Thomas Rawl’s statline against the San Francisco 49ers was to a scene stealer by itself—30 carries for 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns—but the numbers only hinted at the production. Rawls, the undrafted rookie, in only his third start, went from a frieght train of potential to an all-purpose, every-down back—a rarified package. Rawls was so quick to the attack point, and so decisive, that he was through the gap before the defense could even square up for a tackle. Once a defender was out of position for a tackle, Rawls would turn on the power. Fighting off arm-tackles and shin grabs, he would plant his feet forward, producing meaningful yards after contact. As the game went out, he turned into a first down machine, moving the chains again and again. Hell, he even did a little read-option with Wilson.
His dominance commanded such respect, he even came to run the play-action for himself. In the fourth quarter, 49er safety Jimmie Ward crashed to the line of scrimmage to establish early position on Rawls. Ward stayed with Rawls on the snap, but Ward soon gave up, as Rawls was not given the hand-off. Rawls went slightly limp, slowing down, serving as a minor obstruction to Ward. Ward’s eyes were so stuck on the ball, he gave no notice that Rawls had escaped upfield. While Rawls did this, tight end Luke Willson had also played as if he would run block, but like Rawls, he soon become disinterested, and snuck into the open field. On his third progression, Russell Wilson threw to an open Rawls. With Willson as lead-blocker, 49ers linerback Michael Wilhoite had to slow up, giving Rawls time to secure the ball and cut inside on the overpursing Wilhoite. Rawls took off in a straight line for the end zone, finding Willson at his front to obstruct cornerback Marcus Cromartie.
The result was a touchdown.
