As the Seattle Seahawks trade haymakers with the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Championship Game showdown that would have Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns blushing, the Seahawks may have given the Rams a free touchdown thanks to two terrible plays from cornerback Riq Woolen in the third quarter.
As the Rams looked prepared to hand the ball back to Seattle, Woolen gave them a free first down after getting called for a taunting penalty. What happened next was poetic justice in its finest form, though it may end up costing the Seahawks a chance at a Super Bowl appearance if things keep getting worse.
On the very next play, Stafford connected with Puka Nacua in the end zone, cutting Seattle's lead to 31-27 in the third quarter. LA has now thrown three touchdowns in this contest, showing that picking on weak spots like Woolen can be one way to move the ball against the Seahawks defense.
Seahawks fans must be furious after Riq Woolen taunting penalty, Puka Nacua touchdown
Woolen is no stranger to letting bad plays like this snowball. In Week 1, something similar happened in reverse, as Woolen was burned for a long pass before giving up even more yardage with a dumb penalty. The 6-4 corner is getting roasted by the Rams' passing attack.
With Devon Witherspoon emerging as one of the best young cornerbacks in the game, Nick Emmanwori's rise to the role of defensive X-factor, and castoff Josh Jobe starting to find a home in this defense, Woolen appears to be the odd man out in this scheme.
Woolen went from someone who led the NFL in interceptions with six as a rookie to a player who is regressing every year and seemingly not a big part of Mike Macdonald's defense. Woolen's bone-headed plays like that decrease the likelihood he will be back in Seattle next year.
If the Rams end up forcing a comeback in this game, many will look to this moment as the exact spot where Seattle let LA get up off the mat, thanks to Woolen being unable to lock in when it matters.