How did Pete Carroll’s offense suddenly morph into a death machine? We don’t know, but we do know that a 7-9 team has ousted the defending Super Bowl champions.
Seahawks 41, Saints 36, Final Score: Matt Hasselbeck, Marshawn Lynch, And ‘12th Man’ Spark Shocking Upset Of Super Bowl Champs
No 8-8 NFL team has ever won a playoff game, but now, 7-9 teams have a perfect 1-0 postseason record. The Seattle Seahawks, considered not only to be massive underdogs, but undeserving of a playoff spot, found a way to oust the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
Matt Hasselbeck, all of 35 years old, reverting back to top form on Saturday in Qwest Field. The quarterback recovered from an early interception to toss four touchdown passes and throw for 272 yards against a Saints offense that struggled to slow him down.
Read Article >2011 NFL Playoffs, Seahawks Vs. Saints: Marshawn Lynch Makes Run Of The Year, Seattle May Have Clinched It
When the Seahawks needed him most, Marshawn Lynch may have delivered the most electrifying run of the NFL season. Lynch’s 67-yard gallop made a mockery of the Saints’ defense, and now the Seahawks lead, 41-30.
(UPDATE: We have video of Marshawn Lynch’s run. Watch it here.)
Read Article >NFL Playoffs, Seahawks Vs. Saints: Julius Jones Pounds Into End Zone; Seattle Still Leads, 34-27
In the fourth quarter of Saturday’s playoff game, the Seattle Seahawks maintain a surprising lead. The New Orleans Saints, however, have chipped into the lead to make it a one-score game.
In the third quarter, Saints coach Sean Payton took a gamble by trying to convert a 4th-and-1 at their own 37. The Seahawks stopped them, but thanks to a couple of incomplete passes by Matt Hasselbeck and a delay of game call, the Seahawks couldn’t get within field goal range.
With Seattle unable to capitalize, the Saints started at their own 13. After quarterback Drew Brees slowly but steadily moved down the field with a series of short throws, the Saints benefited from an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that put them at Seattle’s 14. Julius Jones then scored his second rushing touchdown of the day.
The Seahawks, who for the better part of two quarters seemed completely in control of the game, now have reason for worry. Matt Hasselbeck has suddenly thrown five straight incompletions, and early in the fourth quarter, the Saints have the ball.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for further updates as the game progresses. And for more on these teams, be sure to check in with SB Nation’s Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, and our Seahawks blog, Field Gulls.
Read Article >Seahawks Vs. Saints: Matt Hasselbeck Adds To Lead With Touchdown Toss To Mike Williams
At Qwest Field on Saturday, Matt Hasselbeck has been every bit as great as his Seahawks needed him to be. Upon receiving possession to open the second half, the 35-year-old quarterback threw another beautiful rocket for yet another touchdown. The Seahawks now lead the Saints in the third quarter, 31-20.
Hasselbeck found Vilma, Harper, and Shanie for respectable gains, and then threw a 38-yard touchdown strike to Mike Williams. It was Williams’ fifth reception of the day, and Hasselbeck’s fourth touchdown pass.
Read Article >NFL Playoff Odds: Saints, Seahawks Not Expected To Be Close
The New Orleans Saints are favored by 10 to 11 points over the Seattle Seahawks this weekend depending on where you look and what’s so surprising about that is the game will be played in Seattle. That means the Saints are huge road favorites.
How huge?
Read Article >Matt Hasselbeck Will Start For Seahawks Vs. Saints Game
On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks announced that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will make the start for Saturday’s playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Hasselbeck has been nursing a hip injury, which kept him off the field during Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Rams.
Over the past week, head coach Pete Carroll had evaded the question of who he would start at quarterback:
Read Article >2011 NFL Playoffs, Saints Vs. Seahawks: Drew Brees, New Orleans Are Heavy Favorites
The Saints finished the season 11-5 and they’re well tested. They sport the 11th ranked offense and seventh ranked defense while the Seahawks are the 23rd ranked offense and 25th ranked defense. The stats clearly favor the Saints in this game.
The Saints already beat the Seahawks once this season, 34-19, on November 21. Both teams had a big offensive day throwing for over 350 yards but it was the Saints that came out on top.
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