Super Bowl 2015: Seahawks 5 Turning Points in 2014
Every NFL team has its ups and downs. That’s what makes for any season.
The Seattle Seahawks are headed back to the Super Bowl for the second straight season. But almost halfway through 2014, Pete Carroll’s team looked anything like a defending champion.
So how did the ‘Hawks become the first team in 10 years to go back to the Super Bowl?
We present the five turning points of the Seahawks’ season—in chronological order.
1. Seahawks 36, Packers 16 (Week 1)
What we saw would be eventually what we got. The Packers were no match for the defending Super Bowl champions as Pete Carroll’s club pounded Aaron Rodgers and company into submission. Marshawn Lynch would rush for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Seahawks would roll up out-gain their guests, 398-255, in total yards. There would be a sequel that would be better than the original (see The Godfather, Part II).
2. Cowboys 30, Seahawks 23 (Week 6)
It looked like it would be business as usual at home for the Seahawks, who jumped out to a 10-0 lead over Jason Garrett’s improved club. But the Cowboys never wavered from their game plan, overcame a few turnovers and eventually wore down Seattle’s celebrated defensive unit. A week later, Carroll’s suddenly-struggling team lost at St. Louis to fall to 3-3, but this setback to Dallas opened some eyes at the time.
3. Seahawks 24, Eagles 14 (Week 14)
The Seahawks and Eagles had extra time to prepare for this contest as both clubs won games on Turkey Day. Carroll’s club was coming off consecutive 19-3 victories over the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers but now head to try and slow down Chip Kelly’s offense, a unit that rolled the Cowboys defense at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. The Seahawks ran 85 plays to Philadelphia’s 45 and outgained the host Birds by a whopping 301 yards (440-139).
4. Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6 (Week 16)
Winners of four straight games, the defending Super Bowl champions had finally drawn within one game of the first-place Cardinals and a victory at Glendale would complete a sweep of Bruce Arians’ team. The Seahawks rolled up an amazing 596 yards of total offense in regulation and closed in a second-straight NFC West title. Running back Marshawn Lynch was at his “Beastmode” best as his team ran for 267 yards by evening’s end.
5. Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (OT) (NFC Championship Game)
The defending Super Bowl champions became the first team in 32 years (1982 Jets) to win a playoff game with five turnovers. Pete Carroll’s team trailed 16-0 at halftime and managed a mere 59 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes. But the Seahawks never waved from their game plan and by the end of the contest rolled up 397 total yards and also outrushed Green Bay in terms of attempts (35-30). Quarterback Russell Wilson overcame four interceptions by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse in overtime.