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Russell Wilson & Seahawks QB Coach Austin Davis Make Sure David Moore Earns Bonus

The Seahawk made an unusual call on the game’s penultimate play Sunday, but for a good reason. 

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The Seahawks had the ball, the lead and, with 22 seconds left in the game and the 49ers having no time outs, all they needed to do was take a knee to secure a 26-23 victory. 

But instead of lining up in victory formation and taking a knee, the Seahawks ran an actual play, with David Moore going in motion and Wilson tossing a short pass to the receiver as he passed in front of him. Moore gained 5 yards on his only catch of the game, running out of bounds at the end of the play to stop the clock, a play that baffled the FOX broadcast crew, most viewers at home, and from the looks of it, perhaps even Pete Carroll. 

The Seahawks then took a knee on the following play to finish off their 12th victory of the 2020 season, and after the game Wilson explained the unusual play. As it turns out, Moore was one catch away from hitting a contract incentive that would pay him an extra $100,000, so after talking with quarterback coach Austin Davis about it, Wilson decided to audible to a safe, short pass to get Moore the completion. 

"We called that play because David had $100,000 if he gets that catch," Wilson said. "It's a blessing to be able to help family, his daughter and all that stuff. So we wanted to get him that catch, and we were able to dial that up for him that last play."

Wilson said he knew coming into the game that Moore needed one catch to get that bonus, but the ball kept finding Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf throughout the game, leading to that unconventional play-call at the end of the game.

"I kind of knew in the back of my head, and then the game was going on and Tyler was making all the catches, and DK was making a few here and there," Wilson said. "I tried to get one to him earlier but they kind of covered it, so it was, 'Ah, shoot, OK.' And then it was the last drive we got the ball back and we're in the huddle, and I was like, 'Hold on, let's get this call here.' So we were able to do that. Austin and I were talking about it on the sideline as well, so we were able to get that in and he got that catch. It's pretty cool, it's a blessing, and he's worked so hard this year so he definitely earned it."

Wilson clarified that after Nick Bellore recovered San Francisco's onside kick, the original plan was to take a knee on first down, but he and Davis then conspired to get Moore his bonus. 

"We were going to kneel it, and then we ended up changing it. Austin and I had talked on the sideline earlier about trying to find a way to get it done, Austin actually said, 'Hey let's get it done, let's do it right here.' So we ended up calling it. I said, 'David, you're going to get the ball here, here we go,' and I kind of winked at him. So that was pretty cool."

The best photos from Week 17's Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers game at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Fueled by Nesquik.

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