Seahawks Defense Dominates as Ernest Jones Delivers Game-Changing Pick-Six in Week 13 Win Over Vikings
Heading into Week 13, the message from Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to Sam Darnold was clear: expect the blitz, and be ready to punish it. But when the pressure came, Darnold and the Seahawks offense couldn’t find the answers.
The result? A disjointed, mistake-filled performance that left Seattle’s offense sputtering for much of the game.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, their defense showed up with a vengeance-and then some.
Seattle faced undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, making his first NFL start, and the defense wasted no time making life miserable for the young signal-caller. From the opening snap, Seattle’s front disrupted the pocket, the secondary blanketed receivers, and Brosmer looked every bit the rookie trying to survive against a fast, physical unit.
But the game’s turning point came late in the second quarter, with the Seahawks clinging to a narrow 3-0 lead. After a costly fumble by Darnold gave the Vikings prime field position deep in Seattle territory, Minnesota had a golden opportunity to swing the momentum. With just over three minutes left in the half and facing fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell opted to go for it.
That decision backfired in spectacular fashion.
Brosmer rolled right under heavy pressure from edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence-who’s been playing with a chip on his shoulder all season-and tried to force a throw while going to the ground. That’s when linebacker Ernest Jones IV stepped in. Already closing in on Brosmer, Jones read the play like a seasoned vet, snatched the ill-advised pass out of the air, and took off.
Eighty-four yards later, Jones was in the end zone, and the Seahawks had a 10-0 lead that felt a lot bigger than the scoreboard suggested.
It was the kind of play that defines games-and potentially seasons. Jones didn’t just make a great individual effort; he showcased the instincts and leadership that have made him the heart of this Seahawks defense. He didn’t just react to the play-he anticipated it, putting himself in position to capitalize on a rookie mistake and completely flip the narrative of the game.
From there, the wheels came off for Minnesota. Brosmer would go on to throw three more interceptions, and Seattle’s defense kept its foot on the gas the rest of the way. The Vikings never recovered from that pick-six, and the Seahawks never looked back.
Lawrence, meanwhile, continued his quietly dominant season. The veteran pass rusher has been a revelation in Seattle, and his relentless pressure on Brosmer was a key factor in the rookie’s unraveling.
It’s hard not to think about what could’ve been for Dallas, who let Lawrence walk in free agency. Seattle, on the other hand, is reaping the rewards of that move.
The win moves Seattle to 9-3 on the season, a mark that-thanks to the Rams’ surprising loss to Carolina-puts the Seahawks back atop the NFC West standings. Technically, the Rams still hold the tiebreaker, but Seattle controls its own destiny.
The road ahead won’t be easy. The Seahawks face the Falcons next, a game they’ll be expected to win, but then comes a tricky stretch: the Colts, the Rams, the Panthers, and a potentially massive Week 18 showdown with the 49ers. Every game matters now.
But if Seattle’s defense keeps playing like this-fast, physical, and opportunistic-they’ll be a tough out for anyone. And with leaders like Ernest Jones IV setting the tone, the Seahawks are looking more and more like a team built for December football.