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Marshawn Lynch saves the day for Seattle, scooping up a fumble and gaining 20 yards (VIDEO)

Seattle started terribly in its wild-card game against Washington, falling behind 14-0. It was 14-3 when Seattle's fumbled read-option handoff was on the turf, waiting for the Redskins to scoop it up and turn the first half into a rout.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch somehow turned it into a 20-yard gain. It might be the most Beast Mode thing he does in the game.

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Seattle turned that great heads-up play into a touchdown later in the drive, and by halftime the Redskins' lead was down to 14-13.

The key play of the first half came about halfway through the second quarter with Seattle at its own 45. Quarterback Russell Wilson put the ball into Lynch's gut but pulled it back, but the ball caromed off Lynch's hip as Wilson pulled it back and the ball fell to the ground. Wilson was tackled, so he had no shot to go get it.

[Also: Arian Foster steps up big in Texans wild-card win]

Lynch was on the spot. Even though he didn't get the ball up the middle he was the first one to the ball near the sideline, picking it up in stride. Then he advanced it 20 yards into Redskins territory. It was a great example of hustle and being mentally engaged even when it looked like Lynch wasn't going to be involved in the play.

Had that play turned out differently, the NFC wild-card game might have been over by halftime. Thanks to Lynch making a huge save, the Seahawks were still very much in it, and came back to win and advance.

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