1979 Seattle Seahawks season

1979 Seattle Seahawks season
Owner	The Nordstrom family
General manager	John Thompson
Head coach	Jack Patera
Home stadium	Kingdome
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	WR Steve Largent (2nd team)
Pro Bowlers	WR Steve Largent
←  1978 Seahawks seasons 1980  →

The 1979 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's fourth season in the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks had a winning record for the second consecutive year, matching their 9–7 record from 1978.

Starting off the season with a 1–4 record, the Seahawks rallied to finish 9–7. Season highlights included a sweep of the Oakland Raiders for the second straight year, and winning both of their Monday Night Football contests on the road against the Atlanta Falcons and at home against the New York Jets, where Jim Zorn completed 13 passes in a row in a 30–7 victory. The team also enjoyed their first victory over the Denver Broncos 28–23 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Zorn to Largent in the final minutes.

Season lowlights included a 37–34 loss in Denver, after leading 34–10 midway through the 3rd quarter. The Los Angeles Rams shut out the Seattle Seahawks 24–0, holding the Seahawks to −7 yards total offense, and only one first down. The team lost twice to the Kansas City Chiefs, including a 37–21 defeat in week 14 that eliminated Seattle from playoff contention. The team also lost running back David Sims, who led the AFC in touchdowns in 1978, to a career-ending injury.

The 1979 season was the franchise's last winning season until 1983 when new coach Chuck Knox led the Seahawks to their first playoff berth and Championship game appearance.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1979 NFL draft

1979 Seattle Seahawks draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	18	Manu Tuiasosopo	Defensive tackle	UCLA
2	45	Joe Norman	Linebacker	Indiana
3	57	Michael Jackson	Linebacker	Washington
4	102	Mark Bell	Defensive end	Colorado State
7	169	Larry Polowski	Linebacker	Boise State
9	240	Ezra Tate	Running back	Mississippi College
10	267	Robert Hardy	Defensive tackle	Jackson State
11	293	Jim Hinesly	Guard	Michigan State
12	319	Jeff Moore	Running Back	Jackson State
Made roster

Undrafted free agents

1979 undrafted free agents of note

Player	Position	College
Chuck Benbow	Fullback	Long Beach State
Tim Beyer	Tight end	Oregon
Bob Cale	Safety	North Carolina
David Charles	Wide receiver	Wisconsin
Robert Chatman	Wide receiver	Mississippi State
Mark Conrad	Punter	Puget Sound
Gary Davis	Running back	Texas A&M
Howard Dodge	Linebacker	Nevada
Max Ediger	Fullback	Kansas
Tim Ellis	Quarterback	Ole Miss
Jim Frith	Linebacker	Rice
Bob Grefseng	Linebacker	Ole Miss
Dwayne Hall	Wide receiver	Oregon State
Chuck Harbin	Guard	Central Michigan
Gus Hobus	Tight end	Washington State
Dave Hopewell	Tackle	Kentucky
Tom Jesko	Tackle	Kent State
Mike Johnson	Safety	UC Davis
Greg Laetsch	Wide receiver/Tight end	Furman
James Lamar	Linebacker	San Diego State
Jim Mickelson	Safety	Montana State
Jeff Morgan	Wide receiver	Alabama State
Mark Murphy	Tackle/Guard	Long Beach State
John Patterson	Cornerback	Syracuse
Bucky Shamburger	Wide receiver	Georgia Tech
Mark Stevenson	Center	Western Illinois
Clarence Steward	Linebacker	Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Ken Thomas	Defensive End	Cameron
Brant Tunget	Tight end	Fresno State
Ross Varner	Defensive end	BYU
Phil Vierneisel	Punter	Illinois
Ike Williams	Running back	Florida A&M
Theodis Williams	Wide receiver	Arkansas Tech
Jay Wyatt	Punter	Houston

Personnel

Staff

1979 Seattle Seahawks staff

Front office Managing general partner – Herman Sarkowsky general manager – John Thompson Assistant general manager – Mark Duncan Director of player personnel – Dick Mansperger Director of pro scouting – Chuck Allen Head coaches Head coach – Jack Patera Offensive coaches Offensive/quarterbacks/receivers – Jerry Rhome Offensive backs – Andy MacDonald Offensive line – Howard Mudd

Defensive coaches Defensive/linebackers – Larry Peccatiello Defensive line – Jim E. Mora Defensive backs – Jack Christiansen Special teams coaches Special teams – Rusty Tillman Strength and conditioning Head trainer – Bruce Scott Assistant trainer – Jim Whitesel

Final roster

1979 Seattle Seahawks roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Sam Adkins 16 Steve Myer 10 Jim Zorn Running backs (RB) 31 Tony Benjamin 33 Dan Doornink 34 Tony Green 24 Al Hunter 32 Jeff Moore 47 Sherman Smith Wide receivers (WR) 86 Jessie Green 80 Steve Largent 84 Sam McCullum 83 Steve Raible Tight ends (TE) 82 Mark Bell 88 Brian Peets

Offensive linemen (OL) 76 Steve August T 63 Nick Bebout T 60 Ron Coder G 69 Bill Fifer T 54 Art Kuehn G/C 61 Tom Lynch G 70 Jeff Sevy T 51 John Yarno C Defensive linemen (DL) 68 Dennis Boyd DE 67 Bill Cooke DT 71 Carl Eller DE 77 Bill Gregory DE 75 Robert Hardy DT 74 Manu Tuiasosopo DT

Linebackers (LB) 58 Terry Beeson MLB 53 Keith Butler OLB 57 Peter Cronan MLB 56 Sammy Green OLB 55 Michael Jackson OLB 52 Joe Norman OLB 50 Larry Polowski OLB Defensive backs (DB) 27 Autry Beamon FS 22 Dave Brown CB 44 John Harris FS 26 Kerry Justin CB 20 Mike O'Brien SS 42 Keith Simpson SS 38 Cornell Webster CB Special teams (ST)  1 Efrén Herrera K 18 Herman Weaver P

Reserve 85 Mike Allen WR (IR) 72 Louis Bullard T (IR) 25 Don Dufek S (IR) 78 Bob Newton (IR) 66 Bill Sandifer DT (IR) 81 John Sawyer TE (IR) 35 David Sims RB (IR) 30 Ezra Tate RB (IR) Rookies in italics 45 active, 8 reserve

^[1]

• Starters in bold.
• (*) Denotes players that were selected for the 1980 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	Recap
1	August 2	Minnesota Vikings	W 12–9	1–0	Kingdome	Recap
2	August 12	Dallas Cowboys	W 27–17	2–0	Kingdome	Recap
3	August 18	at Los Angeles Rams	L 17–21	2–1	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Recap
4	August 24	San Francisco 49ers	W 55–20	3–1	Kingdome	Recap

Source: Seahawks Media Guides ^{[2] [3]}

Regular season

Divisional matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC West.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	Recap
1	September 2	San Diego Chargers	L 16–33	0–1	Kingdome [4]	Recap
2	September 9	at Miami Dolphins	L 10–19	0–2	Miami Orange Bowl [5]	Recap
3	September 16	Oakland Raiders	W 27–10	1–2	Kingdome [6]	Recap
4	September 23	at Denver Broncos	L 34–37	1–3	Mile High Stadium [7]	Recap
5	September 30	Kansas City Chiefs	L 6–24	1–4	Kingdome [8]	Recap
6	October 7	at San Francisco 49ers	W 35–24	2–4	Candlestick Park [9]	Recap
7	October 14	at San Diego Chargers	L 10–20	2–5	San Diego Stadium [10]	Recap
8	October 21	Houston Oilers	W 34–14	3–5	Kingdome [11]	Recap
9	October 29	at Atlanta Falcons	W 31–28	4–5	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium [12]	Recap
10	November 4	Los Angeles Rams	L 0–24	4–6	Kingdome [13]	Recap
11	November 11	at Cleveland Browns	W 29–24	5–6	Cleveland Stadium [14]	Recap
12	November 18	New Orleans Saints	W 38–24	6–6	Kingdome [15]	Recap
13	November 26	New York Jets	W 30–7	7–6	Kingdome [16]	Recap
14	December 2	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 21–37	7–7	Arrowhead Stadium [17]	Recap
15	December 8	Denver Broncos	W 28–23	8–7	Kingdome [18]	Recap
16	December 16	at Oakland Raiders	W 29–24	9–7	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [19]	Recap

Bold indicates division opponents.

Source: 1979 NFL season results ^[20]

Standings

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers (1)	12	4	0	.750	6–2	9–3	411	246	W2
Denver Broncos (5)	10	6	0	.625	4–4	7–5	289	262	L2
Seattle Seahawks	9	7	0	.563	3–5	6–6	378	372	W2
Oakland Raiders	9	7	0	.563	3–5	5–7	365	337	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	9	0	.438	4–4	7–7	238	262	L1

Game summaries

For the second straight year, the Seahawks missed the playoffs by one game. Season highlights included sweeping the Oakland Raiders for the 2nd straight year, and defeating the Denver Broncos for the 1st time in team history in a comeback thriller 28–23 at the Kingdome, and winning the team's first appearance on MNF over the Atlanta Falcons, 31–28. The team started out 3–5, and had a 6–2 finish. A 37–21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in week 14 knocked them out of playoff contention, but rebounded to end their season repeating 1978 at 9–7.

Preseason

Week P1: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Vikings	0	6	0	3	0	9
Seahawks	9	0	0	0	3	12

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: August 2
• Game time: 7:30 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 60,881
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV: KIRO tape delay
• Gamebook

Week P2: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	0	3	7	17
Seahawks	7	7	3	10	27

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: August 12
• Game time: 6:09 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 59,960
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV: ABC tape delay
• Gamebook

Week P3: at Los Angeles Rams

Preseason Week Three: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	7	0	3	17
Rams	7	0	14	0	21

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

• Date: August 18
• Game time: 7:05 pm local
• Game weather: overcast, 72 °F (22 °C), wind W light
• Game attendance: 46,083
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV: KIRO
• Gamebook

Week P4: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	0	20	20
Seahawks	17	17	21	0	55

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: August 24
• Game time: 7:34 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 59,941
• Referee: Cal Lepore
• TV: KIRO tape delay
• Gamebook

Regular season

Week 1: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week One: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	13	10	10	33
Seahawks	3	7	0	6	16

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: September 2
• Game time: 1:02 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 62,887
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover and Mike Haffner
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 34-yard field goal, 8:26 (SEA 3–0) Second quarter SD – Clarence Williams 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 14:56 (SD 7–3) SD – Rolf Benirschke 31-yard field goal, 11:16 (SD 10–3) SEA – Sherman Smith 4-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 4:51 (Tied 10–10) SD – Rolf Benirschke 42-yard field goal, 0:28 (SD 13–10) Third quarter SD – Rolf Benirschke 22-yard field goal, 3:41 (SD 16–10) SD – Clarence Williams 13-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 0:00 (SD 23–10) Fourth quarter SD – Mike Thomas 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 5:09 (SD 30–10) SD – Rolf Benirschke 23-yard field goal, 1:56 (SD 33–10) SEA – Sherman Smith 6-yard run (PAT failed), 0:24 (SD 33–16) Top passers SD – Dan Fouts: 21/30, 224 yds, 1 INT SEA – Jim Zorn: 16/28, 153 yds, 3 INT Top rushers SD – Clarence Williams: 14 car, 73 yds, 2 TD SEA – Sherman Smith: 18 car, 95 yds, 2 TD Top receivers SD – Artie Owens: 4 rec, 42 yds SEA – Steve Largent: 2 rec, 45 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SD – 217 – 139 – 356 – 1 SEA – 153 – 181 – 334 – 6

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins

Week Two: Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	3	7	0	10
Dolphins	0	9	3	7	19

at Orange Bowl, Miami

• Date: September 9
• Game time: 4:01 pm local
• Game weather: cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C), 81% humidity, wind SE 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
• Game attendance: 56,233
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter MIA – Nat Moore 3-yard pass from Bob Griese (PAT failed), 11:56 (MIA 6–0) SEA – Efrén Herrera 32-yard field goal, 3:23 (MIA 6–3) MIA – Uwe von Schamann 36-yard field goal, 0:20 (MIA 9–3) Third quarter SEA – Steve Raible 23-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 9:26 (SEA 10–9) MIA – Uwe von Schamann 31-yard field goal, 1:00 (MIA 12–9) Fourth quarter MIA – Norm Bulaich 7-yard pass from Bob Griese (Uwe von Schamann kick), 9:08 (MIA 19–10) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 21/45, 247 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT MIA – Bob Griese: 15/27, 208 yds, 2 TD Top rushers SEA – Sherman Smith: 11 car, 59 yds MIA – Larry Csonka: 13 car, 48 yds Top receivers SEA – Sherman Smith: 7 rec, 80 yds MIA – Duriel Harris: 5 rec, 117 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 226 – 119 – 345 – 4 MIA – 198 – 117 – 315 – 2

Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Three: Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	0	7	3	10
Seahawks	7	3	10	7	27

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: September 16
• Game time: 1:02 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 61,602
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Mike Haffner
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Steve Largent 40-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:08 (SEA 7–0) Second quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 46-yard field goal, 6:50 (SEA 10–0) Third quarter OAK – Rich Martini 12-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick), 10:41 (SEA 10–7) SEA – Efrén Herrera 20-yard field goal, 6:37 (SEA 13–7) SEA – Steve Largent 21-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 6:15 (SEA 20–7) Fourth quarter OAK – Jim Breech 37-yard field goal, 13:05 (SEA 20–10) SEA – Sherman Smith 7-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:00 (SEA 27–10) Top passers OAK – Ken Stabler: 25/37, 343 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT SEA – Jim Zorn: 13/22, 277 yds, 3 TD Top rushers OAK – Mark van Eeghen: 10 car, 54 yds SEA – Dan Doornink: 15 car, 52 yds Top receivers OAK – Cliff Branch: 7 rec, 156 yds SEA – Steve Largent: 5 rec, 139 yds, 2 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to OAK – 329 – 102 – 431 – 4 SEA – 316 – 103 – 419 – 0

Week 4: at Denver Broncos

Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	10	10	14	0	34
Broncos	0	10	21	6	37

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 23
• Game time: 2:00 pm local
• Game weather: clear, 81 °F (27 °C), 16% humidity, wind SW 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
• Game attendance: 74,879
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Mike Haffner
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 28-yard field goal, 12:45 (SEA 3–0) SEA – Dan Doornink 5-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:33 (SEA 10–0) Second quarter DEN – Jim Turner 27-yard field goal, 12:43 (SEA 10–3) SEA – Dan Doornink 5-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:09 (SEA 17–3) DEN – Otis Armstrong 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 7:34 (SEA 17–10) SEA – Efrén Herrera 22-yard field goal, 0:38 (SEA 20–10) Third quarter SEA – Sam McCullum 13-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:08 (SEA 27–10) SEA – Sherman Smith 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 9:28 (SEA 34–10) DEN – Dave Studdard 9-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick), 4:59 (SEA 34–17) DEN – Haven Moses 11-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick), 3:48 (SEA 34–24) DEN – Rick Upchurch 35-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick), 2:25 (SEA 34–31) Fourth quarter DEN – Rob Lytle 2-yard run (PAT failed), 11:20 (DEN 37–34) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 16/32, 190 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT DEN – Craig Morton: 11/16, 178 yds, 3 TD Top rushers SEA – Sherman Smith: 16 car, 81 yds, 1 TD DEN – Jim Jensen: 11 car, 39 yds Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent: 6 rec, 110 yds DEN – Riley Odoms: 5 rec, 125 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 197 – 153 – 350 – 4 DEN – 254 – 90 – 344 – 3

Week 5: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Five: Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	10	0	14	24
Seahawks	3	0	3	0	6

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: September 30
• Game time: 1:02 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 61,169
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Paul Maguire
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 38-yard field goal, 12:29 (SEA 3–0) Second quarter KC – Ted McKnight 23-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 13:49 (KC 7–3) KC – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 7:16 (KC 10–3) Third quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 20-yard field goal, 4:56 (KC 10–6) Fourth quarter KC – Mike Williams 3-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Jan Stenerud kick), 9:03 (KC 17–6) KC – Ted McKnight 84-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:27 (KC 24–6) Top passers KC – Steve Fuller: 8/12, 42 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT SEA – Jim Zorn: 23/38, 187 yds, 1 INT Top rushers KC – Ted McKnight: 12 car, 147 yds, 2 TD SEA – Sherman Smith: 13 car, 53 yds Top receivers KC – Ed Beckman: 1 rec, 12 yds SEA – Dan Doornink: 10 rec, 70 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to KC – 15 – 215 – 230 – 1 SEA – 178 – 134 – 312 – 2

Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Six: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	14	7	7	7	35
49ers	7	3	0	14	24

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

• Date: October 7
• Game time: 1:02 pm local
• Game weather: cloudy, 61 °F (16 °C), 77% humidity, wind variable
• Game attendance: 44,592
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Mike Haffner
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Dan Doornink 13-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:08 (SEA 7–0) SF – O. J. Simpson 1-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 7:37 (Tied 7–7) SEA – Dan Doornink 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 2:33 (SEA 14–7) Second quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 7-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 2:46 (SEA 21–7) SF – Ray Wersching 25-yard field goal, 0:00 (SEA 21–10) Third quarter SEA – Sammy Green 7-yard interception return (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:13 (SEA 28–10) Fourth quarter SF – Lenvil Elliott 8-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 8:54 (SEA 28–17) SEA – Jim Zorn 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:05 (SEA 35–17) SF – Ken MacAfee 1-yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Ray Wersching kick), 0:00 (SEA 35–24) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 13/20, 162 yds SF – Steve DeBerg: 31/40, 306 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Top rushers SEA – Dan Doornink: 19 car, 58 yds, 2 TD SF – O. J. Simpson: 15 car, 71 yds, 1 TD Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent: 4 rec, 83 yds SF – Freddie Solomon: 6 rec, 81 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 162 – 148 – 310 – 0 SF – 292 – 172 – 464 – 2

Week 7: at San Diego Chargers

Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	3	0	7	10
Chargers	7	0	7	6	20

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 14
• Game time: 1:01 pm local
• Game weather: clear, 72 °F (22 °C), 78% humidity, wind W 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
• Game attendance: 50,077
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SD – Lydell Mitchell 20-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Roy Gerela kick), 6:56 (SD 7–0) Second quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 19-yard field goal, 0:26 (SD 7–3) Third quarter SD – John Jefferson 9-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Roy Gerela kick), 3:11 (SD 14–3) Fourth quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 8-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 14:13 (SD 14–10) SD – John Jefferson 49-yard pass from Dan Fouts (PAT failed), 4:34 (SD 20–10) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 19/43, 192 yds, 1 INT SD – Dan Fouts: 28/35, 318 yds, 3 TD Top rushers SEA – Sherman Smith: 13 car, 78 yds, 1 TD SD – Clarence Williams: 17 car, 45 yds Top receivers SEA – Dan Doornink: 8 rec, 81 yds SD – John Jefferson: 9 rec, 137 yds, 2 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 147 – 133 – 280 – 1 SD – 295 – 96 – 391 – 0

Week 8: vs. Houston Oilers

Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	7	0	7	14
Seahawks	7	7	6	14	34

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: October 21
• Game time: 1:01 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 60,705
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 12-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:12 (SEA 7–0) Second quarter HOU – Mike Barber 9-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Toni Fritsch kick), 10:26 (Tied 7–7) SEA – Steve Largent 45-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:27 (SEA 14–7) Third quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 48-yard field goal, 9:24 (SEA 17–7) SEA – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal, 4:23 (SEA 20–7) Fourth quarter SEA – Steve Largent 55-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 14:50 (SEA 27–7) SEA – Cornell Webster 54-yard fumble return (Efrén Herrera kick), 12:58 (SEA 34–7) HOU – Ronnie Coleman 9-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Toni Fritsch kick), 2:48 (SEA 34–14) Top passers HOU – Dan Pastorini: 20/38, 195 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT SEA – Jim Zorn: 18/23, 252 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT Top rushers HOU – Tim Wilson: 5 car, 31 yds SEA – Sherman Smith: 10 car, 49 yds Top receivers HOU – Mike Barber: 7 rec, 81 yds, 1 TD SEA – Steve Largent: 6 rec, 135 yds, 2 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to HOU – 160 – 83 – 243 – 3 SEA – 240 – 151 – 391 – 2

Week 9: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	21	3	7	31
Falcons	7	7	0	14	28

at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta

• Date: October 29
• Game time: 9:03 pm local
• Game weather: showers, 58 °F (14 °C), 84% humidity, wind E 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 52,566
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Fran Tarkenton, and Howard Cosell
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter ATL – Lynn Cain 35-yard run (Tim Mazzetti kick), 9:51 (ATL 7–0) Second quarter ATL – Rick Byas 30-yard fumble return (Tim Mazzetti kick), 14:17 (ATL 14–0) SEA – Jim Zorn 34-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 9:25 (ATL 14–7) SEA – Sherman Smith 4-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:01 (Tied 14–14) SEA – Dan Doornink 8-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:54 (SEA 21–14) Third quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 24-yard field goal, 8:14 (SEA 24–14) Fourth quarter ATL – Billy Ryckman 17-yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Tim Mazzetti kick), 10:03 (SEA 24–21) SEA – Dan Doornink 26-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:54 (SEA 31–21) ATL – Billy Ryckman 20-yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Tim Mazzetti kick), 0:51 (SEA 31–28) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 13/25, 197 yds, 1 TD ATL – Steve Bartkowski: 16/26, 186 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers SEA – Dan Doornink: 21 car, 122 yds, 2 TD ATL – Lynn Cain: 13 car, 99 yds, 1 TD Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent: 6 rec, 127 yds ATL – Wallace Francis: 2 rec, 59 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 206 – 205 – 411 – 4 ATL – 162 – 153 – 315 – 2

Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	14	7	3	0	24
Seahawks	0	0	0	0	0

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: November 4
• Game time: 1:03 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 62,048
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (CBS): Vin Scully and George Allen
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter LA – Wendell Tyler 3-yard run (Frank Corral kick), 7:27 (LA 7–0) LA – Charle Young 1-yard pass from Pat Haden (Frank Corral kick), 3:14 (LA 14–0) Second quarter LA – Drew Hill 17-yard pass from Pat Haden (Frank Corral kick), 8:02 (LA 21–0) Third quarter LA – Frank Corral 23-yard field goal, 1:12 (LA 24–0) Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers LA – Pat Haden: 17/21, 172 yds, 2 TD SEA – Jim Zorn: 2/17, 25 yds Top rushers LA – Wendell Tyler: 18 car, 82 yds SEA – Sherman Smith: 7 car, 16 yds Top receivers LA – Preston Dennard: 5 rec, 93 yds SEA – Steve Largent: 2 rec, 25 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to LA – 172 – 303 – 475 – 1 SEA – -30 – 23 – -7 – 1

With -7 total yards and just one first down, this is the fewest yards the Seahawks have ever gained in one match. It is the most recent – and only since 1970 – occasion when an NFL team has gained just one first down for an entire match, ^[21] although the Denver Broncos did not gain a single first down in a 1966 game with the Houston Oilers.

Week 11: at Cleveland Browns

Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	9	0	13	29
Browns	0	3	14	7	24

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 1:00 pm local
• Game weather: overcast, 35 °F (2 °C), 64% humidity, wind NW 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
• Game attendance: 72,440
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 5-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 7:39 (SEA 7–0) Second quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 2-yard run (PAT failed), 13:57 (SEA 13–0) SEA – Efrén Herrera 34-yard field goal, 9:07 (SEA 16–0) CLE – Don Cockroft 28-yard field goal, 4:14 (SEA 16–3) Third quarter CLE – Mike Pruitt 65-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 14:38 (SEA 16–10) CLE – Mike Pruitt 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 4:28 (CLE 17–10) Fourth quarter SEA – Al Hunter 5-yard run (PAT failed), 14:32 (SEA 22–17) SEA – Sherman Smith 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 9:29 (SEA 29–17) CLE – Brian Sipe 3-yard run (Don Cockroft kick), 7:41 (SEA 29–24) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 15/27, 249 yds CLE – Brian Sipe: 13/29, 177 yds, 2 INT Top rushers SEA – Al Hunter: 13 car, 95 yds, 1 TD CLE – Mike Pruitt: 15 car, 141 yds, 2 TD Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent: 3 rec, 93 yds CLE – Ozzie Newsome: 3 rec, 61 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 238 – 189 – 427 – 1 CLE – 158 – 215 – 373 – 3

Week 12: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	7	7	3	7	24
Seahawks	7	17	0	14	38

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: November 18
• Game time: 1:01 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 60,055
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (CBS): Vin Scully and George Allen
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter NO – Archie Manning 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 10:13 (NO 7–0) SEA – Sam McCullum 51-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 13:57 (Tied 7–7) Second quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 27-yard field goal, 14:57 (SEA 10–7) SEA – Steve Largent 39-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 14:18 (SEA 17–7) NO – Wes Chandler 4-yard pass from Archie Manning (Garo Yepremian kick), 9:58 (SEA 17–14) SEA – Dan Doornink 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:24 (SEA 24–14) Third quarter NO – Garo Yepremian 40-yard field goal, 9:57 (SEA 24–17) Fourth quarter NO – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 8:25 (Tied 24–24) SEA – Steve Largent 35-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 6:16 (SEA 31–24) SEA – Brian Peets 5-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:06 (SEA 38–24) Top passers NO – Archie Manning: 20/27, 268 yds, 1 TD SEA – Jim Zorn: 24/33, 268 yds, 1 TD Top rushers NO – Chuck Muncie: 14 car, 72 yds, 1 TD SEA – Jeff Moore: 15 car, 65 yds Top receivers NO – Henry Childs: 6 rec, 121 yds SEA – Steve Largent: 9 rec, 146 yds, 2 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to NO – 286 – 134 – 420 – 1 SEA – 391 – 130 – 521 – 1

Week 13: vs. New York Jets

Week Thirteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	0	0	7	0	7
Seahawks	3	13	14	0	30

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: November 26
• Game time: 6:05 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 59,977
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell and Fran Tarkenton
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 49-yard field goal, 2:51 (SEA 3–0) Second quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 42-yard field goal, 8:25 (SEA 6–0) SEA – Steve Largent 14-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 6:03 (SEA 13–0) SEA – Efrén Herrera 45-yard field goal, 0:00 (SEA 16–0) Third quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 16-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:20 (SEA 23–0) NYJ – Kevin Long 5-yard run (Dave Jacobs kick), 6:49 (SEA 23–7) SEA – Sam McCullum 11-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:58 (SEA 30–7) Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers NYJ – Richard Todd: 19/36, 226 yds SEA – Jim Zorn: 25/32, 285 yds, 3 TD Top rushers NYJ – Clark Gaines: 17 car, 71 yds SEA – Sherman Smith: 14 car, 33 yds Top receivers NYJ – Jerome Barkum: 6 rec, 103 yds SEA – Sherman Smith: 8 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to NYJ – 226 – 139 – 365 – 2 SEA – 313 – 86 – 399 – 1

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	0	7	14	21
Chiefs	14	10	6	7	37

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 2
• Game time: 1:05 pm local
• Game weather: clear, 32 °F (0 °C), 40% humidity, wind S 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 42,160
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Paul Maguire
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter KC – J.T. Smith 28-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:05 (KC 7–0) KC – Ted McKnight 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:43 (KC 14–0) Second quarter KC – Earl Gant 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 14:57 (KC 21–0) KC – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal, 0:18 (KC 24–0) Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal, 11:29 (KC 27–0) SEA – Jeff Moore 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:11 (KC 27–7) KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal, 2:41 (KC 30–7) Fourth quarter KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 13:18 (KC 37–7) SEA – Dan Doornink 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:12 (KC 37–14) SEA – Jeff Moore 12-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 2:10 (KC 37–21) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 22/45, 239 yds, 3 INT KC – Steve Fuller: 10/23, 137 yds, 1 TD Top rushers SEA – Jim Zorn: 2 car, 21 yds KC – Earl Gant: 21 car, 67 yds, 1 TD Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent: 9 rec, 120 yds KC – J.T. Smith: 4 rec, 60 yds, 1 TD Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 231 – 44 – 275 – 5 KAN – 137 – 194 – 331 – 2

Week 15: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	20	3	0	23
Seahawks	7	7	7	7	28

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: December 8
• Game time: 1:02 pm local
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 60,038
• Referee: Cal Lepore
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 17-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 4:32 (SEA 7–0) Second quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 13:05 (SEA 14–0) DEN – Craig Morton 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 11:46 (SEA 14–7) DEN – Haven Moses 7-yard pass from Craig Morton (PAT failed), 5:06 (SEA 14–13) DEN – Jim Jensen 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 0:40 (DEN 20–14) Third quarter SEA – Steve Largent 35-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:22 (SEA 21–20) DEN – Jim Turner 29-yard field goal, 7:01 (DEN 23–21) Fourth quarter SEA – Steve Largent 43-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:40 (SEA 28–23) Top passers DEN – Craig Morton: 22/40, 245 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT SEA – Jim Zorn: 22/39, 308 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers DEN – Jim Jensen: 13 car, 37 yds, 1 TD SEA – Sherman Smith: 14 car, 57 yds, 2 TD Top receivers DEN – Rick Upchurch: 7 rec, 91 yds SEA – Sam McCullum: 5 rec, 102 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to DEN – 222 – 141 – 363 – 3 SEA – 308 – 74 – 382 – 2

Week 16: at Oakland Raiders

Week Sixteen: Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	10	7	9	3	29
Raiders	7	10	0	7	24

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: December 16
• Game time: 1:01 pm local
• Game weather: clear, 56 °F (13 °C), 61% humidity, wind SW 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
• Game attendance: 53,177
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
• Gamebook

Game information

First quarter OAK – Lester Hayes 30-yard interception return (Jim Breech kick), 14:08 (OAK 7–0) SEA – Sherman Smith 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:18 (Tied 7–7) SEA – Efrén Herrera 24-yard field goal, 5:15 (SEA 10–7) Second quarter OAK – Jim Breech 20-yard field goal, 14:03 (Tied 10–10) SEA – Sam McCullum 65-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 13:45 (SEA 17–10) OAK – Arthur Whittington 2-yard run (Jim Breech kick), 6:07 (Tied 17–17) Third quarter SEA – Dan Doornink 17-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:55 (SEA 24–17) SEA – Safety, ball snapped out of end zone, 7:25 (SEA 26–17) Fourth quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 43-yard field goal, 5:27 (SEA 29–17) OAK – Mark van Eeghen 2-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick), 1:18 (SEA 29–24) Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn: 23/35, 314 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT OAK – Ken Stabler: 31/47, 342 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT Top rushers SEA – Sherman Smith: 15 car, 44 yds, 1 TD OAK – Mark van Eeghen: 11 car, 38 yds Top receivers SEA – Sam McCullum: 8 rec, 173 yds, 1 TD OAK – Cliff Branch: 10 rec, 109 yds Team – pass – rush – total – to SEA – 314 – 94 – 408 – 2 OAK – 336 – 82 – 418 – 3

Awards and records

• Steve Largent, NFL Leader in Receiving Yards, (1,237)

References

1. "Home". pro-football-reference.com.
2. 1979 Seahawks Media Guide, accessed February 14, 2015.
3. 1980 Seahawks Media Guide, accessed February 14, 2015.
4. "San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks - September 2nd, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
5. "Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins - September 9th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
6. "Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks - September 16th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
7. "Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos - September 23rd, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
8. "Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks - September 30th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
9. "Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers - October 7th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
10. "Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers - October 14th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
11. "Houston Oilers at Seattle Seahawks - October 21st, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
12. "Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons - October 29th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
13. "Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks - November 4th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
14. "Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns - November 11th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
15. "New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks - November 18th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
16. "New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks - November 26th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
17. "Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs - December 2nd, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
18. "Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks - December 8th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
19. "Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders - December 16th, 1979". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
20. 1979 NFL season results, NFL.com, accessed February 14, 2015.
21. Pro Football Reference ; In a single game, from 1970 to 2018, requiring 1st Downs = 1, sorted by ascending Date

External links

• Official website
• 1979 Seattle Seahawks season at ESPN
• 1983 Seattle Seahawks season at Pro Football Reference (pro-football-reference.com)
• 1979 Seattle Seahawks Statistics at jt-sw.com
• 1979 Seattle Seahawks Schedule at jt-sw.com