The 2013 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 38th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coachPete Carroll. With the Seahawks tenth win in the eleventh week of the season, the team secured double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Their 13–3 regular season record is tied with the 2005 season for the best in franchise history. Seattle's defense in 2013 is regarded by many to be one of the best in NFL history.[1]
The Seahawks clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with their 13–3 record. The Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints 23–15 in the Divisional round and the San Francisco 49ers 23–17 in the NFC Championship. In Super Bowl XLVIII, they defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 for their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.[2] Of Seattle's thirteen wins, eight of them were decided by eleven points or more, with their season-best margin being a 45–17 win against the Jaguars. There were eight instances of the Seahawks allowing two touchdowns or fewer. The Seahawks allowed just 14.4 points per game in the regular season, a team record still standing today. The defense led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39), the first team to lead all three categories since the 1985 Chicago Bears.[3] The Seahawks finished the season with a point differential of +186, a team record still standing today.
The 2013 Seahawks rank #18 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[4][5]
^[b] The Seahawks traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' second-, fifth- and sixth- round selections — Nos. 62, 165 and 199 overall. The latter two selections were traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the Lions' fifth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
^[c] The Seahawks acquired this fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent linebacker Aaron Curry to the Oakland Raiders.
↑ Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
↑ Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
Game summaries
Preseason
Week P1: at San Diego Chargers
Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers– Game summary
The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their 2013 campaign with a hard-fought, ugly win over the Carolina Panthers, 12–7. This game marked Russell Wilson's first 300-yard passing game, and Cam Newton's worst career performance, posting 125 yards through the air, a career low.
The first quarter was scoreless, with both sides exchanging a couple of punts. On their third possession of the game, in the second quarter, Seattle drove into the red zone, capping it with a Stephen Hauschka 27-yard field goal. Carolina responded immediately, taking advantage of a couple of Seattle penalties and some big runs by DeAngelo Williams. Cam Newton hit Steve Smith for a 3-yard TD. Seattle responded with a drive to around the Carolina 27 yard line, but Charles Godfrey sacked Russell Wilson and stripped the football, which Carolina recovered. So the first half ended 7–3, in favor of Carolina.
The second half began with a defensive battle. Hauschka made a 40-yard field goal, after a drive that lasted over 4 minutes, cutting the lead to 7–6. After forcing Carolina to punt midway through the fourth quarter, Seattle's offense produced its finest drive of the day. A couple of Russell Wilson passes, followed by a Robert Turbin 15-yard scamper, set up Seattle at the Panthers' 43 yard line. Russell Wilson overthrew receiver Stephen Williams on first down, but on second down and 10, using exactly the same play, Wilson connected with second-year man Jermaine Kearse for a 43-yard score, with 10 minutes left to play. They failed on the two-point conversion however, so Seattle clung to a 12–7 lead. DeAngelo Williams made some big runs. Inside the Seattle 35 yard line, Williams took off for 24 yards and looked like he was going to score, but Earl Thomas caused him to fumble inside the 10 yard line.
Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Two: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
In week 2, the Seahawks took on their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to the season, NFL analysts[who?] rated this rivalry as the top upcoming rivalry, as well as the top rivalry of the decade. Both teams proved that point, when they had an arms race in the off-season, Seattle picking up Percy Harvin and San Francisco picking Anquan Boldin in the off-season, among others. Last season, the teams were 1–1 against each other, Seattle being the better team, as they blew out the Niners 42–13 in the last meeting in Seattle, coincidentally, also on Sunday Night Football. It was also a day that Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick appeared to bet an eyebrow, with the loser shaving his eyebrow; this was later revealed to be a publicity stunt.[7] Finally, it was a day where former Seahawk Shaun Alexander would raise the 12th man flag.
The game began quietly though, as both sides failed to establish a rhythm. The game was delayed midway through the first quarter due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the second such case in the 2013 season (Ravens-Broncos kickoff game in week 1 was the first). After getting back onto the field, the 49ers blocked a Seahawks punt and got the ball in Seattle territory. However, Seattle claimed a whistle was heard from the crowd, which confused the linemen and the punter. That claim was later justified by NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth. The Niners took advantage and drove to the Seattle 10-yard line. However, on third down, Earl Thomas intercepted a Colin Kaepernick pass, and Seattle regained possession. A few plays later, Russell Wilson was intercepted by rookie Eric Reid, and the tug of war continued into the second quarter.
All was quiet until midway through the second quarter, where fullback Bruce Miller was caught holding in the endzone, the result of which was a safety, and a Seattle 2–0 lead. Later on, defensive end Cliff Avril strip sacked Kaepernick and K. J. Wright recovered for Seattle, the result of which was a Stephen Hauschka 30-yard field goal. Halftime came with a small 5–0 Seahawks lead. The game was pretty dark and messy at that point, the only bright side being Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks came out roaring. On third and 12, Wilson connected with receiver Doug Baldwin for a 51-yard gain to inside the 49ers 25 yard line. A few plays later, Lynch took it to the house on a 14-yard run, 12–0 Seattle. The 49ers responded with a drive to the Seattle 6-yard line, capped off by Phil Dawson 21-yard field goal, that included a 28-yard scramble by Kaepernick, 12–3 Seahawks. However, that would be it for the Niners, and the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks demolished the Niners on all phases of play. It started with Wilson hitting Lynch for a 7-yard score on third down. A few plays into the Niners next drive, Kaepernick was intercepted by Richard Sherman, who took it to the 49ers 25-yard line. That resulted in a 37-yard Hauschka field goal. On the ensuing Niners drive, Kaepernick was intercepted again, this time by safety Kam Chancellor, who had signed a contract extension earlier in the year. Lynch scored on a 2-yard run on the next play. Seattle led 29–3. The 49ers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Seattle recovered.
Seattle won, in convincing style, silencing any critics. The 12th man also broke a Guinness world record, for the loudest outdoor stadium. Yet again, Seattle dominated on SNF, and Pete Carroll improved to 3–4 overall against the Niners, and 2–3 against bitter rival Jim Harbaugh. Seattle was now 2–0, and still unbeaten at home.
Week 3: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Three: Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
The Seahawks entered week 3 on top of the NFC to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars who were on the opposite end of the AFC. This game did not garner much attention, considering the fact that it was a "best vs worst" game. However, that didn't change Seattle's positive "1–0" mentality to the game.
Seattle opened up the game with a punt. After forcing a Jacksonville three and out, on a drive which included a Clinton McDonald sack, Russell Wilson marched the Seahawks right down the field, on a drive that included a 27-yard run by Marshawn Lynch, and on third and goal from the 1-yard line, hit tight end Zach Miller for a touchdown, and an early 7–0 lead.
Picking up from where they left off in the first quarter, Seattle took their first drive of the second quarter, where Wilson connected with Miller for a 4-yard touchdown pass, the duo's second of the day. After a Stephen Hauschka 21-yard field goal on the next drive, the game got quiet until the Jaguars final drive of the half, where Chad Henne was intercepted by linebacker Bobby Wagner, with under a minute left to play. Wilson then made some beautiful completions to receivers Golden Tate and Sidney Rice in lightning fast succession, the latter of whom caught an 11-yard pass for a touchdown with 10 seconds left on the clock, to send Seattle up 24–0 at the half.
On the Seahawks first drive of the second half, they picked up were they left off, as Wilson hit rice for a 23-yard score, marking Wilson's fourth TD pass of the day, tying a career-high, and putting the Hawks up 31–0. On the ensuing drive, however, Wilson was picked off by linebacker Paul Posluszny, who returned it to the Seattle 2-yard line, where Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew punched it in on the next play, 31–7 Seattle. That was the last time Wilson touched the ball. Backup Tarvaris Jackson took over and drove Seattle to the Jaguars 35-yard line, not missing a single completion on the drive. He then threw a TD pass to Doug Baldwin, adding to the lead, 38–7 Seattle.
Seattle then shut its system off, which allowed Henne to hit receiver Cecil Shorts III for a couple of long completions on the Jaguars next couple of drives, racking up 10 points, including a fourth-quarter run by Jordan Todman, his first career TD, 38–17 Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks downfield, scoring on a 5-yard scramble, re-establishing a big lead, 45–17.
Seattle started 3–0 for the first time since 2006, and the first time in the Pete Carroll era. Seattle is still unbeaten at home, with a 10–0 record including last year.
Week 4: at Houston Texans
Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans– Game summary
The Seahawks led 3–0 after the first quarter, but the Texans scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter, building a 20–3 halftime lead. However, the Seahawks outscored the Texans 17–0 in the third and fourth quarters. With less than three minutes to go, and the Texans leading 20–13, Matt Schaub's pass on 3rd down was picked off by Richard Sherman and returned 58 yards for a pick six, allowing the Seahawks to tie the game and force overtime. The Seahawks would go on to win the game in overtime by a final score of 23–20. With the win, the Seahawks would open the season with a 4–0 record for the first time in franchise history.
Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts– Game summary
This would be the first meeting between quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck, who were both selected in the 2012 NFL draft. Though Wilson and the Seahawks maintained a lead throughout the first three quarters, Luck led the Colts back, taking the lead and never letting go in the 4th. It would be the first loss for the Seahawks in the season, dropping their record to 4–1. The Colts punted and the Seahawks drove down the field and scored a field goal to go up 3–0. After another Indy three-and-out, Russell Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate to take a 10–0 lead. Then another Indy punt was blocked and bounced out of the endzone to extend the lead to 12–0. Seattle punted to Indy when Andrew Luck threw a 73-yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton to make the score 12–7. Seattle drove into field goal range but a 48-yard field goal was blocked and returned for a touchdown by the Colts. Indy led 14–12 until Wilson found Jermaine Kearse to give Seattle a 19–14 lead. Luck led the Colts downfield and they kicked a field goal to make it 19–17 at the half. Seattle kicked another field goal to make it 22–17. Indianapolis fumbled and led to a 25–17 Seahawks lead. Luck then found Hilton in the endzone but the two-point-conversion failed leaving the score at 25–23. Seattle then kicked a 4th field goal to extend their lead to 28–23. Indy scored a touchdown to make it 31–28 and then a field goal to make it 34–28 final.
Week 6: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Six: Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
Following their loss to the Colts, the Seahawks returned to CenturyLink field to host the Tennessee Titans. The Seahawks allowed a field goal from Titans kicker Rob Bironas, but a second quarter touchdown from running back Marshawn Lynch caused the Seahawks to retake the lead. The Seahawks attempted to extend their lead at the end of the quarter with a field goal. With their kicker Stephen Hauschka in the locker room with a potential injury, usual holder Jon Ryan filled in the kicker position, and reserve safety Chris Maragos was asked to hold the ball for the field goal attempt. Maragos however fumbled the snap, which was recovered by Titans special teamer Jason McCourty and run back 77 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks then entered halftime behind 7–10.
During the 3rd quarter, the Seahawks held the Titans scoreless while scoring a field goal of their own, tying the game. An additional field goal during the 4th put the Seahawks ahead again. On the first play of the next drive, Fitzpatrick threw an interception to Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. The Seahawks capitalized by with another touchdown from Lynch. The Seahawks would only allow another field goal from the Titans, and the win brought their record to 5–1.
Week 7: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals– Game summary
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 14–9 in a Monday Night Football thriller. The Rams were successful at limiting the Seahawks offense, holding running back Marshawn Lynch to a season low of only 23 yards and sacking quarterback Russell Wilson seven times. After holding the Rams to a field goal in the first quarter, the Seahawks went ahead with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate.
The Rams responded in the third quarter with another field goal, cutting down the Seahawks' lead to 1. After an incomplete pass to Jermaine Kearse on the first play of the next drive, Wilson threw an 80-yard touchdown to Golden Tate. It was the longest play of either player's career. On his way towards the end zone, Tate turned and sarcastically waved towards Rams safety Rodney McLeod. Though the touchdown would count, the Seahawks would be penalized for taunting during the kickoff. Carroll chastised Tate after the penalty occurred, and Tate was fined $7,875 after the game.
After the Seahawks allowed an additional Rams field goal, the game came down to the final drive. The Rams, in possession of the ball with 5:42 left in the game, managed to drive the ball all the way to the 6 yard line with less than 1:20 left on the clock. A missed throw from Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens and a 4-yard run from Rams running back Daryl Richardson allowed the Rams a 3rd and Goal at the 2-yard line, but a defensive offsides call on Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons cut the distance in half. The Seahawks stopped an additional run from Richardson, and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher called a timeout with only 4 seconds left in the game. Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner successfully defended Clemens's final pass towards Brian Quick, sealing the Seahawks victory and bringing their record to 7–1.
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
The top-ranked Seahawks hosted the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what many believed would be a blowout. However, the Buccaneers marched to a 21–0 lead during the 2nd quarter, which included a trick play from running back Mike James. Despite giving up a field goal later in the game, the Seahawks came roaring back, tying the game during the fourth quarter and forcing overtime. The Seahawks narrowly avoided a loss with a 27-yard field goal from Stephen Hauschka.
Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons– Game summary
This was a rematch of the NFC Divisional matchup from the 2012 postseason. The Seahawks jumped out to a 23–3 halftime lead and never looked back, routing the Falcons 33–10. The Seahawks won their fifth consecutive game as their record improved to 9–1.
Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week Eleven: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
At the beginning of this game, Doug Baldwin flew the Philippines flag in memory of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Free agent signee Percy Harvin saw his first minutes of playing time of the season during the game, incidentally against the team that drafted him. He would catch one pass for 17 yards and return one kickoff for 58 yards. The Seahawks entered the bye week with a 10–1 record, the best in the NFL at the time.
Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Thirteen: New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
The Seahawks dominated from start to finish, routing the Saints 34–7. The Seahawks won their 7th consecutive game as their record improved to 11–1. They became the first team to clinch a berth for the 2013 postseason.
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers– Game summary
In week 14 the Seahawks traveled out of their stadium to San Francisco where they took a loss to the 49ers. Russell Wilson was intercepted to end the game and continued the Seahawks' losing streak in Candlestick Park in which they last won in 2008. It was their last appearance at Candlestick Park, as the 49ers moved to Levi's Stadium for the 2014 season.
With the loss, the Seahawks' record dropped into 11–2. This would be the last time they lost to the 49ers until 2018.
Week 15: at New York Giants
Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants– Game summary
In what many pundits dubbed a "Super Bowl dress rehearsal", the Seahawks faced the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, where the Super Bowl would be held at the end of the season.[8][9] The Legion of Boom intercepted Giants quarterback Eli Manning five times and held the team scoreless throughout the entire game.
Week 16: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Sixteen: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
In Seattle's first loss at home since the 2011 season, the team record dropped to 12–3. Amazingly, this would also be Russell Wilson's first home loss in football since his college season with North Carolina State University.
Week 17: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Seventeen: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
With the win, the Seahawks' record improved to 13–3 as they clinched the NFC West and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs as the #1 seed.[10][11][12]
This was the Seahawks' first conference Championship game appearance since 2005 and only the third ever for the franchise, after 2005 and 1983. The Seahawks overcame a 10–3 deficit at the end of the half and finished strong, outscoring San Francisco 20–7 in the 2nd half. With Seattle leading 20–17 in the 4th quarter, Colin Kaepernick tried to rally his team, but fumbled once and threw 2 interceptions in the final three drives in the game for San Francisco. In the fourth quarter, NaVorro Bowman suffered a major knee injury on a tackle and forced fumble near the goal line, but the 49ers forced another fumble on the next play on 4th down. On the second play following fumble recovery, Kaepernick threw an interception to Kam Chancellor. Kaepernick again had the 49ers in position to try for a win, but his pass to Michael Crabtree in the end zone was deflected by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith, locking up the win for Seattle.
In dominating fashion, the Seahawks would win their first championship in the history of the franchise. This was also the first football team since the 1990 Buffalo Bills to not have any players on the roster with Super Bowl experience.[13] It was Seattle's first major championship in 35 years since the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics.[14] Linebacker Malcolm Smith would end up earning the Super Bowl MVP award for his 69-yard interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 tackles.[15]
Related Research Articles
The 2005 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 30th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing their home games at Qwest Field and their seventh season under head coach Mike Holmgren. They won the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship Game and played in Super Bowl XL, which they lost 21–10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks compiled a 13–3 record in the regular season, easily winning the NFC West and earning the NFC top seed, thus clinching home field advantage in the NFC playoffs for the first time in franchise history. There, they beat the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers to win the George Halas Trophy, and advance to their first ever Super Bowl. Combining the regular season and postseason, the Seahawks finished with a perfect 10–0 record at Qwest Field. The 2005 team was widely considered the best team in club history until the Super Bowl XLVIII championship. The 2005 season was also the team's 30th anniversary season in the NFL. The Seahawks were the only NFC team from the 2004 playoffs to qualify for the 2005 playoffs.
The 2006 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 31st season in the National Football League (NFL), fifth season playing at Qwest Field, and eighth under head coach Mike Holmgren. The season began with the team attempting to improve on their 13–3 record from 2005, repeat as National Football Conference (NFC) champions, and return to the Super Bowl. The team, while winning their NFC West division, only advanced as far as the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs, losing to the eventual NFC champion Chicago Bears in overtime.
The 2007 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL), sixth season in Qwest Field and the ninth under head coach Mike Holmgren. The team improved on their 9–7 record in 2006 and secured its fourth consecutive NFC West division title and its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Also, the team set an NFL record for the fewest penalties since the NFL expanded to a 16-game season, with 59. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Washington Redskins in the wild card round, but fell to Holmgren’s former team, the Green Bay Packers, in the divisional round.
The 2004 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 29th season in the National Football League (NFL), the third season in Qwest Field and the 6th under head coach Mike Holmgren. Finishing the season at 9–7, the Seahawks were unable to replicate the year they had prior.
The 2003 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 28th season in the National Football League (NFL), the second season in Seahawks Stadium and the 5th under head coach Mike Holmgren. After going 31–33 in his first four years as head coach, the Seahawks went undefeated at home for the first time in franchise history and improved to 10–6, thus making the NFC playoffs as a wild card team, the first of fifteen playoff appearances over the next twenty seasons, and their first playoff berth since 1999. However, the team fell 33–27 to the Green Bay Packers in the opening round due to an interception returned for a touchdown by Green Bay's Al Harris in overtime. Following the season, Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle retired after 14 seasons.
The 2002 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 27th season in the National Football League (NFL), the first season in Seahawks Stadium and the fourth under head coach Mike Holmgren. The Seahawks returned to the NFC West for the first time since their inaugural season of 1976, as part of the realignment that occurred when the Houston Texans joined the NFL as the 32nd team. The new stadium was constructed on the same site of their former stadium, the Kingdome.
The 2001 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 26th season in the National Football League (NFL), The second of two seasons the Seahawks played at Husky Stadium while Qwest Field was being built and the third under head coach Mike Holmgren. They improved on their 6–10 record from 2000 and finished the season at 9–7. The Seahawks were in the playoff hunt until the last game of the season; the Baltimore Ravens' win over the Minnesota Vikings on the last Monday Night game of the year ended Seattle's post-season bid. The 2001 season was the final season for the Seahawks in the American Football Conference (AFC).
The 1999 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 24th season in the National Football League (NFL), the last playing their home games at the Kingdome and the first under head coach Mike Holmgren. It was also the first season that Seattle made the playoffs in eleven seasons. It would be Seattle's last playoff appearance as an American Football Conference (AFC) team. They would not return to the playoffs until 2003, after being moved to the National Football Conference (NFC).
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.
The 1978 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's third season in the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks won nine games, giving the franchise its first winning season. Coach Jack Patera won the National Football League Coach of the Year Award at seasons end.
The 1976 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 1st in the National Football League (NFL), This season was also the team's only one in the NFC until the league realigned divisions before the 2002 season, at which point the Seahawks were once again placed in the NFC West. The Seahawks obtained a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee from the Houston Oilers, who had drafted receiver Steve Largent in the 4th round in 1976. Largent would go on to be a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame wide receiver, playing in seven Pro Bowls, recorded over 13,000 receiving yards and score 100 touchdowns in a 14-year career with the Seahawks.
The 2008 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 33rd season in the National Football League (NFL), the seventh season in Qwest Field, and the tenth and final under head coach Mike Holmgren. The Seahawks' streak of four consecutive NFC West divisional championships was broken, as they fell to a 4–12 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 8th playing their home games at Qwest Field and the first and only season under head coach Jim Mora. The Seahawks slightly improved from their 4–12 record and a third-place finish in what was Mike Holmgren's final season coaching the team in 2008 and finished with a 5–11 record. However, Mora was fired January 8, 2010.
The 2011 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 36th in the National Football League (NFL), their 10th playing their home games at CenturyLink Field and the second under head coach Pete Carroll. It was the first season in over a decade in which the Seahawks came into the season with a new starting quarterback, as incumbent Matt Hasselbeck left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Seahawks equaled their 7–9 record in 2010, but failed to defend their NFC West division title and missed the playoffs. This year was notable for the emergence of the Legion of Boom defensive group.
The 2012 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 37th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks had a three-way quarterback competition with Tarvaris Jackson, Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson. Jackson was traded to the Bills, and Wilson won the job.
The 2013 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 64th in the National Football League (NFL), 68th overall and third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke. This marked the first season since 2004 that quarterback Alex Smith was not on the roster as he joined the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the 49ers' final season playing their home games at Candlestick Park before moving into Levi's Stadium for the 2014 season.
The 2014 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 65th in the National Football League (NFL), the 69th overall, and the fourth and final under the head coach/general manager tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke. It also marked the 49ers' inaugural season playing their home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The 2014 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 39th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fifth under head coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks started the season as the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time in franchise history.
The 2015 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 96th in the National Football League (NFL), their 117th overall, their 28th in Arizona, their 10th playing home games at University of Phoenix Stadium and their third under head coach Bruce Arians. The Cardinals clinched their first NFC West title since 2009, in addition to the first 13-win season in franchise history. They also clinched a first round bye for the first time in franchise history.
The 2015 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 40th in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth under head coach Pete Carroll.
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