Studs and Duds, Week 17: Jared Cook and Tre’Quan Smith impress

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers, thanks to big plays from Jared Cook and Tre’Quan Smith on a quiet day for Michael Thomas.

DUD: Seattle Seahawks, choke artists

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Sure, the game looked pretty out of hand by halftime, when the San Francisco 49ers led the Seahawks 13-0 and Seattle looked flat. Then came the fourth quarter, and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s time to shine. A comeback ensued, but was cut short after to a pass interference non-call against the 49ers ended a possible game-winning drive for Seattle.

But, not all hope was lost. With 23 seconds left in the game, and the Seahawks on the 49ers 1-yard line, down by five, Seattle took a delay of game penalty. Inches away from victory, the offense committed a mental error which affected up to four different team’s playoff scenarios. Seattle could not get the job done, and now the Saints are the third seed, and will host the Vikings in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome next Sunday afternoon.

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