Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: A comeback falls short as season reaches crossroads

With Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck going into the Seahawks Ring of Honor this year, we look back at their finest hour: the 2005 Super Bowl season.

As the 2005 Seahawks headed into Week 4, there was the feeling that they had righted the ship. All their skills and talents had been brought to bear in a rout of the Cardinals the week before as they headed back out on the road to deal with Washington.

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Washington was 2-0 under Joe Gibbs, and with running back Clinton Portis they were able to do what Joe Gibbs teams do: control the clock with a power running game.

That was exactly what happened in the first half. Washington led only 7-3 but dominated time of possession 21:57 to 8:03, wearing the Hawks’ defense out in the process.

Washington scored on its first possession of the second half as 34-year-old quarterback and former UW Husky Mark Brunell threw a 4-yard TD pass. Fortunately, once down 14-3 the Seahawks came alive – more specifically Shaun Alexander came alive, and his 3-yard TD run made it 14-10. Washington added a field goal and the Seahawks started the fourth quarter down by a touchdown.

With less then 7:42 to play, the Hawks marched 91 yards with Matt Hasselbeck hitting Darrell Jackson to tie the game with 1:27 to play. The game had been turnover-free to this point, but the Hawks’ defense came up huge, intercepting Brunell with 43 seconds to play and getting Josh Brown in position for a game-winning 47-yard field goal.

Which hit the upright.

Overtime was excruciating, as a 12-play Washington drive resulted in a 39-yard field goal and a brutal 20-17 Seahawks loss. To add injury to insult, Darrell Jackson, who had nine catches for over 100 yards, suffered some cracked ribs and would be out at least three weeks.

Watch highlights from this game | Box score

Suddenly Seattle was on the ropes again, 2-2 overall and winless on the road. Another road game loomed the following week – this one in St. Louis against their chief tormentors, the Rams, and Hasselbeck would be without his favorite target.

The season was at a crossroads, and it certainly felt like it could go either way. In St. Louis we would find out.

Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind

• Week 3: Offense solves itself vs NFC West rival
• Week 2: Defense saves the day against Falcons
• Week 1: A surprising start to Seattle’s Super Bowl season
• 2005 Seahawks Rewind introduction

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