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Rookie Nick Emmanwori amazing 'Superman' dive keeps Seahawks close in Atlanta

Rookie second-round draft pick Nick Emmanwori's amazing blocked field goal is keeping the struggling Seattle Seahawks in the game early against the Atlanta Falcons.
Nov 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) reacts after a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Nov 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) reacts after a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Looks like one of those days for veteran Sam Darnold. Thankfully - for now - the Seattle Seahawks are blessed with rookie Nick Emmanwori.

The Seahawks, who are 9-3 and heavily favored to beat the Falcons in Atlanta today, have dodged a couple of bullets in the first half. Darnold, who at times plays like an MVP-caliber quarterback and at others commits crucial mistakes, has taken a sack at his own 1-yard line and thrown an interception deep in Seattle territory in an ugly first half.

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The sack ended the Seahawks' first possession and set up a Falcons' field goal. The interception almost did the same, if not for Emmanwori.

Early in the second quarter Darnold's pass to tight end Elijah Arroyo was tipped and picked off by Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes. But the defense held and forced a 50-yard field goal attempt. This time, Emmanwori put on his Superman cape and made one of the prettiest blocked field goals in recent memory.

Lining up on the right side of Seattle's line, the rookie was shot out of a cannon and went basically untouched. At the last second he dove - horizontal to the ground - and stretched up his right hand to block the kick and save a possible three points for the Seahawks.

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The Seahawks caught another break late in the first half when Falcons' receiver Darnell Mooney caught a touchdown pass but stepped out of bounds before the catch, forcing Atlanta to settle for a field goal.

While Darnold and the offense sputter against the 4-8 Falcons, the defense and Emmanwori are keeping the game close. The second-round rookie is a star in the making on defense and special teams.

The Seahawks and Falcons are tied 6-6 at halftime.

Seahawks-Falcons
Seahawks-Falcons | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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