"The tears of a grieving city"??
Disappointment I can understand for sure, but it just seems to me that "grieving" is a word to be applied to situations other than a sports competition.
(Full disclosure: I'm a lit major and know almost nothing about any sports.)
Disappointment I can understand for sure, but it just seems to me that "grieving" is a word to be applied to situations other than a sports competition.
(Full disclosure: I'm a lit major and know almost nothing about any sports.)
3
I decided to sacrifice watching the overtime, in favor of walking my dog. My rationale was that I didn't want to do anything to jinx the Seahawks at a historic moment.
About 5 minutes into the walk, I began to hear firecrackers, cherry bombs, skyrockets going off.
And amidst all the noise was a man with a Seahawks jersey walking ever faster to get back home, smiling all the way.
About 5 minutes into the walk, I began to hear firecrackers, cherry bombs, skyrockets going off.
And amidst all the noise was a man with a Seahawks jersey walking ever faster to get back home, smiling all the way.
6
They are calling the Packers' performance the "Discount Double Choke".
6
I can't remember ever having seen seen such a collapse in a pro football game (although I'm sure there have been plenty of others). The Packers had this game won! And then they lose it in less than 2 minutes?
My vote for key play is: 3rd Quarter, 6:19 remaining in the Q, GB leading 16-0, Seattle ball 3rd and 19 on the GB 48 and Green Bay only rushes 3, one of whom as Troy Aikman observed was to 'spy' Wilson to make sure he did not take off and run, thus only really rushing 2 -Wilson naturally had like forever to find a receiver, which he did -four plays later on 4th and 10 the fake field goal play for the TD and the handwriting was on the wall...
A very exciting win for Seattle, no question . . . but New England won't make all the mistakes that Green Bay did. The Patriots are on a mission right now, and it will take much more than luck (or Luck) to beat them.
4
Many are commenting that the missed recovery of the on side kick will be remembered forever, like the Pisarcik fumble in 1978 or the Earnest Byner fumble in 1987.
I think what will be equally remembered about this game is the failure of Aaron "Relax" Rodgers to get into the end zone from the one yard line twice in the first period, settling for field goals instead.
I think what will be equally remembered about this game is the failure of Aaron "Relax" Rodgers to get into the end zone from the one yard line twice in the first period, settling for field goals instead.
My hat is off to Paul Allen, whose vision and courage allowed him to take the long view required to build a champion team and whose trust in his coaching staff enabled him to let them do their jobs. Seattle is lucky to claim him as our own.
5
Would that some of the other owners had the foresight to "trust their coaching staffs and enable them to do their jobs." I'm looking at you Jed York (SF Niners) and Mark Davis (Oakland Raiders)!
1
I live in Washington state. When I am not rooting for my hometown team, SF, I become a Seahawks fan. Great result but not a great game. That's not my topic though. I don't like the overtime rules. I still believe each team should get a chance to score. The flip of a coin is left to chance and football is anything but that. I'm reminded of the two brothers who went to competing colleges. After the annual rivalry ended in a tie, one remarked, "looks like neither of us came out ahead today." "Not really, the other replied, "remember you had to tie us."
Yes it was hard to watch! Yes as a Seahawks fan, we have seen comebacks,
Never forget Uncle Peteand his staff have the magic, throw in beast mode and yes you have to believe!
We are still screaming SEAHAWKS!
The Chief
Never forget Uncle Peteand his staff have the magic, throw in beast mode and yes you have to believe!
We are still screaming SEAHAWKS!
The Chief
The game wasn't lost in the 4th quarter, it was lost in the first quarter when Green Bay, after gifts of Seattle turnovers, went for field goals on the 1 yard line rather than going for the TD. On some teams, Mike McCarthy would be fired for this kind of decision making, and rightfully so, you don't go all conservative playing on the road against a team like Seattle. In the first half, the defense played aggressively, they got into Wilson's face, but in the second half, especially the 4th quarter, you could see Mike McCarthy going into what my son and I call "Herm" mode (after the Jets coach Herm Edwards, who said you don't play not to lose, but played exactly like that). Rushing 2 against Seattle? Playing zone defense? You could hear the gears in his head, I am 16 points ahead, all I need to do is play prevent defense and not make mistakes on offense and I'll win......and the rest is history.
People yell about Belichick running up scores, not being a sportsmen, and while as a Jets fan I am no friend of New England, do you think Belichick faced with what McCarthy was would kick all those field goals? Do you think he would let up, assuming the game was won? While I thought it was stupid to have brady in there in the 4th quarter, it also showed he knows the game, and knows you can lose any lead. Put it this way, if you get 4 turnovers and don't win the game, it was coached poorly.
People yell about Belichick running up scores, not being a sportsmen, and while as a Jets fan I am no friend of New England, do you think Belichick faced with what McCarthy was would kick all those field goals? Do you think he would let up, assuming the game was won? While I thought it was stupid to have brady in there in the 4th quarter, it also showed he knows the game, and knows you can lose any lead. Put it this way, if you get 4 turnovers and don't win the game, it was coached poorly.
1
Regarding Bostick's bungle...
It never ceases to amaze (and frustrate) me how often these big men, with their BIG HANDS (and very very big paychecks), can't catch the football in kickoffs and easy passes.
These guys with the putty hands should be instantly demoted to the Pee-Wee League, and not allowed to return to the NFL unless, after countless reps, they demonstrate competence in this most basic of football skills.
It never ceases to amaze (and frustrate) me how often these big men, with their BIG HANDS (and very very big paychecks), can't catch the football in kickoffs and easy passes.
These guys with the putty hands should be instantly demoted to the Pee-Wee League, and not allowed to return to the NFL unless, after countless reps, they demonstrate competence in this most basic of football skills.
1
I say this a someone who'll be rooting for Seattle: Seahawks, now that you've celebrated, spend the next two weeks figuring out how you'll beat New England if you play as poorly as you did yesterday. Figure out how to win if you turn the ball over five times.
3
As the late, great Bob Lemon used to say: "...some games just aren't in the cards." No matter what you do, no matter what you try, you're just not going to come away with a win. Ain't happening.
Aaron Rogers was slightly off on most passes. Green Bay's defense was great for the first 50 minutes, as was their special teams but a few mental lapses did 'em in. I'm a Giants' fan and I can certainly empathize. Don't laugh Eagles fans, we still have 4 rings!
Aaron Rogers was slightly off on most passes. Green Bay's defense was great for the first 50 minutes, as was their special teams but a few mental lapses did 'em in. I'm a Giants' fan and I can certainly empathize. Don't laugh Eagles fans, we still have 4 rings!
Your article barely mentions the muffed onside kick which was the most important play of the game by far. Green Bay recovers, game over. Russell Wilson stunk up the joint for 55 minutes and did not deserve to win.
1
Have you ever watched a Seahawks game? This is exactly how they win. They have had MANY games where they have not been particularly great in the first half, only to come roaring back in the second half and win the game going away. All that talk about "we know we can do it" is NOT just talk - they really believe it and will find a way to get it done. And who's to say who "deserves" the win - after all, GB had more than ample opportunities to push the score higher and couldn't do it. Go Seahawks!!!
6
This game sure exemplified one of the best Yogi-isms ever, about it not being over till it is. I was as stunned as Greenbay, and almost feel sorry for them, certainly for discount-doublecheck Rodgers. It didn't seem fair that the team that trailed all game pounced in OT. But, that's football: it's an endurance contest, combined with plenty of opportunities and luck.
But, it's a 60 minute game (not including OT), and you don't get medals for trying (Parcells). A lead is only a lead until it's a win, and that comes when the play clock reads zero.
Seattle sure appreciated that fact, but I have my doubts about the Packers, who seemed to get sloppier as the game went on.
It should be the reverse, particularly if you remember the 60-minute game rule that it aint' over till it's over.
But, it's a 60 minute game (not including OT), and you don't get medals for trying (Parcells). A lead is only a lead until it's a win, and that comes when the play clock reads zero.
Seattle sure appreciated that fact, but I have my doubts about the Packers, who seemed to get sloppier as the game went on.
It should be the reverse, particularly if you remember the 60-minute game rule that it aint' over till it's over.
2
Congrats, Hawks!! But really... were those prayers we witnessed post-game? What, did God prefer to have Wilson make oodles of bonus dollars and not Rodgers? Did God disapprove of the Packers last night for some reason? I guess God is big into football these days.
6
Wasn't rooting for either team. But the Packers lost the game more than the Seahawks won it.
1
Almost like an unsung hero, Lynch is the most valuable player of that game. He kept pounding when the offense was floundering, played one of the best running back games ever, if not the best. I remember seeing Jim Brown play, Lynch is probably as good as he was - no way to really compare the two, Lynch is simply one of the best ever. And he refuses to be a clown or hot dog - how refreshing! He will pay fines before he will lower himself to being a babbling idiot along with the inane sports commentators.
8
"refuses to be a clown" - as a huge Seahawks fan, I disagree. I certainly love the way he plays the game, but . . . .
1
My personal dictum is that a team scoring two field goals taken deep in the red zone in the first half ALWAYS ends up losing the game. Putting aside the bad luck of successful low -percentage fake field goal attempts, and on-side kick recoveries, the "prevent"-style, 3 man pass rush on third down, after Wilson had been harassed and beaten into 4 picks was truly inexcusable. Poor coaching!
With a bit over 5 minutes left in the game, the camera showed the Packers sideline. Clay Matthews and another defensive player were relaxed, laughing, starting to celebrate. Sort of the way the Patriots looked in the last minute of their game, but then, the Patriots were ahead by 38 points. The Packers were only ahead by 12, with plenty of time left on the clock. I think they lost because they (or at least some of them) had already checked out and couldn't ramp it back up when the Seahawks put on their final push.
3
A winner has many fathers, whereas a loser is an orphan....especially in competitive sports...
Seattle were orphans for 56 minutes, but were quickly adapted in the final minutes of this game. On the other side, Green Bay seemed to be the 'chosen child' for 56 minutes, but in the end they were unceremoniously kicked onto the streets...alone.
I respect the coach of Green Bay for his classy way of giving an interview at the end of the game after this terrible chain of events for his team. He was not bitter and he gave credit to the efforts of the other team. Sometimes, winners are made when they show dignity in the hour of defeat.
Seattle were orphans for 56 minutes, but were quickly adapted in the final minutes of this game. On the other side, Green Bay seemed to be the 'chosen child' for 56 minutes, but in the end they were unceremoniously kicked onto the streets...alone.
I respect the coach of Green Bay for his classy way of giving an interview at the end of the game after this terrible chain of events for his team. He was not bitter and he gave credit to the efforts of the other team. Sometimes, winners are made when they show dignity in the hour of defeat.
2
Very entertaining game. Green Bay did not play their game from the git go, settling for field goals when they normally would have gone for touch downs. Over and over the TV commentators were surprised at what they didn't do.
They didn't want it.
They didn't want it.
With 8:02 left in the 3rd quarter at the end of a Wilson sack there was a roughing penalty on a Seattle lineman. But the penalty was declined. How can that happen? Shouldn't it have been tacked onto the sack? This all led to Seattle's 1st TD.
1
Green Bay did not dominate the second half. Until the onside kick, the Hawks had won the second half 14 to 3. In other words, saying that Green Bay dominated the first 55 minutes is nonsense. It is true that Green Bay should have won the game--but they didn't. My condolences to Packer fans, but you're quarterback could not run and that was the reason your team lost. The decision to kick field goals was something most coaches would have done. For the most part, the post game critics of the coach don't know what they're talking about.
Most NFL games are lost, not won. An inordinate percentage of the points are scored in the final 5 minutes of each half, while it is a taboo for the teams or the press to talk about games being lost by conservative play and prevent defenses.
That was a part of it again for sure, and the Pack tried not to lose instead of trying to close the game. But what was different was the tenacity of Seattle and their ability to make their biggest plays at the biggest time. They received every break imaginable, including the coin toss---but made perfect calls and perfect execution afterward. I do not recall seeing a team look so bad for 57 minutes, yet win the game.
That was a part of it again for sure, and the Pack tried not to lose instead of trying to close the game. But what was different was the tenacity of Seattle and their ability to make their biggest plays at the biggest time. They received every break imaginable, including the coin toss---but made perfect calls and perfect execution afterward. I do not recall seeing a team look so bad for 57 minutes, yet win the game.
Pats will win if Hawks play like they did yesterday.. No way a Belichek squad loses to a team committing 5 turnovers!!
2
What a game! And so much for "New York Bozo." And the look on the Packers' faces as the tables turned? Absolutely priceless.
2
while hawk fans are delerious over this miracle comeback, as football fans a large part of the hawk nation do feel for gb fans. u couldnt have scripted a larger miracle. on the other hand, why do alot of gb fans like u disrespect and not accept the fact that the hawks were not given any help by gb or the refs in this win and in fact, kicked, bit, fought, and believed they could stiill win no matter what the odds, time or situation?. bad calls by refs and gb turnovers did not lose this game for you. the trash talkin and celebrating before the game was over, mathews numerous and disgusting headhunting cheapshots on wilson, and lack of execution on both sides of the ball for gb were large reasons why. but how bout u and a large part of the packer fan base quit makin excuses and point to there chokin away the game and man up and admit to yerselves and others that the seattle seahawks d amazingly held gb to 22 points when gb should have had at least another 20 points considering their shockingly easy start position most in hawk territory. and even more insulting is yer lack of recognizing wilson lynch and the off. went 50 min. not making any plays to flawlessly executing some amazing scoring drives wo good field position. thats how most should and do see this game. for the minority of gb fans that say we dont deserve credit, the win or to be happy we are in the sb, maybe u and them somehow forgot that to actually earn the title town rep, u have to get to and win the title game
1
I am sick to my stomach. Just in shock. One problem the Packers had all year was stopping the run, and for all the mistakes on both sides, that hasn't changed.
This game illustrates that stats and analysis are truly meaningless. At the end of the day it's the players, with all their glories and frailties, that make the magic happen. As a Hawks fan at the game, I can tell you we went to the lowest lows and up to the highest highs today, fortunately finishing on the summit in the end. Go Hawks!
Just like the Dawn Wall (I'm a climber too), the message for our kids about believing in your teammates and not giving up when everything seems against you are lessons worth sharing. And emulating.
Just like the Dawn Wall (I'm a climber too), the message for our kids about believing in your teammates and not giving up when everything seems against you are lessons worth sharing. And emulating.
3
With 5 min left I turned it off and went to do something else. Dang!
For this to happen in a Championship game…has to be one of the greatest games in NFL history.
For this to happen in a Championship game…has to be one of the greatest games in NFL history.
2
The word is that they are serving Pattie-Meltdowns with extra melted cheese in all the eateries in Green Bay tomorrow.
I'm surprised, reading these comments, to see so many people describe this game as an incredible comeback. It is true, the Seahawks overcame a deficit to get the win, but this was a strange, ugly game, where both teams played like mud at different points in the game. My feeling was both were pretty worn out from a long season and wouldn't mind, secretly, if they had to go home (and rest). Normally, after a hard loss, the losing team's head coach would say something like, "You can't turn the ball over 5 times and expect to win such a big game." Or he'd be quoted as mumbling something about, "playing a full 4 quarters, to make it to the Super Bowl." Both teams fell to the ground, but Seattle just happened to land on top.
1
I want to point out that the Seahawks' defense held the Packers' offense to just 22 points despite 5 turnovers and a bunch of three and outs by the 'hawks offense. I'm saying it's the best defense ever. I've watched all of the games since Wilson took over. He's had some rough patches, but this was the worst. You can see why we love him though. Even the atheists and agnostics love him because football was never this much fun before, here in the Northwest. But the criticism of Wilson that it wouldn't be the same without that defense is certainly valid.
3
By the skin of their teeth for one long heart-attack and by hook or by crook they pulled it off. Rapid fire heroics. I wasn't surprised at all to see how overwhelmed the players were once it was all over.
3
Gee, do you think Green Bay would like to replay those two early 4th downs where they settled for field goals?
1
No because then they would have had 0 points instead of 6.
Seattle better play significantly better against New England if they hope to repeat.
Then again, this matchup in Phoenix could easily be You Mad, Bro? II.
Then again, this matchup in Phoenix could easily be You Mad, Bro? II.
2
On an afternoon when the only thing that seemed to work were tricks, the Kid dug down, pulled himself and his brothers out of the ditch, and got to work.
Unforgettable!
We were saying with 5 minutes left how the team had fallen into "Old Seahawk" football; then Russell, Pete, et. al. wonderfully tore through that nightmare!
Unforgettable!
We were saying with 5 minutes left how the team had fallen into "Old Seahawk" football; then Russell, Pete, et. al. wonderfully tore through that nightmare!
Stopped watching the game at 16-7. Didn't know Seattle won 'til I saw this article. Wanted to see Seahawks do well, but they looked miserably outclassed in first half. SportsCenter shows the improbable confluence of events to get to a tie, then Wilson wakes up in overtime. If you saw this in a movie- not believable.
1
Well, at least all you Packer backers can now finally relax.
3
Incredible! The Seahawks demand believers. I couldn't believe how the game unfolded. Just awesome! Thank you, NYT for the article.
3
Here's an emotional GIF or Russel Wilson being interviewed after the game. Who said quarterbacks don't cry. This is great to show young athletes because it is OK for a man to show emotion. (Women athletes cry without being embarrassed by it.)
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/18/russell-wilson-seattle-seahawks-
postgame-interview
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/18/russell-wilson-seattle-seahawks-
postgame-interview
I've read all the comments here and all the commenters missed the point.....there are NO words to describe this game BUT it will still be talked about for a very long time. Even the after game pundits, paid to talk about the game, were speechless!
1
I caught a glimpse of the game at a Fred Meyer store here in Seattle were it was being broadcast on a big screen TV. It was the third quarter and the Hawks were trailing 16-0. I thought damn, the Seahawks are going to lose the title! Silly me.
One of the joys of the Seahawks' win today was the role undrafted and deep-in-the-draft players played. Wilson, Kearse, Gilliam, Luke Willson, and a handful of others had key contributions born of the love of their game and their faith, against the tide of probability and opinion, in their own abilities.
2
It looked grim. But the team pulled together an did what they needed to do. I think New England has a huge problem.
1
Still baffled why Morgan Burnett prematurely slid down after intercepting Wilson with 5 minutes left. Unconscionable.
Apparently about 5 minutes before the end of the 4th quarter, with GB ahead 19-7, some GB players were breaking out the winning t-shirts on the sideline. This is exactly where they lost it, because they had assumed that Seattle was not going to come back. They dropped their guard and their focus, and got whipped.
And the coaches did the same thing by playing not to lose in the 4th quarter.
And the coaches did the same thing by playing not to lose in the 4th quarter.
5
"Outlast"
The headline doesn't fit the game.
The headline doesn't fit the game.
> Their inability to cash in on their three red zone opportunities - all fg's - will haunt this team for a good, long while.
Yes, well, those four Russell Wilson interceptions could have haunted him and his team . . . but didn't. First quarter: GB out-gained Seattle 137-3 and out-scored them 13-0. Final three quarters: Seattle out-gained GB 394-169 and out-scored them 28-9. Wilson had an off game . . . before today he was 9-0 in the regular season and playoffs against QBs who have won at at least one Super Bowl. Now he's 10-0 including 3-0 against Rogers . . .
Yes, well, those four Russell Wilson interceptions could have haunted him and his team . . . but didn't. First quarter: GB out-gained Seattle 137-3 and out-scored them 13-0. Final three quarters: Seattle out-gained GB 394-169 and out-scored them 28-9. Wilson had an off game . . . before today he was 9-0 in the regular season and playoffs against QBs who have won at at least one Super Bowl. Now he's 10-0 including 3-0 against Rogers . . .
Horrible officiating, coaching and quarterback play. But what a finnish. I hate prevent defense. Go Seahawks.
1
Let me get this straight: if you win the coin toss in overtime play you have a real advantage? Why is there not an opportunity for the kick-off team to have an opportunity to possess the ball? This just does not seem fair to me.
1
"Wilson, in his third season, has played 10 times against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. In some of those, he has outplayed his counterpart. Not on Sunday, when he completed 14 of 29 passes for 209 yards, with four interceptions and a 44.3 passer rating..."
As bad as Russell played in the first 55 minutes of the game, he ended up with more yards and more TDs than Rodgers - the final TD sealing the game. Moreover, two of Wilson's picks were good throws that bounced out of his receivers' hands. Wilson came through when it matters and for that reason, I would say he outplayed Rodgers.
As bad as Russell played in the first 55 minutes of the game, he ended up with more yards and more TDs than Rodgers - the final TD sealing the game. Moreover, two of Wilson's picks were good throws that bounced out of his receivers' hands. Wilson came through when it matters and for that reason, I would say he outplayed Rodgers.
4
Field goals on the road are a recipe for disaster. This game is exhibit A. The Packers lack of aggression combined with the Seahawks aggression was the difference in the game. Football is a game for the bold and aggressive. One touchdown and an extra point is worth more than two FG's. The Packers have no one to blame but themselves
Seattle won because they held it together. Green Bay lost because they choked. All this mumbo jumbo about rules in overtime etc. is Green Bay fans trying to explain away the fact that their guys metaphorically dropped the ball before the goal line. The Seahawk fans would do the same if the shoe was on the other foot. Analysts will profoundly say the Packers outplayed the Seahawks for three and half quarters, and they will drop this statistic and that statistic. They will analyze what might have happened had Rogers been 100%. Great academic stuff. Maybe the Packers fans can use that as some comfort in the off season. These are the facts: The Seahawks and Packers played for the NFC title today, and the Seahawks won. Who cares who the "better" team was, or how many yards so and rushed or threw for. Athletes want to win, and losing is awful. No way around that.
My final thoughts of the night:
Congratulations to Green Bay on a truly fantastic season! I know this is a tough and bitter loss but you have an amazing organization with a storied history and a HOF caliber QB and you will win more championships. Thank you for giving us Seattle fans a great, albeit unbelievably stressful, game and for putting up with us for gloating a little bit. I hope our efforts to do it with some grace is read as a sign of our respect to you, as fans, and to your great team.
To New England: Congratulations on an stellar performance and win! Enjoy your celebrations but please drive carefully, as I understand the weather in the northeast is quite bad. I want rabid Patriots fans to chat with, not injured ones. Be safe and I look forward to what will surely be a remarkable and entertaining Super Bowl game.
To NYT's readers: as always, thank you for representing the best of the best of internet commenters. We all may disagree on any number of issues, but it's always kept classy here and I, for one, appreciate that. The internet is a very scary and whacked place. It's nice to be amongst adults.
Wishing you all a very good night!
Congratulations to Green Bay on a truly fantastic season! I know this is a tough and bitter loss but you have an amazing organization with a storied history and a HOF caliber QB and you will win more championships. Thank you for giving us Seattle fans a great, albeit unbelievably stressful, game and for putting up with us for gloating a little bit. I hope our efforts to do it with some grace is read as a sign of our respect to you, as fans, and to your great team.
To New England: Congratulations on an stellar performance and win! Enjoy your celebrations but please drive carefully, as I understand the weather in the northeast is quite bad. I want rabid Patriots fans to chat with, not injured ones. Be safe and I look forward to what will surely be a remarkable and entertaining Super Bowl game.
To NYT's readers: as always, thank you for representing the best of the best of internet commenters. We all may disagree on any number of issues, but it's always kept classy here and I, for one, appreciate that. The internet is a very scary and whacked place. It's nice to be amongst adults.
Wishing you all a very good night!
2
Unbelievable! This had to be the most incredible comeback in NFL history. The Seahawks were downright disastrous for much of the game. I was getting ready to swear off cheddar cheese for the rest of the year, then boom, boom, boom, and next thing I know, we are going to the Super Bowl. The Packers looked like they didn't know what hit them. I am still in shock. Luck came back to our side finally. Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, what redemption!
Even before the game I thought that the weather could be a factor. Rain is bad for the Seahawks. The last time the Seahawks had to play in the rain in Seattle(back in Oct.?), they had an error filled day with multiple turnovers and ended up losing. It sounds weird, a team from Seattle that doesn't know how to play in the rain, but they don't. Russell Wilson has trouble passing whenever it rains.
The Seahawks went to hell and back with this game. On a day when everything that could go wrong, did, and they still found a way to win. Credit to the defense for holding Green Bay to only 19 points. I pray Richard Sherman will be okay and fully ready to play in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are just incredible today, they hit bottom and came roaring back, now there's no stopping them, they are going to win the Super Bowl (as long as it doesn't rain in AZ, knock on wood)!
Even before the game I thought that the weather could be a factor. Rain is bad for the Seahawks. The last time the Seahawks had to play in the rain in Seattle(back in Oct.?), they had an error filled day with multiple turnovers and ended up losing. It sounds weird, a team from Seattle that doesn't know how to play in the rain, but they don't. Russell Wilson has trouble passing whenever it rains.
The Seahawks went to hell and back with this game. On a day when everything that could go wrong, did, and they still found a way to win. Credit to the defense for holding Green Bay to only 19 points. I pray Richard Sherman will be okay and fully ready to play in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are just incredible today, they hit bottom and came roaring back, now there's no stopping them, they are going to win the Super Bowl (as long as it doesn't rain in AZ, knock on wood)!
1
Professional football mania has gotten so out-of-hand it's simply ridiculous. It's one of the biggest of the BIG businesses, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to blind support of the top1% financial elite who control ownership, media and gambling around it. The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL team that actually deserves the name of their city because the people of the city own the team and profits help support Green Bay and Wisconsin's infrastructure. The other owners "allowed" the cities to pay for their stadiums in return for having the teams in their town but the profits, including from all the team clothing and other gear, go directly into the owner's pockets except for a few retail tax dollars. So the reality is that Paul Allen's boys (Seahawks) beat the Green Bay Packers and Robert Kraft's boys ( Patriots) beat Jim Irsay's boys (Colts). And the other real winners are Rupert Murdoch who owns ESPN to go along with fox so-called news and other media titans. It is most certainly not average taxpayers.
15
Murdoch doesn't own ESPN.
The new National Religion. Unhealthy obsession with millionaires running around for an hour each Sunday. And the media eats it up with all the free drama and copy to fill the local 'news'. A surrogate for our latent aggression?
2
I'm guessing after everybody reads this, the stadium in Phoenix will be empty.
1
Just left downtown Seattle......Still high as a kite. The on-side kick muffed by Bostick will rank with the Buckner muff off Mookie's bat. The Seahawks made every mistake in the book, but they made the crucial plays when they counted. Yogi would be proud...... Ain't over till .yada, yada, yada..........
30
The folks I watched the game with also cited Bucker.
Enjoy the ride, because after New England finishes with the Seahawks, your kite may crash.
1
If Packers fans are the decent people they claim to be (as a WI native I believe they generally are) Bostick won't have to deal with death threats the way Buckner did.
1
Wondering why Greenbay didn't test Sherman more after his injury…try to exploit him.
What a tough loss.
The ball going through the guy's hands on the on side kick will haunt Greenbay for some time.
But those last two passes for Seattle were as perfect as it gets.
For pure excitement and a love of the bizarre it was a dream.
What a tough loss.
The ball going through the guy's hands on the on side kick will haunt Greenbay for some time.
But those last two passes for Seattle were as perfect as it gets.
For pure excitement and a love of the bizarre it was a dream.
18
Love of the bizarre is well-put: the Packers were clearly the stronger team, and every time I've seen the Seahawks win its been due to a random moment in time when as luck would it the other team has let down their guard.
Let's not forget the GB defender who didn't attempt a play on the floater on Seattle's two point play. That may be more important than the botched on-side attempt. Bat the ball away and the Pack wins if they hit the subsequent FG.
Most will remember the massive fade at the end of the game by GB. What might be forgotten is GB settling for two FG's at the start for a 6-0 lead instead of 14-0. With those 8 extra points it never would have made it to OT.
15
you mean IF they would've score...right?
How about third and nineteen? Bend don't break. Absolutely no pass rush. Give Wilson all day on his worst day and he will find an open receiver. And, he sure did.
Green Bay played not to lose. Worst strategy in sports.
Green Bay played not to lose. Worst strategy in sports.
If GB had scored and converted only one TD, and missed a FG, in those first two drives, all else equal, no OT... fun game. Was that two points an Our Father pass?
The last big game this exciting was when Giants beat New England for the Super Bowl in 2007. Let's hope Seattle can do the same in 2 weeks.
Today was an epic game.
Today was an epic game.
16
I'd hate to bet against a team that can go from being totally out for the count with 2 minutes left to taking the lead and then having the composure to finish it off in overtime.
1
Green Bay didn't lose the game in the 4th quarter, they lost it in the first. On the road as a heavy underdog in a huge game, you always, always, always play to win. 4th and a foot and you're kicking a field goal? Ludicrous.
31
Especially since, if they then didn't get the TD, they could play for the safety. Coaching blunder it would seem.
Well, then and on the 2-point conversion. GB had it defensed perfectly, and then RW completed essentially a Hail Mary when the Packer DB couldn't decide where to play the pass that hung up in the air for what felt like 5 minutes: an awful moment at the end of an otherwise very well-defensed play.
And your profound NFL coaching experience is??? Just as I thought 0.
He took the sure 3 points and not the unsure 6 points, get it?
Let's see....want to compare your paycheck with Mike McCarthy's? I didn't think so.
He took the sure 3 points and not the unsure 6 points, get it?
Let's see....want to compare your paycheck with Mike McCarthy's? I didn't think so.
As a fan of neither team, I can't think of a bigger choke job in a championship game, And the incredible blunders by the Packers in the last 5 minutes, from kneeling down after the last Wilson interception, to failure to catch the onside kick that was right in the receiver's hands to, failing to knock down the two point conversion hail Mary pass.
19
@steve-
The onside kick was botched by an offensive lineman, not a receiver. The lineman made a mistake, he had hands people right behind him who could have caught the ball, but he instinctively went for the ball.
The onside kick was botched by an offensive lineman, not a receiver. The lineman made a mistake, he had hands people right behind him who could have caught the ball, but he instinctively went for the ball.
1
Looks like Seattle had better Luck than Indy did tonight!
9
The Packers team is clearly better than the Seattle bunch. ThePackers team won the game, and their coaches lost it. Case closed.
9
I would disagree. As Seattle as done all year they outscore their opponents in the 2nd half, today they overcame a horrible 1st half. That was total strength of character on display.
hey don, enjoy yer upcoming victory in the dons dilusional super bowl. my clearly inferior seattle bunch, will be playing in and hopefully winning their second sb in a row. yer non fact based opinon that gb was clearly better is laughable to the point of absurdity. people that understand football would look at who has the most wins over the last few years, who has won more head to head, playoff wins over the last few years, the strength of yer division and record against them, all pros, off- def. ranking and sb wins. of these, which areas are the packers superior? or do facts and stats not determine who is better in yer fantasy world. must not if u thought the gb players won and the coaches lost the game. really? is that even possible? ever think that gb was only in the game cuz of their coaches game plan? players didnt execute and get at least 14 more points off of least 5 or 6 drives that started in hawk teritory? what coach didnt catch an no pressure popup onside kick? did coaches allow a punter to throw a td to a linemen by not covering either? was the gb qb with the very avg. stats not rodgers? was it the off. and def. cord. that couldnt get a first down to run the clock out or gave up 10 or more huge plays to the hawks in the last min. of the game? seattle fans are the most rabid and knowledgeable fans on earth.
Were we watching the same game? Seattle's defense kept them in the game and limited the Packers to only one touchdown when they were in the red zone. Seattle's Special Teams were clearly superior and the Packers defense disappeared when Seattle's fast strike offense finally started to roll. So how are the Packers a better team and how is the loss the coaches' fault?
2
Never give up, never surrender! That's the Seahawks motto.
Go all the way Hawks!! Win that 2nd Super Bowl!
Go all the way Hawks!! Win that 2nd Super Bowl!
17
Have never witnessed a more embarrassing collapse by GB, ever. A veritable atrocity that a team could dominate so severely for 55 minutes and fold in the waning minutes. Simply unacceptable to be gifted with 5 TO's and come out the loser. Unacceptable. Too many possible points left on the field. Kudos to Rodgers and Crosby for giving them the chance to get into OT, but this never should have been an option....and I'm not quite sure the Hawks' fans have much to celebrate: aside from this improbable win, if they show up with the same lackluster performance in Phoenix, Brady and company will wipe the field with them.
25
Perhaps the worst NFC championship game ever played. Both teams demonstrated new levels of incompetence, particularly Green Bay losing a game they had handed to them repeatedly. To be defeated by a trick play and onside kick after a first half shutout shows how quickly cheese can get moldy.
22
You must be a lot of fun around the Christmas tree. Great games come in many forms, and this was one for the ages. And if you are looking for perfection, look no further than the last play of the game.
1
Or the most exciting?
1
I was rooting for Seattle all along and I am glad they won. If I were a Packer fan, I would demand that Coach McCarthy be fired for incompetence. With about 5 minutes to go and he put Rodgers to the stable by calling for runs up the middle to kill the clock?! No 1st downs on 2 possessions.
11
Fired for incompetence ? Who are you, Donald Trump ?
The guy was an onside kick away from coaching his team to their second Super Bowl in five years and you think he's incompetent ?
He played the percentages and lost. Far from incompetent.
The guy was an onside kick away from coaching his team to their second Super Bowl in five years and you think he's incompetent ?
He played the percentages and lost. Far from incompetent.
2
I agree with you. I believe that the "prevent offense" cost them the game. You see it all the time, primarily in college basketball. All it does is transfer the momentum to the other team.
Whew. Sickening.
5
The only thing more sickening than Green Bay's collapse was Marshawn Lynch acting like a pig.......but it is the NFL. My bad for watching.
1
My team played a terrible game for 57 minutes and gave us a game for the ages in the final three. Go Hawks!
64
The Packers defeated themselves. They had a meltdown at the end
7
The Seahawks almost defeated themselves.
17
Actually, the Seahawks defeated the Packers.
2
Seahawks’ win: like life, when luck (winning the coin toss) happens, be prepared! Go Hawks!
17
Sorry but that's not an appropriate way to decide a title game that's tied. 15 more minutes of play by normal NFL rules at least, preferably 30, then maybe sudden death. Winning by the vagaries of a coin flip is senseless, if only one team ever has the chance to score.
19
Then maybe you should avoid OT by winning
26
The coin toss didn't decide the game. The team that won the toss didn't win based on the toss. Green Bay had prevented Seattle from getting first downs for the entire first half. That's all they had to do, one more time. Prevent Seattle from getting a first down. They didn't. Then all they had to do was prevent Seattle from getting a TD (which they'd also managed to do for the first half of the game). They didn't. They lost. They lost because Seattle got their usual rhythm late in the game (which is par for course with Seattle) and their offense outplayed Green Bay's defense and Seattle's defense outplayed Green Bay's offense and Seattle's special teams outplayed Green Bay. In the end, it was how the teams finished playing the game that determined the outcome.
48
The "vagaries of a coin flip" doesn't prevent a team from playing defense. Nice try though.
26
Being a Seahawks fan is one of the few joys my life has afforded me the past few years. Anything can happen and as unrealistic as that statement seems, watch the last 10 minutes of this game. That craziness is regular occurrence here.
Blaming this on a coaching failure is just a form of denial, watch the Seahawks game execution in the last minutes through the OT period win, and you will see what Seahawks fans see, no ego or hero worship, what we see in Seattle is teamwork and positivity. That is why they're screaming, we are in this all together.
The last time Seattle played New England was 2012 in Seattle, final score Seahawks 24 Patriots 23.
It is going to be a Great Super Bowl!
Blaming this on a coaching failure is just a form of denial, watch the Seahawks game execution in the last minutes through the OT period win, and you will see what Seahawks fans see, no ego or hero worship, what we see in Seattle is teamwork and positivity. That is why they're screaming, we are in this all together.
The last time Seattle played New England was 2012 in Seattle, final score Seahawks 24 Patriots 23.
It is going to be a Great Super Bowl!
60
Sure beats the Kingdome days, huh?!
7
This ones for you, Katie.
"Fake Field Goals 101 with Jim Zorn & Efren Herrera":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeJq1BQsd_c
"Fake Field Goals 101 with Jim Zorn & Efren Herrera":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeJq1BQsd_c
6
I love it! I wish I'd lived in Seattle during Zorn's days but, sadly, I arrived in the area in 1989 during what I call the Seahawks' "Dark Era". The only thing more depressing than going to or watching a Seahawks game in the Kingdome at that time was going to or watching a Mariners game in the Kingdome!
This winning business - sure a long time coming and so worth the wait. Seattle (since Holmgren's days) finally started to get to experience what Green Bay's fans have been able to experience for decades - a winning team!
This winning business - sure a long time coming and so worth the wait. Seattle (since Holmgren's days) finally started to get to experience what Green Bay's fans have been able to experience for decades - a winning team!
5
East Coast vs. West Coast - that's what will meet in the upcoming Super Bowl. I love the match up - the Seahawks vs. the Patriots. The Seahawks are hungry for a repeat. Can't wait - two Superbowl winning franchise teams with plenty of tricks up their sleeves. Calm, cool and well prepared. The Seahawks and Patriots.
38
I agree. This was the Super Bowl I wanted all along. This will be an epic match up. Can't wait! Go Hawks!!
14
I think the OT rule is unfair, both teams should at least have had a possession or a chance to score. I thought the rules went, the first one to score wins, but only after both teams have had a possession? So, if the team winning the toss scores, the other team still has a chance to score. 's unfair any other way.
29
So... the OT rules are unfair because you don't understand them? This isn't college rebecca.
14
It used to be sudden death just a few years back - first team to score after the coin toss wins. That was crazy. Now they've taken half measures to make it a bit more 'fair'. My hunch is they have potential added injuries if they extend time which is a pretty big deal in the NFL. Games involve all sorts of chance including coin flips et al (see the horse that lost the derby because he jumped over the steeple shadow). This game did not hinge on the coin toss - look at the 2 point conversion by Seattle - just dumb luck but the game didn't hinge on this play either nor was it muffed on-side kick. Chance is just part of the game and the Packers should never have been in the position they put themselves in period.
1
I do know the rules - and I think they are totally unfair. As a Seahawks fan, I'm thrilled with the way the game turned out but this rule has got to go. One thing I don't know/understand: if only a field goal is scored by the first team with possession in overtime, why does the other team in that situation get a possession (but not if the first score is a touchdown)? What's the sense in that?
Champions close the deal.
Though I tip my hat the Green Bay for playing a great game and being a truly great team, and though they played better for most of the game (Seattle was totally out of character), end the end the better team won because the better team knows how to finish.
Green Bay's time will come. In the meantime, everyone from Wisconsin should consider this their win, too, given that Wilson led the Badgers during college. He's your guy, too!
Though I tip my hat the Green Bay for playing a great game and being a truly great team, and though they played better for most of the game (Seattle was totally out of character), end the end the better team won because the better team knows how to finish.
Green Bay's time will come. In the meantime, everyone from Wisconsin should consider this their win, too, given that Wilson led the Badgers during college. He's your guy, too!
43
Sorry, Katie, but you are grossly overstating your team's miraculous win (and you appear lacking in knowledge - GB was an SB champ within the last decade). 'Champions' don't show up with that abominable performance and eke out a victory at the last second; they play at a high caliber across the board and win because they deserved to. They were hardly the better team today - they just happened to be the team that won. For your sake, you best hope they don't show up with that amateur effort in Phoenix. Belichick and Brady will crush them.
1
Green Bay's time will come? Don't they have the most championships ever in the NFL? You must be young :)
I just wish we would have won that bowl game. Even though the outcome makes me sick, we all still love Wilson here that is for sure.
We've had Interstate 95 superbowls before, but this will be the first Interstate 90 superbowl.
20
Seattle vs New England - two of the most unpleasant teams in the NFL. Hard to pick who to root for or root against.
13
Agreed. Since I despise all Boston teams and only dislike the Seahawks, that will probably be my rooting interest.
2
Oh come on. There isn't anything unpleasant about Seattle. Ours is a team that truly loves the game and the brotherhood they form with one another and, especially, their fans. Being happy is a choice, btw.
58
Nothing unpleasant? Richard Sherman is extremely unpleasant.
8
I would have been happy with either team winning, but I like this kid Wilson. If they can go back-to-back, he will have, at a very young age, made a name for himself.
30
We all love Wilson here too, but the outcome of the game is very hard to swallow. Not enough discipline on special teams, really cost us a lot of heartache.
Pats look like a ten point favorite right now.
Good time to revisit some of the "expert" commentary about them from three months ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/sports/football/losses-leave-patriots-...
Here's a snippet:
“How is it possible, with all these draft picks and all this guru stuff we hear coming out of the personnel expertise of the Patriots and how great they’ve been for so long, how have they been able to not support Tom Brady in his career in the last five years — especially this year — with enough personnel to go attack a Super Bowl?”
Good time to revisit some of the "expert" commentary about them from three months ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/sports/football/losses-leave-patriots-...
Here's a snippet:
“How is it possible, with all these draft picks and all this guru stuff we hear coming out of the personnel expertise of the Patriots and how great they’ve been for so long, how have they been able to not support Tom Brady in his career in the last five years — especially this year — with enough personnel to go attack a Super Bowl?”
The Seahawks were written off too. The season is four months long and is dynamic.
Don't believe everything you read, especially in October.
Don't believe everything you read, especially in October.
8
This flag is brought to you by Las Vegas casinos. What stays in Vegas is your money. The National Flag League is at best a gambling and commercial vehicle, certainly not to be taken seriously as a sport.
4
Somebody lost a big bet here I'm guessing. It's not the NFL's fault you made bad bets.
8
You guess incorrectly. I don't gamble and I didn't watch.
You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out that organized crime influences the outcomes of NFL games. Never bet on any NFL games, unless you know which team the organized criminals have their money on!
Ouch. I wonder how differently this would've gone if Rodgers had been healthy.
I also want to know how Richard Sherman is doing.
I also want to know how Richard Sherman is doing.
2
I wonder how differently this would've gone if Lombardi had been alive.
16
It really goes back to the Buffalo game. The Packers had their chance to have this game in Green Bay. Nothing against Buffalo they have a great team, but the Packers should have brought their A game, and things might have been different in the frozen tundra.
Green Bay's story is the lead. But Seattle stunk up the stadium for 3 1/2 quarters and then won mostly because of Green Bay mistakes. Anything can happen week to week, but this week nobody in Settle looked even remotely like a Super Bowl champion.
13
Superbowl champions win.
Superbowl champions don't "play great for three 1/2 quarters."
Superbowl champions don't "play great for three 1/2 quarters."
15
Or...Green Bay led for most of the game only because Seattle was playing out of character and Seattle almost let Green Bay steal their trip back to the Super Bowl from them. Of course, they closed out like champions.
See, the story can be written either way.
See, the story can be written either way.
18
I love a team that only comes to life in the last three minutes of a game. Unbelievable!
8
It does make watching the whole game a monumental waste of time.
8
I believe all football is a complete waste of time but realize that I am in the minority.
13
Nonsense. Superior coaching/strategic decision making. And the fact that these guys could have easily given up (e.g. RW- "I had a bad day", ML- "my arm was hurt") is really quite inspiring! As the song goes: "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again". Good advice to anyone.
6
You hear a lot of talk in sports about destiny's team. Did that highly improbable leave any doubt?
Can you even begin to imagine the vast gulf between the heights of our emotions and the depths of their agonies?
One of the most shocking and satisfying football games I have ever viewed.
Can you even begin to imagine the vast gulf between the heights of our emotions and the depths of their agonies?
One of the most shocking and satisfying football games I have ever viewed.
25
The New England Patriots are slaughtering the Colts in the 3rd quarter by some 30 points, and counting. Comparing the two teams facing off for the Superbowl, I expect it to be one boring game as Brady and company blow the socks off the hapless Seahawks. What a disappointment.
4
pats always choke against good teams. indianapolis is not that good. seattle repeats.
4
It will be fairly close. The Colts' defense is horrible. The Hawk's D is one of the best in years, possibly rivaling Mike Ditka's Bears.
I hope you arent a bookie.
I hope you arent a bookie.
9
Just read all the news from last year, and just substitute the word "broncos" with the word "patriots".
43-8.
43-8.
33
Never mind the Pack should have been up 24-0 at halftime, the two point conversion and onside kick were the bungled plays that cost them the win.
12
Well Seattle had many missteps along the way that cost them that 16-0 lead. Such is the weird nature of football where even the best teams have bad moments and games.
Packers played a heck of a game!
Packers played a heck of a game!
5
Or...Seattle's early bungles are what almost cost them the game.
3
Wait wait wait.
Coaches called for the Prevent Offense at 6 minutes and 5 minutes.
Victory formation on an INTERCEPTION.
Prevent Defense with no safety up the middle?
The game was lost way before the onside.
Coaches called for the Prevent Offense at 6 minutes and 5 minutes.
Victory formation on an INTERCEPTION.
Prevent Defense with no safety up the middle?
The game was lost way before the onside.
5
Go get 'em, Patriots. Run over Russell Wilson like you're running over Andrew Luck.
8
Won't happen. Hawks by 13! The Colts have no defense and no running game. They were lucky yo have made it this far.
Pats will play a good SB but the Seattle D will shut them down.
Pats will play a good SB but the Seattle D will shut them down.
8
Sorry, but the Patriots are the only Super Bowl team that looks genuinely Super, not just good for half a quarter and one series in overtime.
2
Well you're being totally unreasonable now.
Seattle had a bad start and were playing out of character. So what. What matters is how a team finishes. Many teams wouldn't have had the internal fortitude and confidence and drive to play hard to the end after such a bad start. Seattle did. It's why they are defending Super Bowl champions.
Seattle had a bad start and were playing out of character. So what. What matters is how a team finishes. Many teams wouldn't have had the internal fortitude and confidence and drive to play hard to the end after such a bad start. Seattle did. It's why they are defending Super Bowl champions.
17
Only good thing in this game was Sherman's big mouth got shut and he looks bad. Assuming Patriots, win, it will be a battle between two of the most corrupt coaches may the better (or worse ) coach win.
2
Spoken like a true 49ers fan.
13
Sherman got an interception. How did he look bad?
You are posting nothing but sour grapes, San Fran fan.
You are posting nothing but sour grapes, San Fran fan.
20
San Fran fans just want to be winners, too. Wingate just has a mouth full of sour grapes. He/she will be fine with a swig of water.
9
If you are to take a championship or win a championship you must do so decisively. The Packers lost this game in the first quarter when they opted for a field goal from the two yard line. The decision was conservative and not that of a championship team.
46
Saw a great writeup from Business Insider of all places that said the Packers played conservatively so as not to lose, rather than to win. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-packers-blew-the-seahawks-game-20...
2
New offensive philosophy.
No field goals until the 4th quarter.
Touchdowns early win games.
No field goals until the 4th quarter.
Touchdowns early win games.
4
Another thing that was unreal, is when Morgan had a interception, and just went down. Nobody was around him, sure that is the safe thing to do, but I don't want safe I want to win.
Check that...I'm not from this planet, neither is Russell Wilson
8
I am not from this planet, neither was this game.
3
Packers deserved to lose. Settling for field goals in the red zone early on. The onside kick blunder. Etc. etc. The Hawks handed them a gift and the Packers gave it back.
50
Nothing on the fact that Sherman didn't extend his arm for the last 20 minutes ? I was surprised that Green Bay didn't isolate Sherman on a quick out and make him actually have to tackle someone with one arm.
I'd say he's questionable at best for the Super Bowl. It will be a big story tomorrow.
I'd say he's questionable at best for the Super Bowl. It will be a big story tomorrow.
14
That's overstated. Cover Corners hardly tackle anyway. They are the worst tacklers on the Defense.
More to the point, Sherman was all over his man. To tackle him, his man had to catch the ball and to catch the ball, he had to be open. He wasn't.
A one armed Sherman is as good as most other
two armed corner backs. And I don't care for the guy.
More to the point, Sherman was all over his man. To tackle him, his man had to catch the ball and to catch the ball, he had to be open. He wasn't.
A one armed Sherman is as good as most other
two armed corner backs. And I don't care for the guy.
13
i was surprised they left sherman in, risking further injury. what if he had to make a game saving tackle?
Sherman tackles Jordy Nelson with :19 to go, forcing the Pack's game tying field goal. He used BOTH arms in doing it.
6
A real failure of leadership here. The organization owes the fans a big apology.
13
This is pure basic football at it's best. Why is the organization to be blamed?
7
My heart goes out to you BRH. The shut down D was impressive by the Packers most of the game. But the shut down offense after the first half was unconscionable. You don't sit on a sixteen point lead against Seattle in their stadium.
McCarthy should be fired. Packer fans deserves better.
Being beaten by a bunch of pocket protector wearing, hipster fans adds insult to injury. If they weren't handed a good team, they'd be marching to the NY Times' drumbeat to banish football from the face of the Earth.
McCarthy should be fired. Packer fans deserves better.
Being beaten by a bunch of pocket protector wearing, hipster fans adds insult to injury. If they weren't handed a good team, they'd be marching to the NY Times' drumbeat to banish football from the face of the Earth.
5
If those in conference championships were required to do that, what would be the recommendation for last place holders like Bucs and Jets? Harakiri?
4
Even though I would have preferred one of the Manning brothers to do it, it would be great watching Seattle overcome Brady on Feb 1st.
26
Why did Green Bay play for a tie with 85 seconds and three time outs? The coach had better have a good reason. I thought the object of the game was to win and I bet Lombardi wouldn't have chickened out.
4
don't be ridiculous. if they had gone for it and lost, they never would have heard the end. play it for certain, and get the overtime. the question is, what happened to their defense in those last few minutes? it had been so good. That 2 point conversion was pure luck. dud should have knocked it down. that was the game right there.
7
There were so many mistakes before that, it just makes you sick. I was surprised Crosby hit that clutch FG. Crosby has ice in his veins. Wilson's two point conversion makes me sick. He threw the ball across the field, and it was a floater. Yet Ha Ha couldn't make a play on the ball....ouch!
I watched the 1958 NFL championship and the 'ice bowl.' I didn't have a dog in this fight but this ranks with the most exciting games in NFL history.
85
The problem was that so much was decided by bad play. It took some of the thrill off. (Not a whole lot, though.)
1
Only the final 4 minutes was compelling. And even that, like the previous 56 was full of poor play. Seahawks played aggressively and took advantage though.
Hawk fan here but had to hide my eyes for most of this game...I do admire the tenacity and the perseverance
This was Green Bay's game until the last moment of the 4th qtr.
This was Green Bay's game until the last moment of the 4th qtr.
28
Kudos to Green Bay for the terrific team they put on the field. Personally I believe that the SB was played in the Championship game.....just as it was last year.
Go Hawks !
Go Hawks !
2
Instant Karma's gonna get you
1
Amazing win considering the Seahawks played only half the game. Great coaching by Pete Carroll.
18
Try being a Seattle fan!! I still can't get used to them being 2nd half performers and iffy first half team. But, this team knows how to finish a game. You can determine if that makes them stronger or weaker. I don't know. It just seems that this team takes a little white to hit it's groove but once it does, watch out. Lights out.
11
His teams were like that at USC, too--they were known as "third-quarter" teams, which meant that I spent the 3 quarters at the edge of my seat ;) I have learned to never count Pete Carroll out, no matter what the circumstances, he will do what it takes to win.
This particular team is special, as well. Anyone can see how they've bonded as a unit and unselfishly play for each other. It's awesome!
GO HAWKS!
This particular team is special, as well. Anyone can see how they've bonded as a unit and unselfishly play for each other. It's awesome!
GO HAWKS!
3
I don't have either team as a favorite, but to have the outcome in large part decided by a coin flip has to be the stupidest rule in all of professional sports.
13
Seattle got the ball on their own 13 and sliced through the Packer D with no trouble for a TD. If they had held them to a FG they would have had the ball back. You sure sound like a Packer fan. How about playing just a little defense?
16
It's not decided by a coin flip. If your defense holds them to a field goal, then you get possession of the ball. If you allow a touchdown, then the game is over. So, ultimately, the game was decided by GB's inability to stop Wilson. Funny, given the first three quarters of the game..
11
That's nonsense. Football isn't just a game of offense. Seattle proves as much with it's Legion of Boom. Both offense and defense have to step up to win games so if you can't defend against a TD then you don't deserve to win.
4
What a great comeback! Alaska is Seahawk country. Go Hawks!
45
the packers coaches should be whipped in down town green bay, especially the special teams guy, where was the protective wall and the designated catcher?
the same sucker decoy play three times? the fake field goal was a disgrace, give them the three points-----inexcusable, and an example of guys having the job for thirty years and have no idea what to do.
the same sucker decoy play three times? the fake field goal was a disgrace, give them the three points-----inexcusable, and an example of guys having the job for thirty years and have no idea what to do.
11
Colossal failure of nerve by the GB coaching staff. Even before the final collapse, Seattle had a third and nineteen. The Packers rushed two guys, with a third shadowing Russell. Essentially, GB gave Russell unlimited time in the pocket, apparently hoping that he would make a mistake. NFL coaches rarely take risks. And that aversion to risk showed in the utterly pathetic effort by GB late in the game. What a humiliation.
50
I thought the same thing about that 2.5 man rush
1
What it told me is that GB's coaching staff really doesn't know Pete Carroll all that well. That they didn't think Seattle would go for the end zone on 3rd down in overtime is crazy. Bad err in judgment on GB's coach's part.
6
Pass prevent....... phooey!
What a tragic Loss for the Packers! Onside kick recovery surely helped Hawks. The goat is the Packer who missed the onside kick.
AS posted earlier in USA Today: "EARLY EDITION"
"Sensational Seahawks Pulvierize Packers!" (Again)
The Seahawks looked awful--especially R.W.
M.L. saved the day to get them to O.T.
The Patriots owned the Colts during the first half so.....
"Patriarchal Patriots Corral Colts!" (Again - #6)
AS posted earlier in USA Today: "EARLY EDITION"
"Sensational Seahawks Pulvierize Packers!" (Again)
The Seahawks looked awful--especially R.W.
M.L. saved the day to get them to O.T.
The Patriots owned the Colts during the first half so.....
"Patriarchal Patriots Corral Colts!" (Again - #6)
2
Actually "the goat" is the Packers coaching staff, who failed to press their advantage aggressively when they had the opportunity.
16
They went for the guaranteed 3 points instead of coming away empty handed......the game was lost at the end of the 4th quarter and in O.T.
Messed up onside catch doomed them.
McCarthy is a multii-millionaire and Ted Thompson will keep him, any questions?
Messed up onside catch doomed them.
McCarthy is a multii-millionaire and Ted Thompson will keep him, any questions?
1
Well, it was their off game. Better to get it out of their system today than in the Super Bowl (I hope). Given their record of the last 3 years, I think it's safe for us all to just admit that Seattle really has a tremendous football team and program.
8
For the first 3 periods of this game I could not believe the Cardinal's third string QB played better than the Seattle third string QB.
Once again, Aaron Rodgers, like Peyton Manning so many times before, always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
Once again, Aaron Rodgers, like Peyton Manning so many times before, always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
6
Once a bride for both of them.
7
Another great example of the old English proverb "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip."
6
If you're drinking tea, that matters. Beer, no so much. But now that you mention it, some of the GB coaches must've been drunk with something, maybe anxiety, or perhaps unworthiness.
The Seahawk's fans knew they were going to win. According to Google, before this game was played, more people in Seattle were searching for airline tickets to Phoenix, than those fans in the other cities.
10
I think there are far fewer people in Green Bay than in Seattle.
8
We just witnessed the de facto Super Bowl, one of the most thrilling games ever.
80
Hardly. A game of unforced errors won by the "Hawks only because the ball bounced off of Bostick's face mask. And I am a Hawks fan.
Except for the actual Super Bowl, which will be played against the New England Patriots in Glendale AZ, not Seattle. Big difference.
In Bill we trust. Go Pats.
In Bill we trust. Go Pats.
1
Absolute, total collapse on the Packers' part. Their inability to cash in on their three red zone opportunities - all fg's - will haunt this team for a good, long while. McCarthy coached way too conservative on two of the last three drives of the game and it cost them dearly. The Hawks were "dead in the water" and we "let em off the hook."
What's that typical saying, "played not to lose instead of to WIN."
What's that typical saying, "played not to lose instead of to WIN."
27
Was up at 3am local time to catch the various Live Blogs (no direct broadcast here). Fortune favors the brave! Go Hawks!
25
Man - Seattle did not win a thing - what an epic collapse by Green Bay - coach should be fired.
5
I was open to either team winning, Seattle won because they never stopped. Thats how you win in life.
57
Sure Seattle won. Seattle is the strongest 4th quarter team in the NFL. It's their money zone. This is what they do. Champions find a way to win, even when they're down.
17
Packers squandered early opportunities. Instead of 16-0, coulda/shoulda been 24-0. Woulda been a vastly different game if they had cashed in 7s instead of 3s.
3
What if they lost the game by a small margin after failing to cash in 7s instead of 3s. I think people would then say they should have cashed in 3s instead of being greedy. Hindsight is always...
8
Seahawks deserve credit for holding thtem to 3s--they weren't at their best in the first three quarters, but they weren't dead either. Champs do all they can even during the times when they can't get in the rhythem of things. Those 3s were an investment in the future game, a sign that they never threw in the towel.
6
On one side, heck of a comeback... on the other, heck of a loss.
7
Both teams played like champions, just in different ways and at different times in the game. I have no criticism to give.
6
This is a marvelous game story by Ben Shpigel
8
With 6 minutes to go the Packers ran a prevent offense. After the interception, the Packers ran a prevent offense. Then they played prevent defense.......54 minutes aggressively, then taking it out of gear? Offensive coordinate has some explaining to do.
Good game. Sherman looks real hurt.
Good game. Sherman looks real hurt.
7
Seattle has been come from behind team for the whole almost the whole second half of the season. One could have a heart attack being their fan. Will the same pattern continue in the Super? Glenn
22
Even though we twelves are used to the Seahawks' pattern of shining in the second half, this game was a real heart-health test--palpitations all afternoon! Followed by so much screaming that the whole city is hoarse. But it's great fun to be a Seahawks fan in Seattle--greetings and gratitude to the twelves everywhere else. Go Hawks on 2/1/15!
16
Ha! That's what I told my husband during the game. I actually told him that I was afraid to breathe (for fear I'd cause a shift in momentum)!
3
Katie, one of the signs of being a fan is that a perfectly rational person can feel that if they aren't completely glued to the game during it, that the team may slip or not gain the momentum that complete attention from the fans can bring. Go figure!! Glenn
5
Pathetically ugly win.
6
Goes on the record as a W. It's football, not fine art.
10
operative word there is WIN...ugly or not.
13
But they won! It was hilarious to watch the Seahawks continue to push to the very end and win it.
16
Amazing, just amazing. Hawks showed the heart of a champion today.
56
The Packers showed the defensive choke of the century.
9
...and the Pack showed the brains of a yutz.
This was the first football game of the season for me. Walked the dog during OT. I didn't care who won and still don't. Thank heavens baseball is just around the corner.
10
As Katherine Hepburn once said, "I feel sorry for you."
1
I walked my dog halfway through your comment.
3
19 to 6 Packers with 5:04 to play and the ball. The Green Bay Packers were headed to the Super Bowl, but you just can't count an NFL team out of the game at any point. As incredible as the victory seems for us Hawk fans, it's got to be just as painful for the Packers. Go Hawks!
49
As a Seahawks fan, I am washing my mouth out with soap for all the profanity I spewed about our offense prior to the last two minutes of the game.
This was simply the most unbelievable comeback I've witnessed in my limited lifespan. Great coaching and team effort by all.
Sorry Packers, you guys might have earned it, but either grace or treachery stole it for us.
This was simply the most unbelievable comeback I've witnessed in my limited lifespan. Great coaching and team effort by all.
Sorry Packers, you guys might have earned it, but either grace or treachery stole it for us.
103
According to Russell Wilson, postgame, it was the grace of God . . .
Save some for us here in Renton, Matt!
It was grace...
It was grace...
1
With five minutes left, Green Bay acted like they had the game in the bag. I was wondering why they weren't trying harder to get first downs ... they played right into Seattle's hands. What an exciting comeback by Seattle!
76
Exactly...great comeback for Seattle...terrible coaching by the Packers.
5
Ha ha Saad, funny to see you on NYT.
Looking forward to a New England/Seattle game in a couple of weeks.
Looking forward to a New England/Seattle game in a couple of weeks.
I agree Saad, after their last interception they were beginning to celebrate, which I found really odd. Then they go through the motions like the time for coming back was officially over and let Seattle back in. I'm a Russell Wilson fan, but he was testing me throughout most of the game and a less than 100% AAron Rodgers looked like the consumate pro. But ever since Russell's Rose Bowl performance against the Ducks, where he nearly pulled off a come from behind win, I have admired him and never counted him out until all the time has run out.
11
I've been coaching, playing, and watching football games since 1955. I've seen numerous playoff games. This afternoon's Seahawks win, guided by Russell Wilson, ranks way up there as one of the best even. What else is there to say. Go Seahawks Go.
98
The most important plays in this game were, in order, the onside kick, the fake field goal, the Lynch TD run, the hail mary 2-pt conversion, the coin toss, the winning TD pass.
12
15 points in 40 seconds Go Hawks!!
11
A true "bird " fan no other team in history is so wonderful , great, outstanding.
NO for the record I am NOT a 49er FAN
NO for the record I am NOT a 49er FAN
1
One of the most dramatic, exciting finishes ever: the onside, the Lynch run, the miraculous two point conversion lob--and the incredible, risky Wilson to Kearse pass for the OT win. This is one for the books, to be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.
At 5 minutes left we had all but given up, people shaking their heads, texting their doubt, getting texts of doubt, heads hung low, and then...bam. bam. bam...and BAM! Our living room exploded with minutes long group jump dance. What a finish! Congratulation Seahawks! Super Bowl Bound--again!
At 5 minutes left we had all but given up, people shaking their heads, texting their doubt, getting texts of doubt, heads hung low, and then...bam. bam. bam...and BAM! Our living room exploded with minutes long group jump dance. What a finish! Congratulation Seahawks! Super Bowl Bound--again!
80
A win that shook the whole continent. Congrats Seattle!
52
I just don't know where to jump in here since I am apparently the ONLY person from Green Bay reading the NYT (I really hope not) and all of these comments. I spent the afternoon at a fabulous potluck/playoff party casually visiting with friends, cuddling children I hadn't seen in a while, easily enjoying what would surely be a win and I hoped a super bowl repeat with the Patriots. Then my soft-focused eyes were suddenly riveted intensely to the screen, shock causing my autonomic nervous system to take over, screams coming out of my grotesquely opened mouth, neck muscles tight and aching, headache coming (wondering if I had an aneurism about to burst in my brain) ....then the LONGEST SECONDS EVER RECORDED IN HISTORY ...... and it was all over. Head pounding I walked slowly to the kitchen, shoulders slumped with eyes downcast and....VOILA! ... dessert, lively conversation about all sorts of things, headache gone...and life goes on. Go Patriots (my deceased oldest brother's team where I won live Maine lobster in our Super Bowl bet)! But be aware I am not typical Green Bay - Titletown is in a dark place tonight and will be for a while.
2
Shook the whole continent? Gee, I didn't really notice. I guess I was too busy watching the Patriots demolish the Colts.
2
That was the biggest choke I have ever seen. Packer fans went from being sure of victory to miserable in 5 minutes. What kind of defense did the Packers switch to? What does the Prevent defense prevent anyway. I think it prevents you from winning.
48
Like many others, no doubt, I stopped watching the game with about five minutes left, then casually returned to the channel to see if the Packers were celebrating yet, just in time to see the Seahawks, newly in the lead (how could that be?) and about to score a 2 point conversion. I missed the crucial two minutes that erased the hopeless 12 point deficit because I thought there might be something interesting on the local news.
22
There is now!...
16
What a disaster for the Packers at the end. Had many chances to make one single play, and every time the Hawks came away with the play. Congratulations Seattle and best of luck in the SB!
18
Even as a Bears fan, the Packers not getting a chance in OT to score seems like a complete travesty
22
That's why you try to win in regulation.
10
As a Seahawks fan, I agree. The game should not depend so much on a flip of a coin. In OT, two possessions--no matter what. Change the rule. I would have enjoyed the chance for the Seahawk's D to stop the Packers after the final TD. And it would be fair.
11
The Packers didn't give themselves a chance by not executing defense when they needed to.
10
The Cheese has melted. One of the worst coaching jobs in playoff history. Settling for 2 early field goals was a show of weakness, that came back to haunt The Pack.
24
Yes it did, and was noted in our house at the time. Kinda over-the-top conservative by a coach whose feel for the game I generally like.
Then Mike outdid himself with the lead. The ritual two useless runs and a safe
incompletion; then they get the ball back, on another lucky-bounce int, one of a dozen gifts from the football gods this day, and refused to compete on the runback!!! Was the kid told to do that on the sidelines?
Bad feeling immediately. Then second consecutive poor pressure punt,
unbelievably bad positioning by D-backs, the Moment-Is-Too-Big muff
by the young tight end on the onsides kick, more terrible defensive positioning,
and another moment-too-big failure by Clinton-Dix on the convsrsion (had a day-and-a-half to position himself for an int).
Top it off: the coin flip is crucial in the outcome (many plaudits for "Hawks willingnes to go for td) - how can you decide a champ game with one side
(a relatively poor defense) not even getting a chance to tie? Insane.
But the biggest goat, far and away (worst sense of game flow since Jim
Fassel against Niners in playoffs), was Mike McCarthy, who read the game
badly - at beginning and end. The dread Conservative Coach's Bible, featuring hearts of little mice, strikes again.....(especially considering Seattle had a
damaged secondary).
Would like to see football adopt culture of amateur wrestling, where failure to compete (stalling) is penalized immediately.
Then Mike outdid himself with the lead. The ritual two useless runs and a safe
incompletion; then they get the ball back, on another lucky-bounce int, one of a dozen gifts from the football gods this day, and refused to compete on the runback!!! Was the kid told to do that on the sidelines?
Bad feeling immediately. Then second consecutive poor pressure punt,
unbelievably bad positioning by D-backs, the Moment-Is-Too-Big muff
by the young tight end on the onsides kick, more terrible defensive positioning,
and another moment-too-big failure by Clinton-Dix on the convsrsion (had a day-and-a-half to position himself for an int).
Top it off: the coin flip is crucial in the outcome (many plaudits for "Hawks willingnes to go for td) - how can you decide a champ game with one side
(a relatively poor defense) not even getting a chance to tie? Insane.
But the biggest goat, far and away (worst sense of game flow since Jim
Fassel against Niners in playoffs), was Mike McCarthy, who read the game
badly - at beginning and end. The dread Conservative Coach's Bible, featuring hearts of little mice, strikes again.....(especially considering Seattle had a
damaged secondary).
Would like to see football adopt culture of amateur wrestling, where failure to compete (stalling) is penalized immediately.
4
I believe you mean that the two field goals were a testament to the tenacity of the Seattle defense. And saved the game for an eventual Seahawks victory!
13
I don't know. Seattle fan here. The Seattle D was looking very, very good against the Packers offense in the first half. They stopped many, many plays in the red zone. It was the Seattle offense that was giving up the game in the first half: turnovers and and three-and-outs. Just because the Seattle offense was horrid doesn't mean GB should have given up the easy 3s when the Seattle defense was repeatedly stopping them cold when it counted.
Yes, it was a miraculous comeback, but the Seattle defense was virtually flawless in the first half.
Yes, it was a miraculous comeback, but the Seattle defense was virtually flawless in the first half.
14
Best comeback ever!! Love this Seahawks team;) love Pete Carroll! I would not be watching the Super Bowl otherwise ;). Thank you! Go Hawks!!
43
Nice comeback. Great? Nope, too much help from Bert Lahr on the other sideline (and I'm almost always a fan of Mike's game decisions).
The Cowardly Lion Classic....
The Cowardly Lion Classic....
1
Best cornerback ever can't cover Julio Jones
Enough of the snarky, occupy-everything, anti-football and big money comments. Let's enjoy this.