SEATTLE – Down 16 points, the Seattle Seahawks got an unexpected spark from an unlikely source in rallying for a 28-22 overtime win to advance to Super Bowl XLIX.
Facing a fourth down punt, punter Jon Ryan threw a 19-yard touchdown pass from a fake punt to offensive lineman to Clint Gresham in the third quarter to make the score 16-7. After a 48-yard field goal from Mason Crosby to make the score 19-7, Seattle would begin its improbable comeback.
Russell Wilson, who had the worst game of his career in tossing four interceptions, ran in a one-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 19-14 with 2:09 left to play.
With all the momentum on their side, Seattle recovered an on-side kick, and would score on a 24-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks would convert on a two-point conversion off of a Wilson pass to tight end Luke Willson.
Crosby would kick a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 22 with 14 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
After winning the coin toss, Wilson found wide receiver Jermaine Kearse on a 35-yard touchdown pass to send the Seahawks to their third Super Bowl in franchise history, and an opportunity to become the defending champion to reach the Super Bowl with a chance to be the first time to repeat since the New England Patriots did in 2003-2004.
For the game, Wilson went only 14-of-29 for 209 yards. For most of the game, Green Bay kept Wilson in check in sacking him five times, while have a “spy” to keep him contained in the pocket. In the end Wilson saved his best for last.
After being contained for much of the first half, Lynch also came to life in the second half in rushing for 157 yards on 25 carries, including the fore-mentioned 24 yard touchdown rumble that would ignite the Seahawks rally.
Despite his injured right calf, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played valiantly in a losing effort in going 19-of-34 for 178 yards. Rodgers would toss one touchdown pass and throw two interceptions.
It is hard to fathom a road team up by 16 points at halftime and by 12 in the fourth quarter such as the Packers to squander a chance at playing for a Super Bowl by opting to play it “safe”, but after Sunday’s improbable loss in which Green Bay was unable to effectively take advantage of multiple Seahawk miscues, expect for some possible changes and personnel to be coming to Titletown.
Tough loss by the Packers…and i’m a browns fan.