Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll doesn't have an explanation for all of his team's late-game loss of cool but he does have an explanation for the play that started it all by defensive end Michael Bennett.

Following a third-and-11 conversion by the Jacksonville Jaguars to essentially ice their matchup with the Seahawks and preserve a 30-24 home win, their opponent hadn't quite given up the ghost yet. With one timeout remaining, the Seahawks continued to try to reacquire the football by strange means with the Jaguars in victory formation. While that was occurring Bennett appeared to be executing a roll into Jaguars center Brandon Linder's leg, which without context looks extremely dirty.

However, Carroll says the play was actually a football idea not an attempt to injury Linder after a very chippy affair.

"We still had a chance to get the ball back; so we're going to keep trying and that's what we're doing," Carroll said Monday morning on 710 ESPN Seattle's "Brock and Salk" show. "I heard about in the broadcast that they thought he rolled up on the guys legs. Mike was trying to swipe the snap. He was trying to time it up and swipe the snap and that was what he was down on the ground for. We came off hard and they took some kind of concern about that. I get it. Unfortunately, it went out of whack."

The Seahawks still down only a score with a timeout in their hands weren't quite ready to go home, despite having a nearly zero percent chance of winning at that point. Their actions including Bennett's led to a near melee. The Jaguars also thought Bennett was trying to injure Linder, which led to running back Leonard Fournette coming to his center's aid. Seahawks defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, then, took a swipe at Fournette leading to Richardson's ejection. It's also well-documented now what happened with Seahawks defensive end Quinton Jefferson and the EverBank Field faithful after that, when he was ejected on the next play.

But, of all the participants involved, only one has a microscope under him due to his off-the-field work, racial inequality protest and being named Seahawks Man of the Year on Thursday. Critics are looking to take down Bennett and even supporters were left searching for answers over what looked to be a dirty play. Carroll was aware of that as well.

"I think that's how it's taken. And it's unfortunate," Carroll said, when asked if the situation and perception afterwards was mad tougher because of Bennett's off-the-field work. "He is walking the fine line. He's on the edge with making his stands and stuff. It's unfortunate. I go back to -- I don't know exactly how that all twisted up down there on the ground and all that --- but I know what Mike was trying to do. He was trying to time the snap up and they take concern about that."

However, Carroll was pushed further on the matter. Former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard contested the initial swipe wasn't what people took exception to most but the scuffle afterwards. Carroll acknowledged that was a factor too.

"It was after they got tangled up and that's what happened. Unfortunately, it's a bad situation," he said.

(The Seahawks completely lost their cool in a 30-24 loss to the Jaguars that saw two players ejected. Don't MISS any updates on highlights, injuries and league discipline, as they continue to try to make a playoff push. Stay informed right along with us -- take five seconds to Sign up for our Free Seahawks newsletter now!)

Anyone can judge the play for themselves. Daryl Johnston seemed to take exception with the play as a whole along with Linder. At that point, everything breaks down and Bennett retaliates further.

Michael Bennett dangerously rolls into the centers leg. Sheldon Richardson ejected for throwing a punch. pic.twitter.com/Qsyr7FJWNH — Jesse Foster (@Jesse__Foster) December 11, 2017

No matter the explanation, the issue isn't a good look for Bennett but perhaps the root of the trouble doesn't come from an intent to hurt but instead to get his team the football back. Maybe that aspect of the madness is a small quibble but it's a distinction nonetheless.

And one Carroll clearly felt needed to be addressed and explained.

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