Hey guys, I first want to start out by apologizing for the long delay in
between blog posts. I've been busy and
really haven't felt the need or want to write about something. Anyway, here we are in 2014 and the Seahawks
have made it to their second ever Super Bowl.
What a great season they have had, and hopefully it ends on a high
note. I'm going to talk about my life as
a Seahawk fan for a bit, how I became a Seahawks fan and certain notable games
I remember, and then it will all lead up to my predictions for the Super Bowl,
which will include an interesting analogy.
The first Seahawks season that I can remember was 1999, the last season in the Kingdome. The Seahawks went 9-7 that year, winning the AFC West Division Championship and earning their first playoff trip since 1988. I got into the Seahawks around that time because I had just gotten into watching sports (including the Mariners and Sonics), but also because of my dad. Before I was born, my dad would record every Seahawks game on VHS, but had to stop once me and my sister were born. I remember watching one of the games he recorded. He eventually gave the tapes of the games to Seahawks and Seattle sports super fan, Lorin Sandretzky, also known as "Big Lo".
I even went to a few games in Husky Stadium while Seahawks Stadium (which eventually became Qwest Field which became CenturyLink Field) was being built. I saw the Seahawks lose to the Broncos, but I also saw the Hawks cream the Raiders on Sunday Night Football, in which Shaun Alexander got a team record 266 yards rushing. I feel after that game I really fell in love with the Seahawks.
After 1999, the Seahawks still remained in mediocrity until 2003, when they made the playoffs again. I remember watching that playoff game against the Packers in the freezing cold, when the game went into overtime. Matt Hasselbeck infamously declared, "We want the ball, we're gonna score". He then proceeded to throw a pick six to Al Harris to seal the win for the Packers. The Seahawks made the playoffs the following year, but lost to the Rams at home in the playoffs, which also happens to be the last time the Seahawks lost a home playoff game.
The following year, of course, was the Seahawks Super Bowl season. I was so hung up on every game that every loss left me devastated and depressed for the next week. After the Super Bowl loss to the Steelers, I was so upset that I smashed every one of my Steelers miniature helmets I had at the time.
The remaining Seahawks players made the playoffs a few more times, but never mustered any real playoff run. Then the Seahawks had a few bad seasons, which eventually led to them hiring Pete Carroll. Pete and John Schneider, the GM, have put together arguably the best roster in Seahawks history. Now they are one win away from the team's first ever Super Bowl title.
I haven't let myself get hung up on games this year like in years past. Just last season, when the Seahawks playoff run ended in a loss to the Falcons, I remember feeling so hopeless for the team, thinking that was our only shot. But now, the following season, the Seahawks have gotten to the final game. But for this game, I'm not going to let it affect me as much as others if we lose. It helps to have a team and quarterback as opposition that I'm both a fan of. I can never hate the Broncos or Peyton Manning, because they're both a big reason why I became a bigger fan of football than anything else. If the Seahawks lose, it's not the end of the world, nor is it the end of their run.
Now, for predictions. At the start of the football season, way back in August, I predicted a Super Bowl matchup between the Broncos and Seahawks, and look how right I was. Sure, I missed on a few playoff teams (Oops on Texans, Ravens, Falcons, Giants, and Rams), but I got the end result correct. Now, I predicted a final score of 27-24 Broncos. But that was when I thought our defense would have a bit of a down year with a new defensive coordinator. So, let's go over what I think will really happen:
First quarter:
Seahawks win toss--defer to second half
-Manning and Broncos slowed by weather, punt on first possession.
-Wilson and Seahawks go 3 and out, which is something we've grown used to seeing over the past couple months.
-Broncos get decent field position thanks to a good punt return by Decker, but settle for a field goal.
- Seahawks get ball and are driving as quarter ends.
After one quarter: DEN-3, SEA-0
Second quarter:
- Seahawks drive to red zone, but a fumbled exchange between Lynch and Wilson gives the ball to the Broncos.
- Peyton Manning finds Demaryius Thomas for a long bomb, scoring the game's first TD.
- Seahawks drive again, thanks to some good runs by Lynch, but have to settle for a field goal.
- Broncos get stopped on some pass deflections by the Legion of Boom.
- Seahawks get ball back, but have to settle for a sizeable field goal try, which Hauschka misses to end the half.
After two quarters: DEN-10, SEA-3
Third quarter:
- Seahawks go 3 and out to start the half.
- Broncos drive to the red zone, but Manning is stripped by Cliff Avril and the Seahawks recover.
- Wilson finds Golden Tate on a 40 yard strike, which eventually sets up a Lynch touchdown to tie the game.
- On Manning's first pass of the next drive, Byron Maxwell steps in front of a pass and returns it for a TD.
After three quarters: DEN-10, SEA-17
Fourth quarter:
- Manning and the Broncos go on a methodical drive, getting chunks of short passes and eventually get a Julius Thomas TD.
- Seahawks get to 40 yard line, go for it on 4th down, but can't convert.
- Broncos drive and get to a 4th and 1, but with the conditions and without a strong running game they have to kick a field goal, which Matt Prater does.
- Seahawks get the ball back, but are stopped on 3rd down near midfield. Carroll decides to punt and Jon Ryan is able to pin the Broncos at the 10, with about 3 minutes to go.
- Manning and the offense is stuffed, but they take the time down to 2 minutes. They punt it away to Tate, who muffs it at first but then recovers and gets a few yards.
- Seahawks get a clutch pass to Doug Baldwin, which is a tiptoe sideline catch on third down, which many people will then say is one of the best Super Bowl catches ever. The Seahawks run out of downs, however, and settle for a game tying field goal. Broncos take their remaining timeouts to keep time on the clock, but once they get the ball decide to just kneel.
After four quarters: DEN-20, SEA-20
That's right, the first ever Super Bowl to go into overtime!
Overtime:
- Seahawks lose the toss, which is fine with them because of their D.
- Broncos get the ball, and a pass is tipped and intercepted by Earl Thomas, who returns it to the Broncos 40!
- Seahawks get a first down with a few Lynch runs, and set up a game winning field goal try from the 22. Hauschka makes it, and the Seahawks win one of the most dramatic Super Bowls in history.
FINAL SCORE: DEN-20, SEA-23
MVP: Marshawn Lynch, 21-105, 1 TD
I think if the above were to happen many Seahawks fans would die of heart failure. Anything's possible, though. Before I wrap up, an analogy like I promised:
Their once was a team with a great defense. Maybe even better than great. They had talent at every level on the defense. Their offense was above average and usually good enough to get them enough points to win. Sound familiar? No, this isn't the Seahawks. This team I'm talking about had a good running game as well, and some receivers that weren't All-Pro but made the big catches when it mattered. Their quarterback wasn't even a Pro Bowler, but he was good enough.
This team made it all the way to the Super Bowl as a representative for the NFC. They had the best defense in the league, and maybe, one of the best defenses ever, with two already having gone to the Hall of Fame. In the Super Bowl, they faced the team with the #1 offense and the League MVP at Quarterback. But in the Super Bowl, they stopped this #1 offense by getting FIVE interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. This team? The 2002-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They beat the #1 offense of the Raiders and MVP Rich Gannon in Super Bowl XXXVII by a score of 48-21. All I'm saying is that if the Buccaneers can do it, so can the Seahawks. Sure, Peyton Manning might be a step or two above Rich Gannon, but now is the time to shine as a defense, just like the Buccaneers did. This was also the last time the #1 offense and #1 defense met in the Super Bowl.
So, let's hope the Seahawks can repeat what the Buccaneers did. Let's hope for the first major sports championship in this city in 35 years. Let's hope for a Seahawks Super Bowl Title! GO HAWKS!!!
The first Seahawks season that I can remember was 1999, the last season in the Kingdome. The Seahawks went 9-7 that year, winning the AFC West Division Championship and earning their first playoff trip since 1988. I got into the Seahawks around that time because I had just gotten into watching sports (including the Mariners and Sonics), but also because of my dad. Before I was born, my dad would record every Seahawks game on VHS, but had to stop once me and my sister were born. I remember watching one of the games he recorded. He eventually gave the tapes of the games to Seahawks and Seattle sports super fan, Lorin Sandretzky, also known as "Big Lo".
I even went to a few games in Husky Stadium while Seahawks Stadium (which eventually became Qwest Field which became CenturyLink Field) was being built. I saw the Seahawks lose to the Broncos, but I also saw the Hawks cream the Raiders on Sunday Night Football, in which Shaun Alexander got a team record 266 yards rushing. I feel after that game I really fell in love with the Seahawks.
After 1999, the Seahawks still remained in mediocrity until 2003, when they made the playoffs again. I remember watching that playoff game against the Packers in the freezing cold, when the game went into overtime. Matt Hasselbeck infamously declared, "We want the ball, we're gonna score". He then proceeded to throw a pick six to Al Harris to seal the win for the Packers. The Seahawks made the playoffs the following year, but lost to the Rams at home in the playoffs, which also happens to be the last time the Seahawks lost a home playoff game.
The following year, of course, was the Seahawks Super Bowl season. I was so hung up on every game that every loss left me devastated and depressed for the next week. After the Super Bowl loss to the Steelers, I was so upset that I smashed every one of my Steelers miniature helmets I had at the time.
The remaining Seahawks players made the playoffs a few more times, but never mustered any real playoff run. Then the Seahawks had a few bad seasons, which eventually led to them hiring Pete Carroll. Pete and John Schneider, the GM, have put together arguably the best roster in Seahawks history. Now they are one win away from the team's first ever Super Bowl title.
I haven't let myself get hung up on games this year like in years past. Just last season, when the Seahawks playoff run ended in a loss to the Falcons, I remember feeling so hopeless for the team, thinking that was our only shot. But now, the following season, the Seahawks have gotten to the final game. But for this game, I'm not going to let it affect me as much as others if we lose. It helps to have a team and quarterback as opposition that I'm both a fan of. I can never hate the Broncos or Peyton Manning, because they're both a big reason why I became a bigger fan of football than anything else. If the Seahawks lose, it's not the end of the world, nor is it the end of their run.
Now, for predictions. At the start of the football season, way back in August, I predicted a Super Bowl matchup between the Broncos and Seahawks, and look how right I was. Sure, I missed on a few playoff teams (Oops on Texans, Ravens, Falcons, Giants, and Rams), but I got the end result correct. Now, I predicted a final score of 27-24 Broncos. But that was when I thought our defense would have a bit of a down year with a new defensive coordinator. So, let's go over what I think will really happen:
First quarter:
Seahawks win toss--defer to second half
-Manning and Broncos slowed by weather, punt on first possession.
-Wilson and Seahawks go 3 and out, which is something we've grown used to seeing over the past couple months.
-Broncos get decent field position thanks to a good punt return by Decker, but settle for a field goal.
- Seahawks get ball and are driving as quarter ends.
After one quarter: DEN-3, SEA-0
Second quarter:
- Seahawks drive to red zone, but a fumbled exchange between Lynch and Wilson gives the ball to the Broncos.
- Peyton Manning finds Demaryius Thomas for a long bomb, scoring the game's first TD.
- Seahawks drive again, thanks to some good runs by Lynch, but have to settle for a field goal.
- Broncos get stopped on some pass deflections by the Legion of Boom.
- Seahawks get ball back, but have to settle for a sizeable field goal try, which Hauschka misses to end the half.
After two quarters: DEN-10, SEA-3
Third quarter:
- Seahawks go 3 and out to start the half.
- Broncos drive to the red zone, but Manning is stripped by Cliff Avril and the Seahawks recover.
- Wilson finds Golden Tate on a 40 yard strike, which eventually sets up a Lynch touchdown to tie the game.
- On Manning's first pass of the next drive, Byron Maxwell steps in front of a pass and returns it for a TD.
After three quarters: DEN-10, SEA-17
Fourth quarter:
- Manning and the Broncos go on a methodical drive, getting chunks of short passes and eventually get a Julius Thomas TD.
- Seahawks get to 40 yard line, go for it on 4th down, but can't convert.
- Broncos drive and get to a 4th and 1, but with the conditions and without a strong running game they have to kick a field goal, which Matt Prater does.
- Seahawks get the ball back, but are stopped on 3rd down near midfield. Carroll decides to punt and Jon Ryan is able to pin the Broncos at the 10, with about 3 minutes to go.
- Manning and the offense is stuffed, but they take the time down to 2 minutes. They punt it away to Tate, who muffs it at first but then recovers and gets a few yards.
- Seahawks get a clutch pass to Doug Baldwin, which is a tiptoe sideline catch on third down, which many people will then say is one of the best Super Bowl catches ever. The Seahawks run out of downs, however, and settle for a game tying field goal. Broncos take their remaining timeouts to keep time on the clock, but once they get the ball decide to just kneel.
After four quarters: DEN-20, SEA-20
That's right, the first ever Super Bowl to go into overtime!
Overtime:
- Seahawks lose the toss, which is fine with them because of their D.
- Broncos get the ball, and a pass is tipped and intercepted by Earl Thomas, who returns it to the Broncos 40!
- Seahawks get a first down with a few Lynch runs, and set up a game winning field goal try from the 22. Hauschka makes it, and the Seahawks win one of the most dramatic Super Bowls in history.
FINAL SCORE: DEN-20, SEA-23
MVP: Marshawn Lynch, 21-105, 1 TD
I think if the above were to happen many Seahawks fans would die of heart failure. Anything's possible, though. Before I wrap up, an analogy like I promised:
Their once was a team with a great defense. Maybe even better than great. They had talent at every level on the defense. Their offense was above average and usually good enough to get them enough points to win. Sound familiar? No, this isn't the Seahawks. This team I'm talking about had a good running game as well, and some receivers that weren't All-Pro but made the big catches when it mattered. Their quarterback wasn't even a Pro Bowler, but he was good enough.
This team made it all the way to the Super Bowl as a representative for the NFC. They had the best defense in the league, and maybe, one of the best defenses ever, with two already having gone to the Hall of Fame. In the Super Bowl, they faced the team with the #1 offense and the League MVP at Quarterback. But in the Super Bowl, they stopped this #1 offense by getting FIVE interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. This team? The 2002-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They beat the #1 offense of the Raiders and MVP Rich Gannon in Super Bowl XXXVII by a score of 48-21. All I'm saying is that if the Buccaneers can do it, so can the Seahawks. Sure, Peyton Manning might be a step or two above Rich Gannon, but now is the time to shine as a defense, just like the Buccaneers did. This was also the last time the #1 offense and #1 defense met in the Super Bowl.
So, let's hope the Seahawks can repeat what the Buccaneers did. Let's hope for the first major sports championship in this city in 35 years. Let's hope for a Seahawks Super Bowl Title! GO HAWKS!!!
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