Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: A statement shutout of an NFC power

Dec 1, 2021, 12:10 PM

Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant makes a play on Eagles WR Greg Lewis on Dec. 5, 2005. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Seattle Sports Host Emeritus

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 2005 Seahawks season started, a game in late November stood out on the calendar, a Monday night affair pitting the Seahawks against the team that had dominated the NFC the previous five seasons.

The Philadelphia Eagles had been a playoff team each of those five years, making it to the NFC championship game the last four, and the previous year had won 13 games and reached the Super Bowl.

But the year hadn’t turned out that great in Philly. The implosion of Terrell Owens had the Eagles wobbling and they took a 5-6 record into the matchup with Seattle, still clinging to some playoff hopes while looking to turn their season around under the bright lights of Monday night.

As for coach Mike Holmgren’s team, the Seahawks had won seven straight but hadn’t been very sharp defensively. This changed in a big way as the Seahawks put the game against the Eagles away at the half, forcing six turnovers on their way to an insurmountable 35-0 lead. They then refused to allow even a garbage-time score in a 42-0 win.

Watch highlights from this game | Box score

The only reason why fans stayed til halftime was to see Reggie White’s iconic No. 92 retired. Seattle dominated in all facets, improving to 10-2 on the season. Even the most cynical Seahawks observer had to concede there was something very special going on.

The Colts, meanwhile, had put together a 12-0 start, and the Seahawks would see them in a few weeks in what was thought to be a Super Bowl preview. But first Seattle had the 49ers and Titans to deal with.