Seattle Leathernecks Edge Out Los Angeles USMC in Week 3 Thriller
By Marty Beets, Seattle Times Sports Reporter
After a heart-wrenching loss to the Atlantic City Aces in Week 2, the Seattle Leathernecks were determined to bounce back in Week 3, facing the favored Los Angeles USMC. On paper, this contest appeared to tilt in favor of the visiting team, with an 8.2-point advantage.
However, when it comes to football, the game isn’t played on paper, and the Leathernecks were poised to prove that. The dynamic duo of Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill once again showcased their prowess, asserting their claim as the best tandem in the league. The Miami Duo wasted no time, connecting on a long touchdown to set the tone early in the game on Sunday. On Thursday, though, it was the USMC who jumped out to a fast start, fueled by a 25-point performance from Debo Samuel.
As the contest unfolded, it turned into a seesaw battle, with the outcome hanging in the balance until Monday Night Football in Cincinnati. It was there that running back Joe Mixon, who had been waiting for his first touchdown of the season, finally found the endzone. The Leathernecks narrowly edged out the USMC with a final score of 129.2-127.1, propelling themselves to a 2-1 record for the season and securing the top spot in the Emerald Division.
After the game, Seattle Owner Nathan Simmons shared his perspective on the win, stating, “To put it plainly, we had more grit than USMC this week, and that’s what it came down to.” Undoubtedly, grit played a crucial role in the Leathernecks’ victory, but it’s also worth noting the commendable performance of Seattle’s run defense, which limited the usually prolific Derrick Henry to just 4 points and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs to 11.2.
Looking ahead, the Leathernecks, now standing at 2-1, are set to host the winless Albuquerque Roadrunners in Week 4. With a busy schedule that includes a highly anticipated matchup against the Moscow Black Bears in Week 5, I wrapped up my interview with Nathan Simmons by asking whether the team might be looking past Week 4 to their hyped contest in Week 5. Simmons emphatically replied, “We are not overlooking ABQ, even if their owner is facing challenges. We have respect for their team, and our focus is solely on Moscow next week. What truly matters is that we aim to be 1-0 when Tuesday morning arrives.”
