The2010 season was theSeattle Seahawks' 35th in theNational Football League (NFL), their ninth playing home games atQwest Field and their first under head coachPete Carroll afterJim Mora was fired on January 8, 2010.^[1] The team exceeded their win total from2009 and won theNFC West with a 7–9 record, and made the playoffs for the first time since2007. They became the first team in a full season to finish with a sub-.500 record and make the playoffs, a berth which was by virtue of winning the division. The 2010 Seahawks also became the first sub-.500 team to win a playoff game with their home win against the defendingSuper Bowl championNew Orleans Saints remembered as theBeast Quake game, but then had their season ended by the second-seededChicago Bears in the divisional round.

Statistics websiteFootball Outsiders calculated that the 2010 Seahawks were the worst team that they had ever rated to qualify for the playoffs.^[2]

General managerTim Ruskell resigned from his position two weeks before the 2009 regular season ended. Interim GMRuston Webster took over until the season ended, but was not retained as GM. However, Webster left the team for a similar position for theTennessee Titans instead.^[3]

Surprisingly, the head coaching vacancy created by Mora's departure was actually filled first by the Seahawks throughPete Carroll. Seahawks CEOTod Leiweke suggested that Carroll and the GM would have a "collaborative relationship" over control of the team.

Among candidates interviewed for GM were formerTennessee Titans General ManagerFloyd Reese andNew York Giants scouting director Marc Ross. On January 19, 2010, the Seahawks officially signedGreen Bay Packers director of football operationsJohn Schneider as their official General Manager.^[4]

Following a disastrous 5–11 season in his first season with the Seahawks,Jim Mora was fired on January 8, 2010.^[6] Mora was apparently surprised and disappointed about the news, but Seahawks CEOTod Leiweke stated that the franchise was moving to a new direction to become successful.^[1]

Within days after Mora was relieved as Head Coach, the Seahawks began to interview candidates such asUSC Trojans football head coachPete Carroll,Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinatorLeslie Frazier andSan Diego Chargers defensive coordinatorRon Rivera. Controversy arose when news broke out that Carroll was in preliminary agreements to sign a contract as head coach and have full control of the franchise when neither Frazier nor Rivera were interviewed, thus potentially breaking theRooney Rule, however Frazier agreed to an interview before the Seahawks signed Carroll as coach, thus fulfilling the rule.^[7] Two days later, Carroll officially became the 8th head coach in franchise history.^[8]

Within days after Carroll was hired, the rest of the coaching staff was revamped. With the exceptions ofGus Bradley andDan Quinn, none of the coaches from Mora's tenure returned.^[9] USC Football offensive coordinatorJeremy Bates joined as the Seahawks offensive coordinator, whileAlex Gibbs from theHouston Texans would serve as offensive line coach and assistant head coach.^[10] Weeks before the start of the NFL regular season, however, Gibbs would suddenly retire from the position, with Carroll's former USC assistantPat Ruel taking his spot.^[11]

Wide receiverNate Burleson, after a four-year stint with the Seahawks, signed with theDetroit Lions on March 5, 2010, after 24 hours of free agency.^[12] Backup quarterbackSeneca Wallace, known for his versatility as a wide receiver, was sent to theCleveland Browns on March 8, 2010 in exchange for a conditional 2011 NFL Draft pick.

GuardRob Sims, who started regularly for the Seahawks for the past four years, was traded to the Lions in exchange for defensive endRobert Henderson and a fifth-round pick in the2010 NFL draft.^[13] Veteran defensive EndDarryl Tapp was also traded to thePhiladelphia Eagles in exchange forChris Clemons and a fourth-round pick.^[14]

On April 13, 2010,Defensive endPatrick Kerney announced his retirement after 11 NFL seasons. Kerney made thePro Bowl in 2007 and led the team in sacks on two occasions (2007 and 2009).^[15] On April 29, 2010, Four-time All-Pro Left TackleWalter Jones also announced his retirement after a 13-year career during which he became a cornerstone of the Seattle Seahawks organization.^[16]

During training camp, the Seahawks continued to cut ties with many players. Former first-round pickLawrence Jackson, who Carroll coached with at USC, was traded to theDetroit Lions for a sixth-round pick.^[17] The previous year's starters including fullbackOwen Schmitt and wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh were released from the team.^[18] Defensive backJosh Wilson was traded to Baltimore for a conditional fifth-round pick.^[19]

FormerSan Diego Chargers quarterbackCharlie Whitehurst was acquired by Seattle on March 18, 2010. Whitehurst competed for the starting job withMatt Hasselbeck.^[20] Also, the Seahawks acquired defensive endsChris Clemons andRobert Henderson respectively from theEagles andLions. Wide receiverReggie Williams, a former first-round pick with theJacksonville Jaguars and a formerWashington Huskies standout, signed with the Seahawks on April 16, 2010.^[21]

On the last day of the2010 NFL draft, the Seahawks acquiredrunning backLenDale White anddefensive tackleKevin Vickerson from theTennessee Titans.^[22] With the trade, White would have been reunited with his college coach Pete Carroll from USC, but was cut on May 28. Also, theNew York Jets traded former Pro BowlerLeon Washington to Seattle.^[23]

After finishing the 2009 season with a record of 5–11, the Seahawks held the 6th overall pick in the2010 NFL draft. They also held the 14th overall pick as a result of a trade in the2009 NFL draft that gave their second-round pick 2009 to theDenver Broncos for their first-round pick in 2010. The Seahawks traded their third-round pick to thePhiladelphia Eagles as part of a trade from the 2009 draft and gave up their second-round pick in the Charlie Whitehurst deal but also received another second-round pick from theSan Diego Chargers

Divisional matchups: the NFC West played the NFC South and the AFC West.

Bold indicates division opponents.

Source: 2010 NFL season results^[24]

The Seahawks began their season at home for an NFC West rivalry against theSan Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, Seattle trailed early when 49ers kickerJoe Nedney made a 23-yard field goal, which was extended in the second quarter when Nedney made another 23-yard field goal. Then, the Seahawks fought back and took the lead when quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck got a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by him making a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDeon Butler. In the third quarter, Seattle continued to dominate when cornerbackMarcus Trufant returned an interception and ran 32 yards for a touchdown. This was followed by Hasselbeck's 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDeion Branch. In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks scored again when kickerOlindo Mare made a 35-yard field goal.

With the win, Seattle began the season at 1–0.

Coming off an easy win over the 49ers, the Seahawks flew toINVESCO Field at Mile High for an interconference duel with their former division rival, the Broncos. In the first quarter Seattle trailed early as quarterbackKyle Orton made a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverEddie Royal, followed in the second quarter by running backCorrell Buckhalter getting a 1-yard touchdown run. Then kickerMatt Prater made a 20-yard field goal to put the Broncos up 17–0. In the third quarter Seattle tried to cut the lead when quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBen Obomanu, but Denver scored with running backKnowshon Moreno getting a 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter Seattle fell further behind when Orton found wide receiverDemaryius Thomas on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Seattle would make the final score of the game when Hasselbeck scrambled 20 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 1–1.

The Seahawks' third game was played at home ground when they played their former division rival, theSan Diego Chargers. In the second quarter Seattle took the early lead when kickerOlindo Mare made a 23-yard field goal. Then quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight endJohn Carlson. This was followed in the third quarter by running backLeon Washington returning a kickoff 101 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. The lead was broken down with quarterbackPhilip Rivers getting a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMalcolm Floyd, followed by Hasselbeck getting sacked by linebackerBrandon Siler in the endzone for a safety. Then kickerNate Kaeding made a 29-yard field goal. The Seahawks increased their lead when Mare made a 23-yard field goal, but the Chargers replied and tied the game when Rivers found tight endAntonio Gates on a 12-yard touchdown pass (with a successful two-point conversion as Rivers found wide receiverLegedu Naanee). Before the clock struck zero Seattle took the winning score as running back Leon Washington returned his second kickoff of the game into the endzone running 99 yards for a touchdown. Rivers and the Chargers attempted to make a comeback with less than a minute left, but was picked off by rookieEarl Thomas to seal the win for Seattle.

With the win, Seattle improved to 2–1.

The Seahawks' fourth game was played atEdward Jones Dome where they played an NFC west rivalry match against the Rams. In the first quarter the Seahawks trailed early as quarterbackSam Bradford completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBrandon Gibson. The Seahawks cut the lead with kickerOlindo Mare nailing a 22-yard field goal, but the Rams increased their lead when kickerJosh Brown made a 30-yard field goal, followed in the 3rd quarter by Bradford completing a 21-yard touchdown pass to running backKenneth Darby. Then Josh Brown made a 31-yard field goal to put the Seahawks further behind.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 2–2 coming into their bye week and their 10-game winning streak against the Rams was snapped.

Following a bye week, the Seahawks traveled to Soldier Field and face theChicago Bears with a new weapon in running backMarshawn Lynch. Chicago quickly scored in the first quarter with aMatt Forte 6-yard run, butMatt Hasselbeck and the offense would respond quickly with a 22-yard touchdown reception byDeon Butler. Seattle would extend the lead to 14–7 with aJustin Forsett touchdown run near the beginning of the 2nd quarter, but two Chicago field goals made byRobbie Gould would bring the Bears to a one-point deficit at halftime. However, Chicago's offense was continuously hampered by the Seahawks' blitzes, roughing upJay Cutler for 6 sacks and a safety in the 3rd quarter. Lynch would score his first touchdown as a Seahawk later in the game, extending Seattle's lead to 23–13. The Bears tried to rallied within the last few minutes of the game asDevin Hester scored on an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown (his 13th, which tied an NFL record for most punt/kick return touchdowns by a single player), but an onside kick recovered by tight endJohn Carlson sealed Seattle's first non-division road victory since 2007.

With the win, the Seahawks moved to 3–2.

Coming off their win over the Bears the Seahawks played on home ground for an NFC West rivalry match against the Cardinals. In the first quarter the Seahawks took the lead as kickerOlindo Mare got a 20-yard field goal. Followed in the second quarter by quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck making a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMike Williams. The Seahawks increased their lead in the 3rd quarter with Mare nailing a 31 and a 51-yard field goal. The Cardinals replied with running backBeanie Wells getting a 2-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks continued to score with Mare hitting a 24-yard field goal, but the Cardinals responded in the fourth quarter with kickerJay Feely getting a 24-yard field goal. The Seahawks pulled away with Mare making a 26-yard field goal.

With the win, the Seahawks improved to 4–2.

Hoping to increase their winning streak the Seahawks flew toOakland–Alameda County Coliseum where they played their former division rival, theOakland Raiders. The Seahawks immediately trailed on a scoring rally by the Raiders with kickerSebastian Janikowski nailing a 31-yard field goal. This was followed in the second quarter by quarterbackJason Campbell's 30-yard touchdown pass to FBMarcel Reece. Then in the third quarter Janikowski made a 36-yard field goal. Then he made a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put the Raiders up 16–0. The Seahawks struggled further with Campbell getting a 69-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDarrius Heyward-Bey. The Seahawks would make their only score of the game with kickerOlindo Mare hitting a 47-yard field goal. However, they continued to trail as Janikowski made a 49-yard field goal, followed by running backMichael Bush making a 4-yard touchdown run.

With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 4–3.

The Seahawks' eighth game was an NFC duel with the Giants at home. The Giants took control with running backAhmad Bradshaw getting a 2-yard touchdown run, followed byEli Manning's 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverHakeem Nicks, followed by Bradshaw's 4-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, quarterbackEli Manning found wide receiverSteve Smith and tight endKevin Boss on 6 and 5-yard touchdown passes respectively. The lead was expanded by kickerLawrence Tynes who made a 25 and a 20-yard field goal. Seattle made their only score of the game, with quarterbackCharlie Whitehurst completing a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBen Obomanu.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 4–4. This also marks the first time that they lost to the Giants at home since 1981.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Giants the Seahawks flew toUniversity of Phoenix Stadium for an NFC West rivalry match against the Cardinals. In the first quarter the Seahawks trailed early as running backTim Hightower got a 2-yard touchdown run. They replied with running backMarshawn Lynch getting a 1-yard touchdown run. They took the lead with kickerOlindo Mare getting a 41-yard field goal, but the Cardinals replied with kickerJay Feely nailing a 23-yard field goal. They took control with quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck completing a 63-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDeon Butler. This was followed in the third quarter by a 34, 19 and 23-yard field goal from Mare. In the fourth quarter Mare got another 19-yard field goal to put the Seahawks up 29–10. The Cardinals responded with quarterbackDerek Anderson making a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverEarly Doucet (with a successful two-point conversion as Anderson found wide receiverLarry Fitzgerald), but the Seahawks put the game away with running backJustin Forsett getting a 4-yard touchdown run.

With the win, not only did the Seahawks improve to 5–4, but they swept the Cardinals for the first time since 2005. This was also their first win at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Seahawks' tenth game was an NFC duel with the Saints. In the first quarter the Seahawks took the lead as kickerOlindo Mare hit a 20-yard field goal; but the Saints pulled ahead after running backChris Ivory got a 1-yard touchdown run. The lead narrowed in the second quarter by Mare getting a 43-yard field goal, but the Seahawks fell further behind when quarterbackDrew Brees made a 23 and a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMarques Colston and wide receiverRobert Meachem respectively. The Seahawks cut the lead again after quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck got a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBen Obomanu; but the Saints replied with Brees throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Colston. The Seahawks tried to cut the lead with Mare hitting a 43-yard field goal. The lead extended in the third quarter with Brees finding Meachem again on a 32-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks made the only score of the fourth quarter with Mare making a 20-yard field goal; however, the Saints' defense closed off any more chances.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 5–5.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Saints the Seahawks played on home ground where they played their former division rival, theKansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, the Seahawks trailed early with quarterbackMatt Cassel getting a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDwayne Bowe. They responded after free safetyEarl Thomas returned a blocked punt 10 yards for a touchdown. They fell behind asShaun Smith got a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by Cassel finding Bowe again on a 36-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks cut the lead when kickerOlindo Mare got a 43-yard field goal, followed by quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck getting a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight endChris Baker. The struggled further with running backJamaal Charles getting a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by Cassel throwing to Bowe on a 9-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks responded as Hasselbeck completed an 87-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBen Obomanu, but the Chiefs increased their lead as Cassel got a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight endTony Moeaki.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 5–6.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Chiefs the Seahawks played on home ground for an NFC duel with the Panthers. In the first quarter the Seahawks trailed early as running backMike Goodson got a 6-yard touchdown run, followed by running backJonathan Stewart getting a 3-yard touchdown run. They commanded the rest of the game with kickerOlindo Mare getting a 24-yard field goal, followed by running backMarshawn Lynch getting a 1-yard touchdown run, then withLofa Tatupu returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. The lead was extended with Lynch getting touchdown runs of 1 yard and 22 yards.

With the win, not only did the Seahawks improve to 6–6, they surpassed their victory mark of the last 2 seasons.

After their win over the Panthers the Seahawks flew toCandlestick Park for an NFC West rivalry match against the 49ers. The Seahawks trailed early with quarterbackAlex Smith completing a 42-yard touchdown pass to tight endVernon Davis, but they replied with quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverRuvell Martin. They fell further behind when kickerJeff Reed hit a 33 and a 44-yard field goal, followed by Smith completing a 15 and a 62-yard touchdown pass toJosh Morgan andBrian Westbrook respectively. This was followed by Reed making a 22-yard field goal, and in the third quarter with free safetyDashon Goldson returning an interception 39 yards for a touchdown. After that, Reed kicked a 36-yard field goal to put the 49ers up 40–7. The Seahawks tried to cut the lead down but only came away with running backLeon Washington returning the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, and in the fourth quarter with quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck getting a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDeon Butler.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 6–7.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the 49ers the Seahawks played on home ground for an NFC duel with the Falcons. In the first quarter the Seahawks took the lead with running backMarshawn Lynch getting a 1-yard touchdown run, with the Falcons replying with quarterbackMatt Ryan making a 3-yard touchdown pass to fullbackJason Snelling. The Seahawks trailed slightly with kickerMatt Bryant hitting a 27-yard field goal, but managed to tie the game with kickerOlindo Mare nailing a 38-yard field goal. They struggled to keep up after Ryan completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMichael Jenkins, followed by quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck losing the ball in the endzone which was picked up by defensive tackleJonathan Babineaux for a touchdown. This was followed by Bryant getting a 25-yard field goal, and then with Ryan getting a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverRoddy White. The Seahawks tried to cut the lead, but only came away with quarterbackCharlie Whitehurst scrambling a yard for a touchdown.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 6–8.

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Falcons the Seahawks flew toRaymond James Stadium for an NFC duel with the Buccaneers. The Seahawks took the early lead with quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck scrambling 1 yard for a touchdown, but failed to maintain this lead with kickerConnor Barth hitting a 46-yard field goal, followed by quarterbackJosh Freeman completing a 10 and a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight endKellen Winslow and to wide receiverMike Williams. The Seahawks fell further behind when Freeman connected with Winslow and Williams again on a 21 and a 7-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks tried to come back with running backLeon Washington getting a 16-yard touchdown run (with a successful two-point conversion as quarterbackCharlie Whitehurst connected with wide receiverBen Obomanu), but struggled to keep up as Freeman made a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMaurice Stovall.

With the loss, Seattle fell to 6–9.

Hoping to end their season on a positive note, the Seahawks went home for a Week 17 NFC West rematch with theSt. Louis Rams, with the division title on the line. Seattle delivered the game's opening strike in the first quarter as quarterbackCharlie Whitehurst found wide receiverMike Williams on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Rams answered in the second quarter with former Seahawks kickerJosh Brown making a 32-yard field goal.

St. Louis continued to pound away at Seattle's lead in the third quarter as Brown got a 27-yard field goal, but the Seahawks replied with a 31-yard field goal from kickerOlindo Mare. Afterwards, Seattle pulled away in the fourth quarter with Mare's 38-yard and 34-yard field goals.

With the win, not only did the Seahawks finish the regular season at 7–9, but they also won the NFC West for the first time since 2007 and secured the NFC's #4 seed. Also, Seattle became the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs in a non-strike season and become division champions with a losing record.

Seattle entered the postseason as the #4 seed in the NFC.

Entering the postseason as the NFC's #4 seed, the Seahawks began their playoff run at home in the NFC Wild Card Round against the #5New Orleans Saints in a rematch of their Week 11 duel. Seattle trailed early in the first quarter as Saints kickerGarrett Hartley got a 26-yard field goal, followed by quarterbackDrew Brees completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullbackHeath Evans. The Seahawks answered with quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck finding tight endJohn Carlson on an 11-yard touchdown pass. New Orleans responded in the second quarter with running backJulius Jones getting a 5-yard touchdown run, but Seattle would take the lead in the 2nd quarter with Hasselbeck connecting with Carlson again on a 7-yard touchdown pass, Mare booting a 29-yard field goal, and Hasselbeck hooking up with wide receiverBrandon Stokley on a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Saints closed out the half with Hartley getting a 22-yard field goal.

The Seahawks added onto their lead in the third quarter as Hasselbeck found wide receiverMike Williams on a 38-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 39-yard field goal from Mare. New Orleans ate away at their deficit in the fourth quarter with Jones' 4-yard touchdown run and Hartley's 21-yard field goal, but Seattle came right back with a 67-yard touchdown run from running backMarshawn Lynch. The Saints tried to rally with Brees completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDevery Henderson (with a failed two-point conversion), but a failed onside kick helped preserve Seattle's victory.

With the win, not only did the Seahawks improve their overall record to 8–9, but they became the first sub-.500 team in NFL history to win a playoff game as well as dethroning the defending world champion Saints from further playoff contention.

It was later determined that crowd activity and noise was so great, specifically during Marshawn Lynch's game-clinching touchdown run (commonly referred to as theBeast Quake), that a nearby seismic monitoring station registered a small tremor located at Qwest Field.^[25] With the win, the Seahawks had a 6–3 record at home for the season. Seahawks go to the NFC Divisional Round but lost to the Bears 35-24.

Coming off their win over the Saints, the Seahawks flew toSoldier Field for the NFC Divisional Round against the #2Chicago Bears, in a rematch of their Week 6 matchup. Seattle trailed early in the first quarter as Bear quarterbackJay Cutler completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to tight endGreg Olsen, followed by running backChester Taylor getting a 1-yard touchdown run. Chicago added onto their lead in the second quarter as Cutler got a 6-yard touchdown run.

The Bears continued their dominating day in the third quarter as Cutler got a 9-yard touchdown run. Seattle finally answered with a 30-yard field goal from kickerOlindo Mare. The Seahawks tried to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck found wide receiverMike Williams on a 38-yard touchdown pass, but Chicago pulled away with Cutler completing a 39-yard touchdown pass to tight endKellen Davis. Seattle continued to try to rally as Hasselbeck connected with Williams again on a 3-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBrandon Stokley, but the Bears held on to preserve the win.

With the loss, the Seahawks' season came to an end with an overall record at 8–10. Seahawks followed a loss to forget and in 2011 they missed the playoffs 7-9.