Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has gained so many tough yards, scored so many big touchdowns, the surprise was when he fumbled in the third quarter of last night’s playoff win.
But though he didn’t say much after the game, his teammates said they weren’t concerned about the turnover.
“One thing about 24,” fullback Michael Robinson said, via Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times.”You don’t ever have to worry about his mindset.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Lynch was “too tough to let something like that bother him,” and he certainly showed that down the stretch.
Lynch came back to score the game-winning touchdown (following a block by quarterback Russell Wilson), and gained 99 of his 132 yards in the second half.
Washington had only allowed teams to rush for 150 yards twice in the regular season, but the Seahawks did that in the second half alone, wearing down the Redskins for 224 for the game.
Lynch was the main part of that, and the way he got better as the night wore on was impressive, averaging 2.5 yards per carry in the first quarter, but gradually increasing from 4.7 in the second to 7.7 in the third and 8.8 per attempt in the fourth.
“I feel like he ran the hell out of the ball,” center Max Unger said.
Lynch didn’t talk to reporters after the game, but a team spokesman sent out a statement about Wilson’s block: “It was cool. He made a good play. I appreciate it.”
And they appreciate the way he continues to run, regardless of a momentary setback.