|
TCWho?
The real champion of the underdogs is Matt “looks like the manager at Radio Shack, only taller” Hasselbeck and the now 8-9 Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle’s 41-36 victory over the former champions was nothing more than a farce, and as a fan I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Maybe this win is a sign that Pete Carroll—with the blood of the USC football program still on his hands—and the Seahawks have all bought into the high-energy style that helped propel USC to the top of college football, well, that and numerous NCAA violations.
There was more to this win than a collective spirit of nothing-to-lose and limitless energy. Pete Carroll did not single-handedly inspire this team; although his tactics certainly played a large part in what this team accomplished.
The beautiful thing about what Seattle did on Saturday was that it reminded us that the most dangerous weapon on the football field is a team with something to prove. There is perhaps no feeling that can will a team to win more than a feeling of disrespect.
Since the second week of the season, there was no doubt in the sporting world that the winner of the NFC West was not going to belong in the playoffs. The Rams and Seahawks jockeyed for the position of “worst team to ever make the playoffs” the entire season. Throughout the season, Seattle knew that their success would ultimately be deemed a failure.
On The Onion website there was a story explaining how New Orleans had earned a first round bye since they drew Seattle in round one.
Las Vegas opened the point spread by favoring New Orleans by 10 and a half points at Seattle.
Countless commentators joked about the Seahawks deciding between Charlie Whitehurst and a washed-up Matt Hasselbeck for the starting quarterback position.
The NFL began discussing the implementation of a rule that would require a team to have at least an 8-8 record to make the playoffs.
Seattle’s best receiver was a well-known head case that had been out of football for two years.
Seattle’s best running back was a well-known head case that vanished in Buffalo.
The 7-9 Seattle Seahawks could not beat the New Orleans Saints.
However, Seattle’s washed up quarterback threw four touchdowns, one of which went to former head case Mike Williams and another to 34 year-old Brandon Stokley. Meanwhile, Marshawn Lynch ran for 131 yards including the game-sealing touchdown, when he broke eight tackles and vaulted himself into a permanent place with NFL playoff highlights.
Finally, Pete Carroll coached an incredible game; the same Pete Carroll who floundered in his first attempt to coach in the NFL and who left the USC program in shambles.
Seattle was the most dangerous team during wildcard weekend, and they made a huge statement for the NFL. A team with something to prove is a team no one should want to play.
However, for me, 7-9 Seattle meant something more. Last semester, I wrote a satirical piece diagramming who could win the NFC West.
I desperately hoped that the division would be won with a losing record, and having my wish granted made the season for me.
When the Seahawks made the playoffs, Pete Carroll said that he thought it was “pretty cool” that they were the first team to make the playoffs without a winning record.
I have one last request of the Seahawks and that is for Pete Carroll to stand at the pre-game press conference this week and tell the reporters with a straight face that this is a big game for them because it gives their team a shot to get back to .500 on the season.
|
