You think the Seahawks know how much Kam Chancellor is worth now? After a preseason-long holdout that stretched two games into the regular season, Chancellor announced his return to the limelight with a booming hit and then followed it up with a game-clinching -- and potentially season-saving -- takeaway deep in Seahawks territory.
Leading off Week 4's Top 10 "Performance Moments of the Week" presented by Bridgestone is Chancellor's clutch forced fumble of Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson at the goal line.
The Seahawks controlled most of Monday night's game against Detroit, but up three points and with the clock dwindling in the fourth quarter, Seattle's defense was letting the Lions drive deep into its territory. Matthew Stafford had found Golden Tate and Timothy Wright on 20+ yard gains and was leading Detroit towards the end zone. On a third-and-1 from the Seahawks' 11-yard line with less than two minutes to go, Stafford threw short left to the sure-handed Megatron, who broke away from his defender towards pay dirt. After absorbing two hits from Earl Thomas and Cary Williams, Johnson leaned towards the goal line, completely unaware of one oncoming safety.
Chancellor appeared out of nowhere, formed a fist with his right hand and punched the ball out of Johnson's left arm just before he crossed the goal line. The ball rolled and bounced toward the back of the end zone, and before it could exit, Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright punched the ball out of play, a heady, but technically illegal play that wasn't called by the officials. The play resulted in a touchback and the Seahawks knelt on the ball to preserve a 13-10 win over Detroit.
Bat or no bat, Chancellor's game-saving punchout was so timely, unexpected and skillful that it certainly merits the top spot on this week's list. It announced Chancellor's return to the team, preserved a crucial Seahawks victory and likely reignited a conversation in the Seahawks' front office as to whether Kam should "get paid" -- we already know how Michael Bennett feels.
Speaking of walk-off plays, Drew Brees and new Saints running back C.J. Spiller connected on one of their own on Sunday night. After New Orleans missed a potential game-winning field goal in regulation, the Saints won the toss in overtime. It didn't take long for them to reach the end zone.
On the second play of the extra period, Brees found Spiller to his right running past Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson and lofted a pass to the wheeling back. Spiller caught it, broke a Barry Church tackle and sped off towards the end zone to deliver New Orleans its first win of the season.
Also on the countdown: Follow the bouncing ball!Ed Dickson takes in a mishandled Cam Newton pass for six. ... Janoris Jenkins channels his inner David Tyree. ... It didn't count, but it looks like Odell is still Odell.
