Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: Surging Seattle leaves Rams in dust
Nov 10, 2021, 12:45 PM | Updated: 12:46 pm
Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander breaks from the grasp of Rams safety Mike Furrey on Nov. 13, 2005. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
With quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and head coach Mike Holmgren inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor in back-to-back weeks this year, we look back at their finest hour, the 2005 Super Bowl season.
When the Seahawks moved to the NFC West, it was a division dominated by the St. Louis Rams. But the Seahawks changed that in 2005.
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After coming up with the biggest win of the season in St. Louis in Week 5, the two teams were going in different directions by the time of their Week 10 matchup. Rams coach Mike Martz had stepped down for the season with heart issues, and former longtime Seahawks assistant coach Joe Vitt replaced him on the sidelines. The Seahawks had extended their winning streak to four since the first meeting. In the meantime, the Rams had stumbled as this game represented likely their last chance to be a factor in the race.
The Rams started tough and took a 3-0 lead into the second quarter. But when they attempted a fake field goal instead of kicking to increase the lead, it failed. From that point until late in the third quarter, the Seahawks dominated, out-gaining the Rams 281-46 and opening up a 24-6 lead before coasting home to the 31-17 win.
Watch highlights from this game | Box score
It was another huge day for running back Shaun Alexander, who had a season-high 33 carries for 165 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 15 scores through nine games. The Seahawks won their fifth straight, improving to 7-2, and they left the Rams in the dust with the rest of the NFC West on their way to another division battle in Week 11 against the Niners in San Francisco.
Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind
• Week 9: Alexander helps Seattle solve post-bye woes
• 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
