SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

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

Nov 3, 2021, 3:36 PM

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 Michigan Kenneth Grant...

Zac Hereth

Seahawks Draft: Why insider projects surprising first-round pick

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah on why he has Michigan DT Kenneth Grant has going to the Seattle Seahawks in the first round.

22 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks international games...

Zac Hereth

Seahawks’ chances of playing overseas in 2025 have doubled

A second road opponent of the Seattle Seahawks is set to host an international game next season.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith signals line of scrimmage San Francisco 49ers 2024...

Stacy Rost

When could we see a Seahawks extension with Geno Smith?

Stacy Rost details insight from NFL insiders Trevor Sikkema and Joel Corry that dive into when Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith's contract situation.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks New York Jets Devon Witherspoon Julian Love Leonard Williams...

Cameron Van Til

Brock Huard makes prediction for Seahawks’ defense in 2025

Brock Huard has high hopes for what the Seattle Seahawks' defense could accomplish in Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb...

The Associated Press

Ryan Grubb’s reunion with Kalen DeBoer is now official

Ryan Grubb is reuniting with Kalen DeBoer as Alabama’s OC after they worked together to get the UW Huskies to a College Football Playoff championship game.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks John Schneider Show GM...

SeattleSports.com Staff

Seattle Sports’ John Schneider Show with Seahawks GM returns

The John Schneider Show returns with the longtime Seattle Seahawks GM returns to the Seattle Sports airwaves on Feb. 13.

2 days ago

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