Collapse ends Seahawks' season

Jan 13, 2008 - 7:37 PM By Tom Torrisi PA SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

The Seattle Seahawks couldn't have envisioned a better start. After that, it was all downhill.

The Seahawks' season ended with a thud when they were blown out by the Green Bay Packers, 42-20, in an NFC divisional playoff game Saturday at snow-covered Lambeau Field.

The end result was hardly surprising, since Seattle has not won a road playoff game since 1983.

Yet the manner in which the Seahawks lost, squandering a 14-0 lead after just 4:01 had elapsed and allowing the Packers to score touchdowns on six consecutive possessions, was most troubling to Seattle's players.

"It is extremely frustrating to end the year like this because it is way out of character for us," free safety Brian Russell said. "We went out there and stunk it up today. Green Bay executed well and we didn't. This will stick in our craw all offseason and it will be a big motivator for us to get better."

While the Packers had the benefit of a bye week and homefield, the Seahawks had a decided edge in experience and it appeared that could be a decisive factor early on.

Green Bay running back Ryan Grant fumbled on the very first play from scrimmage and Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu returned it to the 1-yard line. Shaun Alexander scored on the next play and the Seahawks were in front, 7-0, just 20 seconds into the contest.

Grant fumbled again on the second play of the Packers' next possession, and Seattle quickly capitalized when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hit Bobby Engram with an 11-yard TD pass for a 14-0 advantage.

Holding a two-touchdown lead and with snow starting to fall at Lambeau Field, the Seahawks seemingly had everything going their way.

"We were up 14 and we were thinking it couldn't be any better," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren admitted. "They settled in and responded beautifully and then we just could not stop them. We couldn't stop them very well today." Staring at the early deficit, veteran Packers quarterback Brett Favre was of the same mind-set as Holmgren.

"When we were down 14-0 I have to admit I was not very optimistic," Favre said.

One defensive stop by Seattle at the juncture and the game could have turned into a rout. Instead, the Seahawks didn't get a stop until the fourth quarter, and by that time the Packers had scored touchdowns on six consecutive possessions.

Grant bounced back from his early miscues and shredded Seattle's defense for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

"It was his first playoff game and it woud get anyone rattled," Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney said. "But you have to hand it to the guy, he came back and cut well on a bad surface and used his feet to make us look bad."

While some Seattle players mentioned the bye week and weather conditions as contributing factors to their demise, others refused to offer excuses.

"We have to point the finger at ourselves and go on," safety Deon Grant said. "We have to see how we can get better as individuals and then as a team. They really played hard-nosed physical football. They were ready to play and they brought it."

Now there is a question as to what the future will bring for the Seahawks. There is speculation that Holmgren might have coached his final game in Seattle. Holmgren only would address his plans for the next few days after the game.

"Meeting with my team tomorrow. Follow normal protocals. Team meeting tomorrow," Holmgren said. "Meet with you guys and then (his wife) Kath and I are going to take off for a while.

"Tough when you lose. Emotions are this sport make it great to play in and coach. Always said I am one of the luckiest guys in the world."