SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Groz’s ’05 Seahawks Rewind: Seattle solves its post-bye woes thanks to Alexander

Nov 3, 2021, 3:36 PM

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander...

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander carries the ball in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals on November 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 33-19. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

(Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

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

One thing that had vexed Mike Holmgren during his time with the Seahawks was a maddening inability to win after a bye week. But with a hard-fought win over Dallas in the rearview, Holmgren tried something new: He gave the Seahawks the full bye week off and presto, the Seahawks emerged victorious in Week 9.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that the opponent was the Arizona Cardinals, a team they’d handled earlier, or that Shaun Alexander was in perfect form. His 23-carry, 173- yard day included two touchdown runs, one of which was an 88 yarder.

Matt Hasselbeck had a turnover-free performance as the Seahawks began to turn some heads with their fourth win a row, tying them at 6-2 atop the NFC standings. The Seahawks had overcome a 2-2 start and were beginning to find out how good they could be. Alexander in particular was having a season to remember and both coaches Holmgren and Denny Green suggested he was the best back in the game after this one.

This Arizona game was the first of three straight against division foes. Put them away and you could start thinking about not just breaking the playoff drought, which had stretched to 20 years without a victory, but things like homefield advantage if you were fans, for the first time in a long time.

For the team, it was the first of three straight in the division with the Rams up next.

Follow “The Groz” on Twitter.

Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind

Week 7: An unthinkable comeback vs Dallas
• Week 6: Offense finds its strength — running left
• Week 5: Breakthrough vs Rams starts Super Bowl run
• Week 4: A comeback falls short as season reaches crossroads
• 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

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks...

Brandon Gustafson

Seattle Seahawks Win: Carroll on what’s good, what still needs work

There's plenty to like about the Seattle Seahawks' win over Carolina, but there are a few things they're looking to clean up moving forward.

4 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

The Associated Press

Recap: Second half sparks Seattle Seahawks past Carolina 37-27

Kenneth Walker III rushed for 97 yards and two second-half touchdowns, Jason Myers kicked five field goals, and the Seattle Seahawks pulled away in the second half for a 37-27 win over the Carolina Panthers.

5 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Kenneth Walker III...

SeattleSports.com Staff

Seattle Seahawks Instant Reaction: Walker shines in Week 3 win

The voices of Seattle Sports share their instant reactions to the Seattle Seahawks' Week 3 win, including Stacy Rost on Kenneth Walker III's big role in it.

5 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Jarran Reed...

Brent Stecker

The Big Plays: Seahawks pull away late to beat Panthers 37-27

The Seattle Seahawks picked up their second straight win, pulling away for a 37-27 win over Carolina. Watch all the big plays here.

6 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Quandre Diggs...

Brandon Gustafson

Seahawks Inactives: Metcalf and Diggs active; Woolen, Haynes out

The Seattle Seahawks are without multiple key players on both sides of the ball when they host the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

11 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks...

Brandon Gustafson

Bumpus: How Seahawks’ defense matches up with Panthers

Michael Bumpus takes a closer look at how the Seattle Seahawks' defense matches up with the Carolina Panthers' offense in Week 3.

1 day ago

Groz’s ’05 Seahawks Rewind: Seattle solves its post-bye woes thanks to Alexander