Seattle Seahawks

Lore & Background

The Seahawks built a 17–0 lead in the first half, capitalizing on two interceptions thrown by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu returned an interception 22 yards to set up a field goal, and safety Marquand Manuel returned another 32 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Shaun Alexander. The Panthers cut the lead to 17–7 on Steve Smith's 59-yard punt return for a touchdown, but Seattle answered with 17 unanswered points, including a 39-yard field goal by Josh Brown, a 20-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Darrell Jackson, and Alexander's second touchdown run. Carolina scored a late 47-yard touchdown pass from Delhomme to Drew Carter, but the final score was 34–14. The Seahawks' defense held the Panthers to only 36 rushing yards and forced four turnovers.

In Their Own Story

Midway through the first quarter, the Seahawks drove 57 yards in five plays, featuring a 28-yard reception by Seneca Wallace, and scored with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's 17-yard touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens. Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, linebacker Lofa Tatupu intercepted a pass from Jake Delhomme and returned it 22 yards to the Panthers 20-yard line, setting up a field goal from Josh Brown. The next time Carolina got the ball, Delhomme was intercepted again, this time by Marquand Manuel, who returned it 32 yards to the Panthers 17-yard line, setting up Alexander's 1-yard touchdown run that increased Seattle's lead to 17–0 on the first play of the second quarter. The Panthers eventually cut the score to 17–7 on Steve Smith's 59-yard punt return for a touchdown with 9:56 left in the first half. The Seahawks scored another 17 unanswered points, including a 39-yard field goal from Brown, a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to Darrell Jackson, and Alexander's second touchdown. Carolina responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Delhomme to receiver Drew Carter, cutting the score to 34–14, but by then there was only 5 minutes left in the game.

Reader's Guide

The Panthers and Seahawks have met in the playoffs only once, in the 2005 NFC Championship Game. That game was played at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Seahawks forced four turnovers, allowed only 36 rushing yards, and held the Panthers to 14 points. Shaun Alexander rushed for a franchise playoff record 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Panthers' running game, which had been effective in earlier playoff wins, was crippled after losing running back DeShaun Foster to a broken ankle in the Divisional Round against the Bears. The Panthers' only touchdown in the championship game came on a 59-yard punt return by Steve Smith, who also caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme late in the fourth quarter. The loss ended Carolina's season at 11–5.

Did You Know?

• The Seahawks forced four turnovers in the 2005 NFC Championship Game, including two interceptions of Jake Delhomme that led to 10 points.
• Shaun Alexander rushed for a franchise playoff record 134 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game.
• The Panthers were held to only 36 rushing yards in the 2005 NFC Championship Game.
• Steve Smith scored the Panthers' first touchdown on a 59-yard punt return in the second quarter.
• The Seahawks advanced to their first Super Bowl trip in the team's 30-year history after defeating the Panthers 34–14.