Seahawks in the Super Bowl, part one: a long road to heartache

Two big plays sank the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL

It was a tight game at the half, 7-3 in favor of the Steelers. After the second-half kickoff, Rothlisberger missed on a connection to Hines Ward. For those of you unfamiliar with this name, we’ll hear more about this gentleman later. On the next play, Willie Parker ripped off a 75 yard run. The Seahawks had held the Steelers without a first down in the first quarter, and 122 total yards in the first half. Yet suddenly they were down 14-3. They drove to the Pittsburgh 32 on the next drive, but Josh Brown missed his second field goal try of over 50 yards in the game.

Pittsburgh drove down the field, but Kelly Herndon intercepted Rothlisberger at the Seattle four-yard line and returned it 76 yards. Hasselbeck and crew went to work, and three plays later cut the lead to four on a Jerramy Stevens touchdown reception. At this point, it was a little more than midway through the third quarter and the momentum of the game had shifted back to the Seahawks.

Both teams traded field position until the Hawks mounted a drive in the fourth quarter. Hasselbeck was picked off for the first time in the game. The return and ensuing penalty on the Seahawks quarterback for a low block had the Steelers set up shop at their own 44 yard line. After Pittsburgh picked up a first down at the Seattle 43, the Hawks gave up their second big play of the game.