2005 Seattle Seahawks: Super Bowl Run

2005 Seattle Seahawks: Super Bowl Run

2005 Seattle Seahawks: Franchise’s First Super Bowl

“We want the ball, and we’re going to score,” proclaimed Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks won the coin toss in overtime and elected to receive against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. On the sixth play of the drive, the Packers’ Al Harris intercepted Hasselbeck and returned it for a touchdown, ending the game and the Seahawks’ season. Hasselbeck’s bold declaration hadn’t paid off, and his overconfidence got the better of him. Soon, though, that same confidence would be channeled positively and lead the 2005 Seattle Seahawks to one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.

A Rocky Start Gives Way to a Historic Streak

Following that playoff loss to the Packers, the Seahawks won the NFC West with a 9-7 record. They made the playoffs again, but once more lost in the Wild Card round. The 2005 season didn’t begin any better. The Seahawks lost their season opener on the road to the Jacksonville Jaguars, then lost again two weeks later to the Washington Redskins, pushing their record to 2-2. That turned out to be the last time the Seahawks would lose for twelve weeks — they won eleven consecutive games before falling to the Packers in Week 17.

Shaun Alexander’s MVP Season

The Seahawks offense was led by star running back Shaun Alexander. Alexander led the league in rushing yards with 1,880 and posted an astounding 28 rushing and receiving touchdowns combined. His stellar season was recognized league-wide, and Alexander was awarded Most Valuable Player honors. Alexander was a touchdown waiting to happen, but the Seahawks were far from a one-dimensional team.

Hasselbeck and a Top-Ranked Offense

Matt Hasselbeck had another terrific season leading the Seahawks offense, completing 66% of his passes for 3,459 yards and 24 touchdowns. Together, Alexander and Hasselbeck made the Seahawks one of the best offenses in the league, scoring 28.2 points per game, which ranked first overall. The Seahawks rode their top-ranked offense to a 13-3 record, another NFC West title, and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

A Playoff Run to Remember

Downing the Redskins

The Washington Redskins faced the Seahawks in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Redskins were one of the few teams to defeat the Seahawks during the regular season, and they hoped to carry that success into the postseason. The Seahawks committed three turnovers but were still able to move the ball against the Redskins’ defense. Hasselbeck threw one touchdown and ran for another as the Seahawks defeated the Redskins 20-10 to advance to the NFC Championship Game against the Carolina Panthers.

Routing the Panthers

The Panthers hoped to return to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year, but the Seahawks used their superior offense and an opportunistic defense to stifle the defending NFC champions. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw three interceptions, while Hasselbeck threw none. Hasselbeck added two touchdown passes, and Shaun Alexander scored two more rushing touchdowns, as the Seahawks routed the Panthers 34-14 to advance to the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XL: A Hard-Fought Loss to Pittsburgh

The 2005 Seattle Seahawks faced a franchise that was no stranger to the Super Bowl: the Pittsburgh Steelers were making their sixth appearance in the championship game.

Super Bowl XL started with a series of punts until Seahawks kicker Josh Brown connected on a 47-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scored on a rushing touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead at halftime. Willie Parker and Jerramy Stevens exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, making the score 14-10 for the Steelers heading into the final quarter. The Steelers then opened up their playbook, calling a trick play that used their wide receiver’s quarterback skills. With less than ten minutes to play, Steelers running back Willie Parker handed the ball to Antwaan Randle El. With the Seahawks defense confused and shifting, Randle El gathered himself and threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Hines Ward. The Steelers went ahead 21-10, and the Seahawks were unable to mount a comeback, closing out a historic season one win short of the franchise’s first championship.