Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind: The 12s come alive against the Giants
Nov 24, 2021, 12:17 PM
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants attempts to get around the block of tackle Walter Jones of the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Qwest Field on Nov. 27, 2005. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
(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.
The Seahawks were flying high entering Week 12, their six-game winning streak had propelled them to the top of the league standings. But every team needs some luck and the Seahawks got some against one of the hottest young quarterbacks in the league on the day that will be remembered for the 12th man.
In just his second season, Eli Manning was turning around the New York Giants and showing the form that would net him two Super Bowl MVP awards. The Giants were 7-3 when they invaded Qwest Field and Manning lived up to the hype. By the time the day was over, Manning had gone 29-54 for 344 yards and two touchdowns. But that was a small part of the story.
Reliable kicker Jay Feely had hit 23 of 25 before this game, but he missed three, including two in overtime. Joe Jurevicius had eight catches for 137 yards and a score as the Giants put nine men near the line to stop Shaun Alexander, which slowed down Seattle’s offense. But that wasn’t the story either.
The Giants were whistled for 16 penalties and incredibly, 11 of them were for false starts caused by the Qwest Field crowd, to be known as the 12s from this point forward.
On a day when their offense was struggling, the Seahawks used the missed field goals and the noise of the 12s to steal away with a 24-21 overtime win, their seventh straight. Giants left guard David Diehl said after the game simply, “it was the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard.”
The Seahawks would have to leave the home crowd behind and head to the hostile environment of Philadelphia for a Monday tilt with the Eagles next.
Groz’s 2005 Seahawks Rewind
• Week 11: Reaching new heights by surviving 49ers
• Week 10: Surging Seattle leaves Rams in dust
• 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
