Best Seahawks Seasons #6: Thank You Tony Romo
Wihle this photo was taken years later, the feeling must have been similar. Sept 16, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) rests on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Following up their superb season in 2005 that ended with a trip to the Super Bowl, the Seahawks started 2006 with three straight wins. However, the score of their first game was 9-6 in a field goal battle against the lions. It foreshadowed a less than spectacular regular season that brought Seahawks fans back down to earth, and showed just how big of an opportunity was missed in Super Bowl XL.
The 2006 season also might serve as a warning to this year’s Seahawks fans. Breakthrough success can last as little as one season.
In the regular season, the Seahawks never came close to gaining the momentum or rhythm they had in the super bowl run of the season before. Injuries plagued them more than anything else, and it always seemed like they would be able to mount a postseason run if only they got healthy.
By the time week seventeen was over, the Seahawks found themselves champions of the NFC West, and looking at a favorable match-up against the Dallas Cowboys at home. The game ended up being too close for comfort.
With 1:19 remaining in the game the score was 21-20 with Seattle on top. The Cowboys lined up for a 19-yard field goal. Quarterback Tony Romo was lined up to hold the ball…and he dropped a clean snap. Seattle held on to win the game. It was truly one of the wildest and strangely satisfying wins in Seahawks history.
The following week, the Seahawks lost an overtime win to the eventual NFC Champion Chicago Bears.
By The Numbers:
Regular Season Record: 9-7 (NFC West Champions)
Playoff record: 1-1
Points for: 335
Points against: 341
Differential: -6
Turn overs forced: 26
Offensive turn overs: 34
Differential: -8
Notable Opponents and Games:
Week 8: Damon Huard QB (and Husky) and Larry Johnson RB Kansas City.
Husky Hero, Damon Huard passed for 312 yards and a touchdown. However, Larry Johnson stole the show with 155 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown. Chiefs won, 35-28.
Week 12: Shaun Alexander rushes for over 201 yards against the Packers.
Shaun Alexander had forty rushes for two-hundred one yards, and Brett Favre three interceptions to three different Seahawks. Seahawks won improving their record to 7-4, 34-24.
Week 16: LaDanian Tomlinson
In a match-up of premier running backs, Shaun Alexander (140 yards and two TDs vs. 123 yards and 0 tds) had the better numbers, but the Chargers won the game. 17-20
Week 17: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the final week of the season, the Seahawks took care of business with a 23-7 win over Tampa Bay.
Offensive Standout: In a season where none of the main skill position players started all 16 games, I’ll give this one to WR Darrell Jackson. In thirteen games he caught ten touchdowns, and 956 yards.
Defensive Standout: MLB Lofa Tutupu followed up his rookie season with ninety-three tackles and thirty assists.
Telling Stat of the Season: -8 point differential on the season showed just how fine the line can be between winning and losing in the NFL.
Notable Draft Picks: DB Kelly Jennings, DE Darryl Tapp,
Super Bowl Champion: Indianapolis 29 Chicago 17