Green Bay Packers 48 – Seattle Seahawks 10
I never truly believed it was going to be a good game. For the first two drives, the game toyed with me, threatening to get my hopes up before dashing them on the rocks of reality.
Seattle’s defense held Green Bay’s offense, described by Brian Billick as a fast starter, to a three and out despite a penalty on Brandon Mebane for being off sides on the first play. Seattle’s offense drove the ball down the field with the running game. Seven runs on the first eight plays got the Seahawks to mid field.
That’s when the wheels came off and became my turning point of the game. Hasselbeck rolled to his right, avoiding what appeared to be a mosh pit where the pocket should be, and looked to fire a short pass to the flat. Unfortunately the only player in the area was Packer linebacker A.J. Hawk who took the worst looking interception of the year and ran a good 30 yards with it.
I’ve watched the play several times and although I don’t know exactly what happened I believe Hasselbeck was expecting a running back to be in the area. When he realized no one was there, he tried to stop his throwing motion but being Green Bay, the ball slipped right out his hand and into Hawk’s. If you watch Hasselbeck’s arm, you can see about halfway through his throwing motion where he tried to stop it but like the self destruct button in a James Bond movie, it was already too late by that time.
From then on, things went downhill in a hurry although not without an early fight. Hasselbeck led his team back down the field after Green Bay scored a touchdown on his turnover. Matt found T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the end zone on a quick slant. The ball was tipped at the line but was on target. Unfortunately the target slipped and the ball ended up in Packers safety Atari Bigby’s hands.
Article comments
1 - Baronius
If you're looking for a good quarterback coach, I think Jim Zorn will be available.