Leonard Williams' 67th career game at MetLife Stadium was his best.
It was also the first time he didn't suit up for the Jets or Giants.
Williams returned an interception for a touchdown on Sunday, had two sacks and a blocked kick to torment the team that made him a first-round pick in 2015, leading the Seahawks to a 26-21 victory over the Jets. Ta.
“He's playing at Defensive Player of the Year level,” said safety Julian Love, Williams' teammate with the Giants and Seahawks. “When he takes advantage of a matchup, he senses it from play one and gets his blood pumping the whole game.”
With the Jets looking to extend their lead to 21-7, Williams stepped into the coverage area, deflected a pass into the air and intercepted it, looking ahead to the sunlight and a swarm of blockers.
According to NextGenStats, Williams' speed reached 27.84 mph, making him the fastest speed recorded by an NFL defensive lineman since 2019. His 92-yard touchdown return was the longest pick-six by a defensive lineman in NFL history, according to ESPN Research.
“To be honest, I didn't expect it to go this well,” Williams said. “I thought I was going fast, but you don't know in that moment. All my teammates were pumping me up on the sideline and telling me I was going to move. If I get over 50, I'll suggest it to someone. I wanted to see all the defenders and all the cavalry running down the field.”
Williams was traded by the Giants to the Seahawks as a pending free agent on October 30, 2023, and re-signed to a three-year, $64.5 million contract in the offseason.
He has the most sacks (seven with five games remaining) since 2020, when he totaled 11.5 while playing on the Giants' franchise tag.
“I don't think even that season was as dominant as what I'm doing now,” Williams said. “I think statistics don't necessarily always tell the whole picture. And I think now that I'm older and more mature, I'm able to understand my strengths and strengths.” [opposing] By making our offense more powerful, we can play faster. Adult physical strength has increased. ”
Williams had 2.5 sacks in the last game against the Cardinals, but lost out on NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors to teammate Kobe Bryant, who had a pick-six. Perhaps that's why Williams decided to take matters into his own hands with his first career touchdown.
“I came in here today with a little bit of a shoulder injury,” Williams said. “Part of it is the energy from the whole team and treating every week like the playoffs since the bye week.”
Williams insisted none of that had anything to do with his return to the Meadowlands or revenge against the Jets, who traded him to the Giants in October 2019. He enjoyed seeing some familiar faces, including his last remaining former defensive teammate (Quinnen Williams) who was active in the game.
Williams blocked a PAT after the Jets' first touchdown and closed out the game with two sacks, making sure the Jets' final drive stalled before reaching the red zone. But the pick-six was the biggest thing of all.
“That play changed the game for us,” quarterback Geno Smith said.
