The rookie cornerback scores on a 97-yard interception return late in the third quarter and Seattle ties a team record with 11 sacks in a 24-3 victory over the struggling Giants
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon during the first quarter on Monday night in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks dominated on defense, with Witherspoon recording two of their franchise record-tying 11 sacks and returning an interception 97 yards for a touchdown in a 24-3 win. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, center, celebrates his 97-yard interception return for a touchdown with Coach Pete Carroll and teammates during the third quarter of their game against the New York Giants on Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (17) is pushed out of bounds by the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) steps back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is sacked by Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates with linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks on during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) passes against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) reacts as running back Kenneth Walker III (9) pushes his way across the goal line against the New York Giants for a touchdown during the second quarterof an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with field judge Anthony Jeffries (36) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell (0) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) congratulates place kicker Graham Gano (9) after Gano kicked a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) tackles New York Giants running back Matt Breida (31) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) is tackled by the New York Giants just short of the goal line during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Football fans react during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) cuts behind New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) after intercepting a pass to run it back for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) 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 of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon returns an interception 97 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks to the sidelines after throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown by the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) reacts during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (55) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The New York Giants’ Parris Campbell runs the ball against Riq Woolen (27) of the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks on during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Myles Adams (95) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) hug during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked by Myles Adams of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (55) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) reacts during a scuffle with the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The New York Giants’ Jalin Hyatt, left, is hit by the Seattle Seahawks’ Michael Jackson during the second half at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner during the second half at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) reacts after sacking New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Lance Boykin celebrate after their 24-3 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) greets fans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With all the points the Seattle Seahawks were scoring this season, it was easy to overlook their defense. They were excellent against the run but the pass defense was horrible.
A new Legion of Boom appeared on Monday night and wreaked havoc on Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.
Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon scored on a 97-yard interception return late in the third quarter and the Seahawks tied a team record with 11 sacks in a 24-3 victory over the struggling and offensively inept Giants.
“We’re just getting going,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “We’re just putting it together. A night like this for our defense to play that explosively. I can’t remember seeing double-digit sacks.”
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 Kenneth Walker III scored on a 1-yard run just before halftime as the Seahawks (3-1) won their third straight.
A fourth-quarter interception by Quandre Diggs set up a field goal by Jason Myers as Seattle improved to 6-0 at MetLife Stadium, including the franchise’s only Super Bowl win, a 43-8 decision over Denver in 2014.
Besides the sacks, Seattle held New York, which played without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) for the second straight game, to 248 yards in total offense, 6 for 16 on third down and forced two turnovers.
Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Witherspoon and Uchenna Nwosu each had two sacks.
“I think we needed it. Easy game defensively,” said Wagner, who finished with 17 tackles. “We’ve been getting better. We’ve done a good job stopping the run but the thing was applying pressure. The last game we had a lot of pressures but not as many sacks. This game we turned those pressures into sacks.”
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 made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016.
Seattle was clinging to a 14-3 lead late in the third quarter when the Giants moved from their 43-yard line 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 fifth 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.
“It was a play that we had seen on film formation,” Witherspoon said of his first NFL interception. “He ran basically a return route. I jumped it. He threw the ball and just tried to get to the box. That was my whole mindset.”
The Giants’ offense has really struggled the past two games without Saquon Barkley and left tackle Andrew Thomas missing his third straight game with a hamstring injury.
“No excuses, we didn’t get the job done,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said.
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.
This was the Giants’ second home game this season and both have been ugly. There were mostly Cowboys fans in the stands after a 40-0 season-opening loss and the fans left at the end of this one wore Seahawks colors.
“I’d be upset, too, if I was the fans,” Daboll said. “So there’s a lot of things we’ve got to do better and that’s what we’re going to do.”
STRANGE START
Seattle’s first offensive play from scrimmage took about five minutes. Walker took a handoff and headed right. Inside linebacker Bobby Okereke broke through and seemingly made a tackle for a 2-yard loss. For a moment everyone on the field stopped.
Walker felt his body never touched the turf and he got up and ran 20 yards downfield, stopped and then to the end zone, where an official ruled a touchdown.
There was a long review of the scoring play and video showed Walker’s elbow hit the turf. The touchdown call was reversed.
INJURIES
Seattle: Safety Jamal Adams sustained a concussion on the opening series after being kneed in the helmet attempting to tackle Jones. Adams was playing in his first game since tearing a quadriceps in the 2022 opener. Right guard Phil Haynes aggravated a calf injury and had to leave in the first half. Guard Damiel Lewis (ankle) left in the second quarter
Giants: Rookie center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and No. 2 tight end Daniel Bellinger (knee) left the game in the first half.
UP NEXT
Following a bye week, the Seahawks play at Cincinnati on Oct. 15.
