At one point during their blowout 24-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, the Seattle Seahawks faced third-and-goal from the Rams' 1-yard line. Russell Wilson took the snap out of the shotgun, then quickly fired a pass over the head of a defensive back -- who had been faked out of his pants -- to Doug Baldwin in the back of the end zone. Touchdown, Seahawks.
.@DangeRussWilson to @DougBaldwinJr for the @Seahawks TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2016
📱💻: https://t.co/WnjN3VuYXk
📺: NBC + NFLN #TNF#LAvsSEAhttps://t.co/m4M4QWdDR5
The score gave the Seahawks a 17-3 lead that, given the ineptitude of the Rams' offense on this night (and most others), was basically insurmountable. And yet, after the play, star Seahawks corner Richard Sherman was spotted getting into a shouting match with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. (Note: Apparently, Sherman was yelling at Bevell after the Seahawks first down play, on which Russell Wilson was almost intercepted.)
Richard Sherman is screaming at #Seahawks off coor Darrell Bevell on sideline. Bevell yells back. DC Richard pulls Sherman away. Bevell hot
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 16, 2016
Richard Sherman just did what seems many of you want to: He screamed and went at offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on #Seahawks sideline
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 16, 2016
Richard Sherman was yelling at Darrell Bevell on the sidelines; further proof that Sherman is a Seahawks fan.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) December 16, 2016
What was Sherman so upset? He's not a fan of Bevell's play-calling at the goal line.
Richard Sherman said he was upset about the Seahawks throwing from the 1-yard line. Didn't back off. "We've already seen that." pic.twitter.com/WLH875lbLX
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 16, 2016
Richard Sherman: "I don't like when we throw the ball at the one (yard line)."
— Liz Mathews (@Liz_Mathews) December 16, 2016
Richard Sherman video: "I was making sure Pete knew we're not comfortable with you throwing the ball at the 1." https://t.co/XjBKhsEdcb
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) December 16, 2016
"We throw an interception at the 1," Richard Sherman said. "Luckily it went incomplete, and I wasn't going to let them continue to do that."
— Danny O'Neil (@dannyoneil) December 16, 2016
Of course, we all know what Sherman's referring to: Malcolm Butler's interception that cost the Seahawks a chance to win the Super Bowl. (Note: As noted above, Sherman was likely also referring to the first-and-goal pass on which Wilson was almost picked.) This play happened to turn out much differently, and the stakes in this game were much lower (Seattle merely had a chance to clinch the NFC West), but he was still not happy with the decision.
For his part, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after the game of Sherman's outburst, "It was nothing. It was just guys being fired up." For what it's worth, Carroll himself was then spotted having a post-game discussion with Sherman that did not appear to go well, either.
Interesting scene post-game in the locker room with Richard Sherman and Pete Carroll pic.twitter.com/Kt0SofkrNz
— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey) December 16, 2016
The Seahawks are 9-4-1, they've clinched the division and they're heading to the playoffs. In all likelihood, this is just a blip in their run. But it's now something to watch out for as they move forward.