D leads Seattle over Giants

Associated Press
Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 11:49 p.m. | Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 11:49 p.m.

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon gets by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), wide receiver Parris Campbell (0) and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (17) after intercepting a pass to run it back for a touchdown during the third quarter in East Rutherford, N.J.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) reacts with linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) after a defensive play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Seattle Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., center, celebrates with teammates after forcing New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to fumble during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) recovers a fumble by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie cornerback Devon Witherson scored on a 97-yard interception return late in the third quarter and the Seattle Seahawks tied a team record with 11 sacks in a 24-3 victory over the struggling and offensively inept New York Giants on Monday night.

Geno Smith threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf late in the first quarter after a strip-sack by defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. set up a short drive and Keneth Walker III scored on a 1-yard run just before halftime as the Seahawks (3-1) won their third straight.

A fourth-quarter interception Quandre Diggs set up a field goal by Jason Myers in the fourth quarter as the Seattle improve to 6-0 at MetLife Stadium, including the franchise’s only Super Bowl win.

Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Witherspoon and Uchenna Nwosu each had two sacks. Wagner also had 17 tackles.

Graham Gano kicked a 55-yard field goal for the Giants (1-3), who have played one good half in four games this season and have looked nothing like the team that last year made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Seattle was clinging to a 14-3 lead late in third quarter when the Giants moved from their 43 to the Seahawks 5. On second and goal, Daniel Jones tried to hit Parris Campbell and the receiver seemed to stumble. Jones’ pass went to Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, and he scored almost untouched crossing from the right side of the field to the left to make it 21-3.

DEVON WITHERSPOON 97-YARD PICK-6!

????: #SEAvsNYG on ESPN/ABC
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/3ctCY8GbRh pic.twitter.com/UYoERSHHDq

— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2023

The Giants’ offense has really struggled the past two games with star running back Saquon Barkley out with high ankle sprain and left tackle Andrew Thomas down with hamstring injury for three games.

The Seahawks didn’t do a lot against the Giants’ defense. The only real drive they had was seven plays, 75 yards just before halftime that was engineered by backup Drew Lock, who replaced Smith after he tweaked a knee and needed X-Rays. The drive included a 51-yard pass to Noah Fant.

Smith, who returned for the second half, finished 13 of 20 for 110 yards. A battered Jones was 27 of 34 for 203 yards. He ran 10 times for 66 yards.