Improbable Safety

The Seattle Seahawks turned Ricky Watters’ fumble into an improbable safety with 2:24 to go as they rallied to beat the Oakland Raiders, 27-24, Saturday.

Watters had a 53-yard run before Charles Woodson knocked the ball out of his hands at the Seattle 25. Strong safety Marquez Pope recovered the ball at the two, but slid into the end zone, where he was touched down by Seahawk wide receiver James Williams for a safety that cut Oakland’s lead to 24-21.

A little-known rule states that momentum can’t carry the defender into the end zone unless it’s on an interception.