In what is becoming routine for the 2025 Seattle Seahawks, they throttled the Atlanta Falcons 37-9 to improve to 10-3 on the season. In a game that started oddly competitive in the first half, the Seahawks pulled away and outscored the Falcons 31-3
The Seahawks flexed their muscles in all three phases. Quarterback Sam Darnold went 20/30 for 249 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Rashid Shaheed took back the opening kickoff of the second half for a 100-yard touchdown, and the defense was dominant, forcing three turnovers.
One name on defense particularly shined for the Seahawks, and that was rookie standout safety Nick Emmanwori, who is making the case to be the best rookie in his class.
Rookie of the Year
Against the Falcons, Nick Emmanwori had himself a game to remember. Emmanwori had six tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defended, one blocked field goal, one sack, and one interception. According to Seahawks reporter Corbin K. Smith, Emmanwori made history in Atlanta.
“Fun fact: Seahawks are the only team in NFL history to have a player with a sack, tackle for loss, interception, and blocked field goal in the same game. Leonard Williams did it last year, Nick Emmanwori today,” Smith wrote.
Beyond the insanity of two players on the same team, a year apart, being the only two people to accomplish this feat in NFL history, it demonstrates Emmanwori’s rare ability.
Emmanwori was drafted in the second round of the 2025 draft out of the University of South Carolina, and he’s looking like the steal of the draft so far.
His performance against Atlanta is also getting more national recognition. ESPN’s Brady Henderson wrote on Twitter about Emmanwori’s Defensive Rookie of the Year odds boosting.
“Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Emmanwori now has the second-shortest odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s at +700. Browns LB Carson Schwesinger is the odds-on favorite at -600. h/t ESPN Research,” Henderson wrote.
While Schwesinger seems like a lock to win the award, if Emmanwori puts on a few more performances close to what he did on Sunday, he’ll make the race close. And even if awards voters don’t give Emmanwori the honor, his teammates and coaches certainly feel his impact on the game.
Nothing He Can’t Do
Nick Emmanwori, in his less than one year in the NFL, has already earned the respect of everyone in the Seahawks organization. From his teammates in the secondary to the receivers he lines up against at practice, and to his head coach, they all agree that they love Emmanwori.
John Boyle of Seahawks.com wrote about the rave reviews that Emmanwori has been receiving from his peers in his December 7 article. One of those peers is Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
“Bro’s playing his ass off right now,” said cornerback Devon Witherspoon, another standout in Sunday’s game. “He’s 6-4, there’s nothing he can’t do. He’s strong, he’s physical, it’s just a loss for words. He had a hell of a game today.”
Former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp has also recognized the specialness of Emmanwori.
“The things that Emman does out there, what he creates, what he allows the defense to be in and the problems he creates, just in terms of the player that he is, how physical he is, his ability to cover, the athleticism to play man-to-man against whoever’s out there, it’s a very special thing,” Kupp said.
Finally, the man who has praised Emmanwori all season, head coach Mike Macdonald, was ecstatic for him on Sunday.
“Tremendous game,” Macdonald said. “We gave out some game balls, and he got one of the game balls. I’m really happy for him. He’s worked his tail off. He really has. He does it every day. He’s a tremendous asset for us.”
The Seahawks will need Emmanwori to continue playing at a level well beyond his experience as they attempt to chase down the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC West and the number one seed in the conference.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori Making Case for Rookie of the Year appeared first on Heavy Sports.