This is the backstory to one of the great moments of Week 4, the Seattle Seahawks' dramatic comeback win over the Houston Texans, which was highlighted by an interception returned for a game-tying touchdown by Richard Sherman. Sherman's timely pick six, as well as the New England Patriots staying unbeaten due to Aqib Talib halting the Atlanta Falcons' frenzied rally and Patrick Peterson's two interceptions keying the Arizona Cardinals' comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the week. Cast your vote for the GMC Never Say Never Moments of Week 4.
This didn't appear to be the Seattle Seahawks' day, and it seemed that their unbeaten start to the 2013 season would be halted by the host Houston Texans. For starters, the Seahawks defense -- one of the league's stingiest -- allowed 20 points for the first time this season. Those 20 points all came in one quarter, the second, as the Texans built a 17-point lead. The Seahawks offense was stuck in the sand against the Texans' "Bulls on Parade" defense, with quarterback Russell Wilson compiling fewer than 100 yards passing. Rather than let doubt seep in, the Seahawks pushed and persevered for a road win against a two-time defending division champ.
Here are the key moments before the moment:
Tip, tip, hooray
The play: A Matt Schaub pass was at first bobbled, deflected and then bounced off two Seahawks defenders before safety Earl Thomas could snag the ball just inches from the ground.
The aftermath: The Seahawks failed to capitalize on the turnover with the first of six consecutive drives that did not result in points. The Texans would take advantage of the staggering Seahawks, scoring 20 points in the second quarter and looking every bit like the championship outfit some predicted out of Houston this season.
Golden Graham
The play: Schaub hit tight end Garrett Graham for a 31-yard touchdown that gave Houston its first lead of the game.
The aftermath: The touchdown came on the first play of the second quarter and opened the 20-point onslaught against the Seahawks. Aside from the freak bobbled/deflected/bouncing interception, Schaub was stellar in the first half. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns for a 98.7 passer rating against a talented Seahawks defense. The second half would be another story for Schaub.
Tate coughs it up
The aftermath: The turnover occured at the Texans' 21-yard line. The Seahawks' drive didn't manage to gain a yard, but the field position was enough to get kicker Steven Hauschka lined up for a successful 39-yard field-goal attempt to make the score 20-6. TexansPro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt is seen walking off the field with a bloody face, looking terrfyingly intense. After the game, Watt -- with his nose looking particularly nasty -- voiced his frustration and anger to what was about to go down.
Epic drive gives Seahawks hope
The play: Running back Marshawn Lynch scores on a 3-yard touchdown run, trimming the Texans' lead to 20-13.
The aftermath: Lynch's touchdown capped a monumental 98-yard march by the Seahawks. With the forward pass posing little threat, Wilson pulled off this comeback in large part to his legs. Scrambles by Wilson accounted for 53 of those 98 yards. His play-making ability helped the Seahawks convert on third-and-7, twice, and then on fourth-and-3. That clutch fourth-down scramble set up Lynch's score.
The moment
The play: With two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game, Sherman picked off Schaub and raced 58 yards for the game-tying score.
The aftermath: It was a massive mistake for a veteran passer such as Schaub, and Texans coach Gary Kubiak later took responsibility for what transpired. The play ultimately altered what could have been a statement win for the Texans and turned it into something disturbing ... a defeat that has many questioning the big-game capabilities of this team and particularly its quarterback. The Seahawks won in overtime, and the winning score was set up by another controversial play -- an unnecessary-roughness penalty on Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson. Hauschka's overtime field goal lifted the Seahawks to 4-0 for the first time in team history, and the comeback might signify that something special might be unfolding for Seattle.
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
