10. Super Bowl XL vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Feb. 5, 2006
Seahawks 10, Steelers 21
Ok, I had to put this on the list for a few reasons: 1) It’s the only Super Bowl game in Seahawks history thus far, 2) It was a fairly close game for most of it and 3) It involved a lot of drama and emotion. In fact, this is the only Seahawks game on here which was a loss for them. Which is why it’s all the way down at #10. But until the 4th quarter, this really was anybody’s game, and had the Seahawks made a few plays that they didn’t (Jackson not pushing off, Stevens not dropping passes, Hasselbeck not throwing the interception), the Seahawks could have been world champs, even with the referees that seemed to be against them.
9. Browner emerges vs. New York Giants, Oct. 9, 2011
Seahawks 36, Giants 25
This game was known for its dramatics in the 4th quarter. The Giants took a 22-19 lead off an incredible one-handed catch 68 yard touchdown by Victor Cruz. After field goals by both teams to make it 25-22 in favor of the Giants, Doug Baldwin caught a go-ahead touchdown to make it 29-25 Seahawks. The Giants got the ball back and drove into the Seahawks red zone, but eventual Pro-Bowler Brandon Browner picked off an Eli Manning pass and raced 94 yards for the game-sealing touchdown. This was one of the most feel-good wins for the Seahawks in the last decade, which is why it makes the list for me. It was the game in which the Seahawks showed they could play with big boys, even on the road. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl five months later.
8. Demolishing the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Dec. 5, 2005
Seahawks 42, Eagles 0
Granted, the Eagles were starting their backup quarterback in this game, but the Seahawks unloaded on the Eagles on the Eagles’ own turf. Three defensive scores helped the Seahawks to victory, and I feel this game, more than any other, gave them confidence which propelled them to the Super Bowl, which is why it made the 8 spot on my list.
7. Michael Boulware’s pick six vs. Miami Dolphins, Nov. 21, 2004 (Attended)
Seahawks 24, Dolphins 17
This was a game not many people will remember, but I do. It was a tight, defensive battle most of the game, although there were a few highlights such as hall of famer Jerry Rice catching his first touchdown as a Seahawk. But, with the game tied at 17, Seahawks rookie safety Michael Boulware picked off an A.J. Feely pass and ran it 63 yards for a touchdown. It’s the kind of play you remember for a while, and since I was at that game, it’s on this list.
6. Big Play Babs sets up win vs. Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 23, 2005
Seahawks 13, Cowboys 10
Another defensive struggle, but another dramatic win. In this game, with it tied at 10, the favored Cowboys were looking to get into field goal range and attempt a game-winning field goal. However, Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux picked off Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, returned it 25 yards to set up a long field goal for young kicker Josh Brown. But Josh made the 50 yarder as time expired, and I gotta say I’ve never seen a kicker so excited.
5. Simultaneous Possession vs. Green Bay Packers, Sept. 24, 2012
Seahawks 14, Packers 12
The most recent game on this list was certainly important. The Packers were a season removed from being NFL champions. It was Monday Night Football. And, the Seahawks were a resurgent team at home. The Seahawks totaled 8 sacks of Green Bay, and with the game on the line, down by 5, quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seahawks attempted a Hail Mary pass which was caught by both M.D. Jennings of the Packers and Golden Tate of the Seahawks. Much controversy has surrounded the call, but outside the controversy, you have to look at this game as one of the best Seahawks games in history.
4. Wild card win vs. Dallas Cowboys, Jan. 6, 2007
Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20
This game has become known as the “Tony Romo fumble” game in which Romo fumbled the snapped football and caused the Cowboys to not even get a field goal attempt off to take the lead. The game was exciting and dramatic throughout. The only thing that would have been better was if it was the Seahawks making a good play to win it, rather than the Cowboys making a bad one to lose it.
3. Shaun Alexander’s 266 yard effort vs. Oakland Raiders, Nov. 11, 2001 (Attended)
Seahawks 34, Raiders 27
This game is at #3 for many reasons. Sure, it’s not a playoff game, but I was there and saw Shaun rush for a still team record 266 yards against the favored Oakland Raiders on Sunday Night Football at Husky Stadium. To have Shaun gash them on prime time really started to put the Holmgren-led Seahawks on the map. There were a ton of Raider fans at the game but they sure left Husky Stadium in a sour mood. This was also Shaun’s breakout game with Ricky Watters still on the team at the time.
2. NFC Championship win vs. Carolina Panthers, Jan. 22, 2006
Seahawks 34, Panthers 14
This has to be the most important victory in Seahawks history, because it sent them to their very first (and so far only) Super Bowl. The Seahawks came in as favorites, but not by much. But they totally controlled the Panthers the entire game. Afterward, every Seahawk fan felt euphoric: The Seahawks were going to Super Bowl! Not a game you forget easily.
1. Beast Mode Run vs. New Orleans Saints, Jan. 8, 2011
Seahawks 41, Saints 36
This was the game that was known for Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast mode” run or his “Beastquake” as it rocked Century Link Field. The defending world champion Saints were heavily favored on the road against the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record. But the Seahawks showed they deserved to be there. The Seahawks led 34-30 in the 4th when Marshawn Lynch broke off the most famous run (if not play) in Seahawks history. Seahawks ended up winning 41-36. They lost next week to the Bears, but this game really put the Pete Caroll-led Seahawks on the map.
