SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: Surprising start to Super Bowl season

Sep 9, 2021, 10:53 AM

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.

Though the 2005 season had great expectations, the Seahawks were not favored in the season opener.

710 ESPN Seattle’s ‘The Matt Hasselbeck Show’ airs Wednesday

The Hawks had to travel to Jacksonville to meet Jack Del Rio’s Jaguars, who were coming off a 9-7 season and on their way to a 12-4 2005. The day was hot and humid as there had been some concern about a hurricane before the game.

The Seahawks for some reason hit the ground stumbling, and they simply couldn’t hold on to the football this day. They were minus-five in the turnover battle so the fact that they lost was of no surprise to anyone. Turnovers were not normally a problem for this team, which made the day that much more frustrating.

Afterwards, the Seahawks tried to focus on some bright spots. The defense played well for the most part, though Jimmy Smith, a big, rangy Jacksonville receiver, gave them trouble. Rookie Lofa Tatupu had played well starting at middle linebacker, and Seattle held the Jags to six points on three drives that started in Seahawks territory after turnovers.

Despite the turnovers, Seattle was still in it behind by less then a touchdown with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter before losing by a final margin of 26-14.

Watch SportsCenter highlights from this game here

The running game got off to a less-than-stellar start besides a 36-yard run by Shaun Alexander, who had 14 carries for 73 yards. Seattle as a team had 97 yards while Jacksonville ran for 119 yards.

It felt like a game you could put in the rearview. After all, Matt Hasselbeck’s teams didn’t have five turnovers. But it was what it was, a double-digit loss in the season opener, and it wasn’t getting any easier in the home opener the following week as the defending NFC South champs from Atlanta were coming in. That meant facing quarterback Michael Vick, who at 25 was coming off an All-Pro season and a Week 1 win over Philly.

It was up to Seattle to play well or be staring at an 0-2 start in this already pressure-packed season.

Follow Dave “The Groz” Grosby on Twitter.

Related: Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind introduction

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Justin Outten Denver Broncos...

Brent Stecker

Report: Seahawks hiring ex-NFL OC who worked with Kubiak

The Seattle Seahawks are hiring former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten to work under new OC Klint Kubiak, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

2 hours ago

Potential Seattle Seahawks target Taysom Hill...

Stacy Rost

Rost: Could versatile Saints player be a fit for the Seahawks?

Stacy Rost ponders if the Seattle Seahawks would interested in a player New Orleans could part ways with due to salary cap issues.

18 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Kenny McIntosh 2025 Rams...

Cameron Van Til

A returning Seahawks assistant coach Huard is excited about

Brock Huard explains why he's particularly excited about the apparent return of a certain Seattle Seahawks offensive position coach.

18 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks North Dakota State Grey Zabel 2022...

Cameron Van Til

Daniel Jeremiah: How Seahawks should address their O-line

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah gives his take on how the Seattle Seahawks should approach their interior offensive line needs this offseason.

23 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett...

Cameron Van Til

What Seahawks coach Macdonald said about Tyler Lockett’s future

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who could be a cap casualty this offseason.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith pass Buffalo Bills 2024...

Cameron Van Til

Why Geno Smith was a ‘huge draw’ for Seahawks OC Kubiak

New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said the opportunity to work with veteran QB Geno Smith was a "huge draw" to the job.

2 days ago

Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: Surprising start to Super Bowl season