With the Seahawks scheduled to make their 27th appearance on Monday Night Football, we culled through all 18 victories and eight losses, seeking to identify the most memorable games. Many were routine affairs, not worth further thought. But eight stood out, either due to outstanding individual achievements, including one by an opponent, or the improbable nature of the Seattle victory.
The eight are listed in chronological order and the first of them, nearly 35 years ago, long was considered the Seahawks’ signature prime-time performance. That may not be the case anymore, and that’s where you come in. We’d like you to choose the Monday Night game most memorable for you.
After reading the capsule descriptions of the eight, please take a moment to render your opinion in the poll.
Oct. 29, 1979 (Seahawks 31, Falcons 28): The three-year-old Seahawks, making their debut on Monday Night Football, recovered from a 14-0 deficit in Fulton County Stadium with an improbable effort. The win included a variety of trick plays, including a fake field goal attempt that turned into a 20-yard completion from quarterback Jim Zorn to kicker Efren Herrera that set up the tying touchdown. Fullback Dan Doornink kept the Falcons on their heels after that, rushing for 122 yards, and cornerback Dave Brown made a game-saving interception, but it was coach Jack Patera’s unpredictable play calling that made the Seahawks a hit locally and nationally.
Oct. 29, 1984 (Seahawks 24, Chargers 0): The Seahawks never permitted Air Coryell to get off the ground. In handing San Diego its first blanking in more than five years, the Seahawks held the Chargers to a meager 201 total yards, sacked Dan Fouts six times, two of the takedowns by Jacob Green. Safety Kenny Easley matched the franchise record with three interceptions and Steve Largent caught three touchdown passes.
Nov. 9, 1987 (Raiders 37, Seahawks 14): Kansas City Royals slugger Bo Jackson, turned Raiders running back and ran for 221 yards and three touchdowns, including a 91-yard gallop. Jackson’s most memorable play occurred in the third quarter when Seattle linebacker Brian Bosworth attempted to tackle Jackson at the Seattle two-yard line. Jackson pancaked “The Boz” so emphatically that even Seahawks fans rose from their seats, awed by the spectacle. Bosworth himself provided the best description of the play: “He freight-trained my ass.”
Nov. 28, 1988 (Seahawks 35, Raiders 27): Dave Krieg tossed a career-high five touchdown passes to five receivers and Curt Warner (130) and John L. Williams (105) became the first pair of Seahawks to each gain more than 100 yards rushing in the same game. Hampered by five turnovers and some shaky officiating, the Seahawks still controlled the ball for 38 minutes and 38 seconds, almost two-thirds of the game.
Dec. 5, 2005 (Seahawks 42, Eagles 0): The Seahawks gained only 194 yards of total offense, but didn’t need much more in one of the outstanding defensive performances in franchise history. Andre Dyson scored on a 72-yard interception return and 25-yard fumble return, and LB Lofa Tatupu took another interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Shaun Alexander continued his offensive assault, scoring his 22nd rushing touchdown, matching Priest Holmes’ NFL record for most TDs in the first 12 games of a season.
Nov. 27, 2006 (Seahawks 34, Packers 24): Dashing through a rare Seattle snow storm, Shaun Alexander ran for a season-high 201 yards and set a franchise record with 40 carries. The kickoff temperature of 34 degrees was the coldest for a Seahawks home game, and contributed to the four turnovers by Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Dec. 2, 2007 (Seahawks 28, Eagles 24): Linebacker Lofa Tatupu set up Seattle’s first two touchdowns by intercepting A.J. Feeley twice in the first quarter, and sealed a victory at Philadelphia with another pick at the Seahawks four-yard line in the final minute. “Tatupu had one of the great games I’ve ever seen a linebacker have,” Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said.
Sept. 24, 2012 (Seahawks 14, Packers 12): Seattle defeated Green Bay with a disputed, game-winning “Fail Mary” pass from Russell Wilson to Golden Tate, who shoved a Packers defender out of the way and wrestled another for the ball in the corner of the end zone. Ruled a simultaneous reception, Tate received “discredit” for the TD, called on the field by replacement referees and upheld after a booth review. Tate’s catch overshadowed eight sacks by the Seahawks on Aaron Rodgers, including four by Chris Clemons in the first half that tied the NFL record.
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4 Comments
Tate’s TD and Boz getting bowled over by Bo are truly memorable but the first was the best and put the Seahawks on the NFL map. I remember Cosell going nuts and the idea of Efren catching a pass.
Right on. I knew the game from last year would get the most votes simply because all too many voters don’t remember the ’79 game.
JAfa ~ That was indeed a great game!
Even though it is a bad memory from The Hawks perspective gotta go with the Bo game, his TD run is iconic