Already after the 2023 season there was a big change at the Seahawks. Because long-time head coach Pete Carroll left the Seahawks after twelve years and two Super Bowl appearances. The Seahawks’ new head coach was 38-year-old Mike Macdonald.
And the Seahawks made another big change the next year. In free agency they let starting quarterback Geno Smith go and signed Sam Darnold, who had had a strong season with the Vikings.
But this decision was criticized by many. Darnold was not viewed as a franchise quarterback and many pundits saw a huge mistake in trusting Darnold’s abilities. But that turned out to be an absolute stroke of luck. The Seahawks played an outstanding regular season and Darnold led a dominant offense throughout the season.
The Seahawks’ defense was even stronger. With a strong D-line and an even better secondary, the Seahawks defense became one of the best defenses in the NFL and was even rated by former Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck as better than the legendary Legion of Boom.
In the regular season, the Seahawks won 14 of 17 games and in the three losses this season they never lost by more than four points. Sam Darnold had a good season with 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the most receiving yards in the NFL with 1,793 yards.
The defense, which quickly earned its nickname “Dark Side,” became one of the best defenses in the league and was the deciding factor in many regular season games.
With a record of 14-3, the Seahawks were able to not only win their own division, but also get the first seed in the NFC. The Seahawks thus secured home advantage in all playoff games up to the Super Bowl as well as a bye week during the first round of the playoffs.
Divisional Round
After a two-week break, the Seahawks started their playoff run at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks showed their skills against their division rivals and dominated the game from start to finish. The injury-plagued 49ers had no chance at all against the strong and rested Seahawks and were overrun by Darnold and Co. in a 41:6 statement victory.
This win symbolized the Seahawks’ strong season, especially on defense. After the Seattle team lost the first game of the season against the 49ers, this show of force showed the balance of power in the division.
NFC Championship Game
The Seahawks went straight into the NFC Championship Game after just one playoff win. And here, too, the Seahawks faced a division rival. But this time the Seahawks didn’t have it as easy as in the previous playoff round. The game against the Los Angeles Rams developed into an offensive exchange of blows with defensive accents.
Both teams moved the ball well and were able to score a lot of points. The defenses repeatedly provided pinpricks and created important moments in the game, but were not always able to keep the opposing offense in check. In the end, the Seahawks won narrowly but deservedly 31:27 and took the NFC crown.
This strong regular season and playoff season now culminates in the Seahawks’ fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. The change after the change from Pete Carroll to Mike Macdonald in the head coaching position and the decision for Sam Darnold the following year proved to be the right one and led to a successful season that now culminates in the Super Bowl.
With a new head coach and a new quarterback, the Seahawks are building on the successful time around Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson and have the chance of revenge for the lost Super Bowl XLIX in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.
