In arguably the biggest upset in NFL Playoff history, the Seattle Seahawks have defeated the New Orleans Saints 41-36 following one of the most memorable games of the season.
Led by Matt Hasselbeck (4 touchdown passes, 272 yards) and an inspiring run by Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks ended the Saints’ dreams of back to back Super Bowl titles, and continued their run to their first ever championship.
Coming into the game with the worst record in the regular season (7W-9L) of any team in this year’s playoffs, Seattle managed to turn a ten point deficit into a remarkable five point victory after Lynch beat half a dozen defenders in one of the more dominant runs this season.
It had not looked promising for the Seahawks as they let a 34-20 lead slip, thanks to another solid performance from New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. Brees looked set to lead the Saints (11-6) towards another one of their famous comebacks.
However, following several missed tackles and outstanding footwork from Lynch, Seattle scored a TD with 3:22 left as Seattle finished off their stunned opponents. The win means they will face either the Atlanta Falcons or Chicago Bears next weekend.
Whilst everyone, including the Seahawks supporters, seemed stunned by the amazing turn of events, Seattle head coach Pete Caroll removed any doubts about his team’s attitude after the game:
“We kind of expected to win,” said the first-year coach. “I know that sounds crazy, but we did expect to win. The fact that it happened, it’s just kind of like, we want to take it in stride and go to the next one. I know it sounds crazy, but that’s the way the mindset of this team was.”
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who had fluid drained from his hip in order to play, threw two touchdown passes to tight end John Carlson in the first half and one to Mike Williams to set up a 31-20 lead.
“Through all the tough stuff we had to go through the opportunity was still there for us to host a home playoff game against a really good team and I think we were all excited about it,” Hasselbeck said. “It was fun.” “We respect the heck out of the Saints, but I think we felt something special all week and today, and we’ll see,” he said. “It’s a good start for us.”
It wasn’t until Marshaw Lynch’s 67-yard TD, during which he broke four tackles and stiff-armed cornerback Tracy Porter, that Seattle became the first team to win a Playoffs game with a losing record. Lynch finished the game with 131 yards from 19 carries, becoming first Seahawks back to make over 100 yards this season.
Hey, supercoach? Choose your own ultimate NFL team and compete with other players for cash prizes in daily competitions on any match. If you’re after the best odds on the NFL, PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The extraordinary episodes after his life as an American Football hero quite overshadowed the career of O.J. Simpson, who has died at the age…
The Kansas City Chiefs, steered brilliamtly at the end by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, downed the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to secure…
San Francisco 49ers will make their eighth appearance in the Super Bowl after a stellar season from a team stacked with real talent across the whole line-up.
The Chiefs are no longer strangers to playing matches in February. What was once a multi-generational 50-year drought has become an almost yearly tradition.
Daniel Faalele and Mitch Wishnowsky have kept their Super Bowl dreams alive, with Baltimore and San Francisco winning the divisional round playoff.
Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to his 24-year…
