Seattle Seahawks safety Johnathan Abram was under scrutiny for a dirty play against San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel that wasn’t penalized.
NFL Super Wild Card Weekend officially kicked off with an opening-round game between two NFC West rivals. The San Francisco 49ers, who ended the season on a 10-game winning streak, took on the Seattle Seahawks, who got into the playoffs after their Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Detroit Lions. With so much on the line, tempers were going to flare at some point in the game.
In the third quarter, 49ers Deebo Samuel made a catch and ran for a 21-yard gain at the expense of Seattle’s defense. As Samuel laid down on the football field, Seahawks safety Johnathan Abram can be seen grabbing and twisting his left leg.
Samuel wanted a flag thrown, but did not get his wish.
Deebo Samuel wanted Johnathan Abram penalized after twisting his leg
Abram started off the season with the Las Vegas Raiders, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was then waived by the team this past November, where he was claimed by the Green Bay Packers. Abram’s stint in Green Bay was short-lived, as he was waived at the end of that month. The Seahawks then claimed him on Nov. 30.
While Samuel didn’t get his wish for a penalty called on Abram, the 49ers were able to completely negate the momentum gained by the Seahawks at the end of the first half.
On that drive, San Francisco took a 23-17 lead after quarterback ran for a one-yard touchdown.
San Francisco then scored on their next two offensive drives. After defensive lineman Charles Omenifu forced Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith to fumble, the 49ers extended their lead to 31-17 after a seven-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to running back Elijah Mitchell. On that following drive, Purdy hit Samuel for a huge, 74-yard touchdown pass to further increase their lead to 38-17.
Samuel wasn’t happy about the post-play antics by Abram, but it didn’t seem to affect his game afterward.