The2013 season was theSeattle Seahawks' 38th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their fourth underhead coachPete Carroll. With the Seahawks tenth win in the eleventh week of the season, the team secured double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Their 13–3 regular season record is tied with the2005 season for the second best in franchise history. Seattle's defense in 2013 is regarded by many to be one of the best in NFL history.[1]
The Seahawks clinched theNFC's No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout theplayoffs with their 13–3 record. The Seahawks defeated theNew Orleans Saints 23–15 in the Divisional round and theSan Francisco 49ers 23–17 in the NFC Championship. InSuper Bowl XLVIII, they defeated theDenver Broncos 43–8 for their firstSuper Bowl victory in franchise history.[2] Of Seattle's thirteen wins, eight of them were decided by eleven points or more, with their season-best margin being a 45–17 win against the Jaguars. There were eight instances of the Seahawks allowing two touchdowns or fewer. The Seahawks allowed just 14.4 points per game in the regular season, a team record still standing today. The defense led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39), the first team to lead all three categories since the1985 Chicago Bears.[3] The Seahawks finished the season with a point differential of +186, a team record which stood until their nextSuper Bowl championship season in2025.
The 2013 Seahawks rank #18 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[4][5]
^[b] The Seahawks traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' second-, fifth- and sixth- round selections — Nos. 62, 165 and 199 overall. The latter two selections were traded to theDetroit Lions in exchange for the Lions' fifth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
^[c] The Seahawks acquired this fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent linebackerAaron Curry to theOakland Raiders.
^Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
^Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their 2013 campaign with a hard-fought, ugly win over the Carolina Panthers, 12–7. This game marked Russell Wilson's first 300-yard passing game, and Cam Newton's worst career performance, posting 125 yards through the air, a career low.
The first quarter was scoreless, with both sides exchanging a couple of punts. On their third possession of the game, in the second quarter, Seattle drove into the red zone, capping it with aStephen Hauschka 27-yard field goal. Carolina responded immediately, taking advantage of a couple of Seattle penalties and some big runs byDeAngelo Williams.Cam Newton hitSteve Smith for a 3-yard TD. Seattle responded with a drive to around the Carolina 27 yard line, butCharles Godfrey sackedRussell Wilson and stripped the football, which Carolina recovered. So the first half ended 7–3, in favor of Carolina.
The second half began with a defensive battle. Hauschka made a 40-yard field goal, after a drive that lasted over 4 minutes, cutting the lead to 7–6. After forcing Carolina to punt midway through the fourth quarter, Seattle's offense produced its finest drive of the day. A couple ofRussell Wilson passes, followed by aRobert Turbin 15-yard scamper, set up Seattle at the Panthers' 43 yard line.Russell Wilson overthrew receiver Stephen Williams on first down, but on second down and 10, using exactly the same play, Wilson connected with second-year manJermaine Kearse for a 43-yard score, with 10 minutes left to play. They failed on the two-point conversion however, so Seattle clung to a 12–7 lead. DeAngelo Williams made some big runs. Inside the Seattle 35 yard line, Williams took off for 24 yards and looked like he was going to score, butEarl Thomas caused him to fumble inside the 10 yard line.
In week 2, the Seahawks took on their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to the season, NFL analysts[who?] rated this rivalry as the top upcoming rivalry, as well as the top rivalry of the decade. Both teams proved that point, when they had an arms race in the off-season, Seattle picking upPercy Harvin and San Francisco pickingAnquan Boldin in the off-season, among others. Last season, the teams were 1–1 against each other, Seattle being the better team, as they blew out the Niners 42–13 in the last meeting in Seattle, coincidentally, also on Sunday Night Football. It was also a day thatRussell Wilson andColin Kaepernick appeared to bet an eyebrow, with the loser shaving his eyebrow; this was later revealed to be a publicity stunt.[7] Finally, it was a day where former SeahawkShaun Alexander would raise the 12th man flag.
The game began quietly though, as both sides failed to establish a rhythm. The game was delayed midway through the first quarter due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the second such case in the 2013 season (Ravens-Broncos kickoff game in week 1 was the first). After getting back onto the field, the 49ers blocked a Seahawks punt and got the ball in Seattle territory. However, Seattle claimed a whistle was heard from the crowd, which confused the linemen and the punter. That claim was later justified by NBC analystCris Collinsworth. The Niners took advantage and drove to the Seattle 10-yard line. However, on third down,Earl Thomas intercepted aColin Kaepernick pass, and Seattle regained possession. A few plays later,Russell Wilson was intercepted by rookieEric Reid, and the tug of war continued into the second quarter.
All was quiet until midway through the second quarter, where fullbackBruce Miller was caught holding in the endzone, the result of which was a safety, and a Seattle 2–0 lead. Later on, defensive endCliff Avril strip sacked Kaepernick andK. J. Wright recovered for Seattle, the result of which was aStephen Hauschka 30-yard field goal. Halftime came with a small 5–0 Seahawks lead. The game was pretty dark and messy at that point, the only bright side being Seattle running backMarshawn Lynch.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks came out roaring. On third and 12, Wilson connected with receiverDoug Baldwin for a 51-yard gain to inside the 49ers 25 yard line. A few plays later, Lynch took it to the house on a 14-yard run, 12–0 Seattle. The 49ers responded with a drive to the Seattle 6-yard line, capped off byPhil Dawson 21-yard field goal, that included a 28-yard scramble by Kaepernick, 12–3 Seahawks. However, that would be it for the Niners, and the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks demolished the Niners on all phases of play. It started with Wilson hitting Lynch for a 7-yard score on third down. A few plays into the Niners next drive, Kaepernick was intercepted byRichard Sherman, who took it to the 49ers 25-yard line. That resulted in a 37-yard Hauschka field goal. On the ensuing Niners drive, Kaepernick was intercepted again, this time by safetyKam Chancellor, who had signed a contract extension earlier in the year. Lynch scored on a 2-yard run on the next play. Seattle led 29–3. The 49ers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Seattle recovered.
Seattle won, in convincing style, silencing any critics. The 12th man also broke a Guinness world record, for the loudest outdoor stadium. Yet again, Seattle dominated on SNF, andPete Carroll improved to 3–4 overall against the Niners, and 2–3 against bitter rivalJim Harbaugh. Seattle was now 2–0, and still unbeaten at home.
The Seahawks entered week 3 on top of the NFC to take on theJacksonville Jaguars who were on the opposite end of the AFC. This game did not garner much attention, considering the fact that it was a "best vs worst" game. However, that didn't change Seattle's positive "1–0" mentality to the game.
Seattle opened up the game with a punt. After forcing a Jacksonville three and out, on a drive which included aClinton McDonald sack,Russell Wilson marched the Seahawks right down the field, on a drive that included a 27-yard run byMarshawn Lynch, and on third and goal from the 1-yard line, hit tight endZach Miller for a touchdown, and an early 7–0 lead.
Picking up from where they left off in the first quarter, Seattle took their first drive of the second quarter, where Wilson connected with Miller for a 4-yard touchdown pass, the duo's second of the day. After aStephen Hauschka 21-yard field goal on the next drive, the game got quiet until the Jaguars final drive of the half, whereChad Henne was intercepted by linebackerBobby Wagner, with under a minute left to play. Wilson then made some beautiful completions to receiversGolden Tate andSidney Rice in lightning fast succession, the latter of whom caught an 11-yard pass for a touchdown with 10 seconds left on the clock, to send Seattle up 24–0 at the half.
On the Seahawks first drive of the second half, they picked up were they left off, as Wilson hit rice for a 23-yard score, marking Wilson's fourth TD pass of the day, tying a career-high, and putting the Hawks up 31–0. On the ensuing drive, however, Wilson was picked off by linebackerPaul Posluszny, who returned it to the Seattle 2-yard line, where Jaguars RBMaurice Jones-Drew punched it in on the next play, 31–7 Seattle. That was the last time Wilson touched the ball. BackupTarvaris Jackson took over and drove Seattle to the Jaguars 35-yard line, not missing a single completion on the drive. He then threw a TD pass toDoug Baldwin, adding to the lead, 38–7 Seattle.
Seattle then shut its system off, which allowed Henne to hit receiverCecil Shorts III for a couple of long completions on the Jaguars next couple of drives, racking up 10 points, including a fourth-quarter run byJordan Todman, his first career TD, 38–17 Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks downfield, scoring on a 5-yard scramble, re-establishing a big lead, 45–17.
Seattle started 3–0 for the first time since 2006, and the first time in thePete Carroll era. Seattle is still unbeaten at home, with a 10–0 record including last year.
The Seahawks led 3–0 after the first quarter, but the Texans scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter, building a 20–3 halftime lead. However, the Seahawks outscored the Texans 17–0 in the third and fourth quarters. With less than three minutes to go, and the Texans leading 20–13, Matt Schaub's pass on 3rd down was picked off by Richard Sherman and returned 58 yards for a pick six, allowing the Seahawks to tie the game and force overtime. The Seahawks would go on to win the game in overtime by a final score of 23–20. With the win, the Seahawks would open the season with a 4–0 record for the first time in franchise history.
This would be the first meeting between quarterbacksRussell Wilson andAndrew Luck, who were both selected in the2012 NFL draft. Though Wilson and the Seahawks maintained a lead throughout the first three quarters, Luck led the Colts back, taking the lead and never letting go in the 4th. It would be the first loss for the Seahawks in the season, dropping their record to 4–1. The Colts punted and the Seahawks drove down the field and scored a field goal to go up 3–0. After another Indy three-and-out, Russell Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate to take a 10–0 lead. Then another Indy punt was blocked and bounced out of the endzone to extend the lead to 12–0. Seattle punted to Indy when Andrew Luck threw a 73-yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton to make the score 12–7. Seattle drove into field goal range but a 48-yard field goal was blocked and returned for a touchdown by the Colts. Indy led 14–12 until Wilson found Jermaine Kearse to give Seattle a 19–14 lead. Luck led the Colts downfield and they kicked a field goal to make it 19–17 at the half. Seattle kicked another field goal to make it 22–17. Indianapolis fumbled and led to a 25–17 Seahawks lead. Luck then found Hilton in the endzone but the two-point-conversion failed leaving the score at 25–23. Seattle then kicked a 4th field goal to extend their lead to 28–23. Indy scored a touchdown to make it 31–28 and then a field goal to make it 34–28 final.
Following their loss to the Colts, the Seahawks returned to CenturyLink field to host theTennessee Titans. The Seahawks allowed a field goal from Titans kickerRob Bironas, but a second quarter touchdown from running backMarshawn Lynch caused the Seahawks to retake the lead. The Seahawks attempted to extend their lead at the end of the quarter with afield goal. With their kickerStephen Hauschka in the locker room with a potential injury, usual holderJon Ryan filled in the kicker position, and reserve safetyChris Maragos was asked to hold the ball for the field goal attempt. Maragos however fumbled the snap, which was recovered by Titans special teamerJason McCourty and run back 77 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks then entered halftime behind 7–10.
During the 3rd quarter, the Seahawks held the Titans scoreless while scoring a field goal of their own, tying the game. An additional field goal during the 4th put the Seahawks ahead again. On the first play of the next drive, Fitzpatrick threw an interception to Seahawks cornerbackRichard Sherman. The Seahawks capitalized by with another touchdown from Lynch. The Seahawks would only allow another field goal from the Titans, and the win brought their record to 5–1.
The Seahawks defeated the Rams 14–9 in aMonday Night Football thriller. The Rams were successful at limiting the Seahawks offense, holding running backMarshawn Lynch to a season low of only 23 yards and sacking quarterbackRussell Wilson seven times. After holding the Rams to a field goal in the first quarter, the Seahawks went ahead with a 2-yard touchdown pass toGolden Tate.
The Rams responded in the third quarter with another field goal, cutting down the Seahawks' lead to 1. After an incomplete pass toJermaine Kearse on the first play of the next drive, Wilson threw an 80-yard touchdown toGolden Tate. It was the longest play of either player's career. On his way towards the end zone, Tate turned and sarcastically waved towards Rams safetyRodney McLeod. Though the touchdown would count, the Seahawks would be penalized for taunting during the kickoff. Carroll chastised Tate after the penalty occurred, and Tate was fined $7,875 after the game.
After the Seahawks allowed an additional Rams field goal, the game came down to the final drive. The Rams, in possession of the ball with 5:42 left in the game, managed to drive the ball all the way to the 6 yard line with less than 1:20 left on the clock. A missed throw from Rams quarterbackKellen Clemens and a 4-yard run from Rams running backDaryl Richardson allowed the Rams a 3rd and Goal at the 2-yard line, but a defensive offsides call on Seahawks defensive endChris Clemons cut the distance in half. The Seahawks stopped an additional run from Richardson, and Rams head coachJeff Fisher called a timeout with only 4 seconds left in the game. Seahawks cornerbackBrandon Browner successfully defended Clemens's final pass towardsBrian Quick, sealing the Seahawks victory and bringing their record to 7–1.
The top-ranked Seahawks hosted the winlessTampa Bay Buccaneers in what many believed would be a blowout. However, the Buccaneers marched to a 21–0 lead during the 2nd quarter, which included a trick play from running backMike James. Despite giving up a field goal later in the game, the Seahawks came roaring back, tying the game during the fourth quarter and forcing overtime. The Seahawks narrowly avoided a loss with a 27-yard field goal fromStephen Hauschka.
This was a rematch of the NFC Divisional matchup from the 2012 postseason. The Seahawks jumped out to a 23–3 halftime lead and never looked back, routing the Falcons 33–10. The Seahawks won their fifth consecutive game as their record improved to 9–1.
At the beginning of this game,Doug Baldwin flew the Philippines flag in memory of the victims ofTyphoon Yolanda. Free agent signeePercy Harvin saw his first minutes of playing time of the season during the game, incidentally against the team that drafted him. He would catch one pass for 17 yards and return one kickoff for 58 yards. The Seahawks entered thebye week with a 10–1 record, the best in the NFL at the time.
The Seahawks dominated from start to finish, routing the Saints 34–7. The Seahawks won their 7th consecutive game as their record improved to 11–1. They became the first team to clinch a berth for the 2013 postseason.
In week 14 the Seahawks traveled out of their stadium to San Francisco where they took a loss to the 49ers. Russell Wilson was intercepted to end the game and continued the Seahawks' losing streak inCandlestick Park in which they last won in 2008. It was their last appearance at Candlestick Park, as the 49ers moved toLevi's Stadium for the 2014 season.
With the loss, the Seahawks' record dropped into 11–2. This would be the last time they lost to the 49ers until2018.[8]
In what many pundits dubbed a "Super Bowl dress rehearsal", the Seahawks faced theNew York Giants atMetLife Stadium, where theSuper Bowl would be held at the end of the season.[9][10] TheLegion of Boom intercepted Giants quarterbackEli Manning five times and held the team scoreless throughout the entire game.[11]
In Seattle's first loss at home since the 2011 season, the team record dropped to 12–3. Amazingly, this would also be Russell Wilson's first home loss in football since his college season with North Carolina State University.
With the win, the Seahawks' record improved to 13–3 as they clinched theNFC West and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs as the #1 seed.[12][13][14]
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints 23–15 in the Divisional Round.. Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch scored two touchdowns, one on a 15-yard run and another on a 31-yard run. The Saints were able to cut into the Seahawks' lead with fourth quarter touchdowns by Khiry Robinson and Marques Colston. However, the Seahawks were able to hold on a final trick play attempt by the Saints.[16] Seahawks faced the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game and won in The Tip 23-17. And win Super Bowl XLVIII to the Broncos 43-8.
This was the Seahawks' first conference Championship game appearance since2005 and only the third ever for the franchise, after 2005 and1983.[17] The Seahawks overcame a 10–3 deficit at the end of the half and finished strong, outscoring San Francisco 20–7 in the 2nd half. With Seattle leading 20–17 in the 4th quarter,Colin Kaepernick tried to rally his team, but fumbled once and threw 2 interceptions in the final three drives in the game for San Francisco. In the fourth quarter,NaVorro Bowman suffered a major knee injury on a tackle and forced fumble near the goal line, but the 49ers forced another fumble on the next play on 4th down. On the second play following fumble recovery, Kaepernick threw an interception toKam Chancellor. Kaepernick again had the 49ers in position to try for a win, but his pass toMichael Crabtree in the end zone was deflected byRichard Sherman and intercepted byMalcolm Smith, locking up the win for Seattle.[18] Seahawks win to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8.
In dominating fashion, the Seahawks won their first championship in the history of the franchise. This was also the first football team since the1990 Buffalo Bills to not have any players on the roster with Super Bowl experience.[19] It was Seattle's first major championship in 35 years since the1979 Seattle SuperSonics.[20] Linebacker Malcolm Smith earned the Super Bowl MVP award for his 69-yard pick-six, 1 fumble recovery, and 6 tackles.[21] The following year, the Seahawks would lose Super Bowl XLIX to the Patriots 28-24.
.png)
