Jadeveon Clowney expects death threats for hit on Carson Wentz, says Eagles have 'worst fans in the world'

Nate Davis | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption NFL wild-card overreactions: Saints, Patriots championship windows closing SportsPulse: Wild-card weekend lived up to its name with a few stunning results, none bigger than the realization that the Patriots and Saints championship windows may have closed.

PHILADELPHIA — Jadeveon Clowney drastically changed the complexion of the Seahawks' wild-card win over the Eagles on Sunday. And now Seattle's star defensive end is expecting the worst even though he said he never meant to knock out Philadelphia's Carson Wentz in the first quarter, an injury that sidelined the quarterback from a contest the Eagles lost 17-9.

"There might be death threats," Clowney said in the victorious locker room afterward, while also opining that the locals who fill up Lincoln Financial Field are the "worst fans in the world."

Clowney said he was the target of such intimidation last year, when he was still a member of the Texans. Houston lost a Week 16 game in Philadelphia 32-30 after then-Eagles quarterback Nick Foles led a game-winning field-goal drive on the day's final possession — despite missing one play after Clowney forced him to the sideline on a late hit that brought a roughing the passer flag.

The helmet-to-helmet hit on Wentz in Sunday's matchup did not draw a penalty, as referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter there was only "incidental" contact on the play.

"I was just playing fast, and he turned like he was running the ball, so I was trying to get him down," said Clowney. "It was a bang-bang play. I don't intend to hurt anybody in this league, let me just put that out there. I've been down the injury road; it's not fun.

"That's a great player over there for their team and for their organization. I hope he's OK. Like I said, I didn't intend to hurt him. I didn't even know he went out of the game until the next series. I thought it was just a small hit, but everybody was going crazy on the sidelines. I was just trying to finish the play, but it happened."

The Eagles remained within striking distance under backup Josh McCown but never really seemed poised to overtake Seattle despite the relatively close score.

McCown gave Clowney the benefit of the doubt afterward, but Eagles left tackle Jason Peters was less forgiving.

"I just told him, 'man, that's a dirty play,' " said the nine-time Pro Bowler of Clowney. "He's like, 'my bad,' you know, and we just kept playing. I just kept reminding him, 'come on, man, stay off my quarterback.' "

Clowney largely complied, sacking McCown just one time. But now he might be wise to stay off his social media accounts.

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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

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