The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 34th season in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
(NFL), the 8th playing their home games at
Qwest Field
Lumen Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. Located in the city's SoDo neighborhood, it is the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, t ...
and the first and only season under head coach
Jim Mora. The Seahawks slightly improved from their 4–12 record and a third-place finish in what was
Mike Holmgren
Michael George Holmgren (born June 15, 1948) is a former American football coach and executive. He began his NFL career as a quarterbacks' coach and later as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, where they won Super Bowls XXI ...
's final season coaching the team in 2008 and finished with a 5–11 record. However, Mora was fired January 8, 2010.
Offseason
Staff changes
At the beginning of the
2008 season, head coach
Mike Holmgren
Michael George Holmgren (born June 15, 1948) is a former American football coach and executive. He began his NFL career as a quarterbacks' coach and later as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, where they won Super Bowls XXI ...
had stated that 2008 was his final season before retiring. On December 30, 2008, two days after the season ended, Holmgren officially retired and stepped down as head coach.
Jim Mora, the team's assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, was officially selected as his replacement on January 13, 2009. The retirement and Jim Mora's accession had been originally announced on January 22, 2008.
Mora then began to replace most of the staff that Holmgren had last year. Defensive coordinator
John Marshall and defensive line coach
Dwaine Board
Dwaine P. Board (born November 29, 1956) is a defensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is also a former American football defensive end who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints fr ...
were both fired on January 12, 2009. Subsequently, former
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The cl ...
linebackers coach
Casey Bradley was hired as the new defensive coordinator. Also, former
New York Jets assistant
Dan Quinn replaced Board as the defensive line coach and as the new assistant head coach.
The offensive side was also revamped as well. Offensive coordinator
Gil Haskell was dismissed after 8 years with the Seahawks. Former
Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator
Greg Knapp, who had previously worked with Mora when he was the head coach of the
Atlanta Falcons, was hired as his replacement on January 14, 2009.
Mora also fired wide receivers coach
Keith Gilbertson
Keith Steven Gilbertson Jr. (born May 15, 1948) is a retired American football coach and player. He was the head coach at the University of Idaho (1986–1988), the University of California, Berkeley (1992–1995), and the University of Washingto ...
and was replaced with former
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team pla ...
assistant receivers coach
Robert Prince. Finally, tight ends coach
Jim Lind and special teams assistant
John Jamison both retired after the 2008 season.
Mike DeBord, formerly the offensive line assistant coach, replaced Lind although no replacement has been named for Jamison.
Key departures
Running back
Maurice Morris
Maurice Autora Morris (born December 1, 1979) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft and also played for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Oregon ...
, who backed up starter
Julius Jones last season, signed with the
Detroit Lions.
The Seahawks also lost defensive tackle
Rocky Bernard
Robert "Rocky" Eugene Bernard, Jr. (born April 19, 1979) is a former American football defensive tackle who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M.
Professional c ...
to the
New York Giants.
Fan favorite
Bobby Engram
Simon J. "Bobby" Engram III (born January 7, 1973) is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.
Engram also played for ...
was released and signed with the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
The ...
after the Seahawks signed wide receiver
T. J. Houshmandzadeh. The Seahawks were also in talks with fullback
Leonard Weaver
Leonard Toney Weaver III (born September 23, 1982) is a former American football fullback who last played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Carson-Newman College. He was signed ...
about a new contract, but ultimately he signed with the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team play ...
instead. Also, the Seahawks traded away Pro Bowl linebacker
Julian Peterson to the Lions. In all, the Seahawks lost a total of 14 players to free agency.
Linebacker
Leroy Hill
Leroy Hill Jr. (born September 14, 1982) is a former American football linebacker. He played high school football in Milledgeville, Georgia for the Baldwin High School Braves. He was selected with the 34th pick of the third round of the 2005 NFL ...
was placed under the
franchise tag
In the National Football League (NFL), the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has on ...
on February 19, 2009.
However, discussions for a long-term deal between Hill and the Seahawks were slow, and they continued to stall up to the draft. In an effort to speed up negotiations, the Seahawks removed their franchise tag on Hill less than 24 hours within the first draft day, thereby releasing him to free agency and allowing him to sign with other teams. However, on April 30, 2009, Hill agreed to a six-year, 38 million-dollar deal with the Seahawks.
Moments after signing
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James (; born August 1, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football at the University of Miami for the Miami Hurr ...
to a one-year deal, the Seahawks released running back
T. J. Duckett to make room on their roster. Duckett had led the team in rushing touchdowns the previous year.
Safety
Brian Russell
Brian William Russell (born February 5, 1978) is a former American football safety who played nine seasons in the NFL from 2001 to 2009. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and last played for the Houston Te ...
was also released on September 5, 2009. Russell had started at safety for the Seahawks since coming in at the start of the 2007 season. Strong safety
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Marzell Milloy (born November 14, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons. He played college football for the Washington Huskies, and earned Al ...
was signed after Russell's departure to fill his spot (along with
Jordan Babineaux).
Key additions
The Seahawks made big splashes during the offseason as well. On March 1, Seattle signed defensive tackle
Colin Cole from the
Green Bay Packers to a 5-year contract to address problems on their defensive line. They also received defensive tackle
Cory Redding and a fifth round pick in exchange for the Peterson trade mentioned above.
Perhaps the biggest move in free agency, however, was the signing of former Pro Bowl wide receiver
T. J. Houshmandzadeh from the
Cincinnati Bengals to a 5-year, $40 million deal with $15 million guaranteed two days after signing Cole. Houshmandzadeh was rated as one of the top free agents available.
After rescinding their franchise tag on Hill, the Seahawks signed former
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. ...
corner back
Ken Lucas to a one-year deal in order to bolster their pass coverage. They also signed fullback
Justin Griffith
Justin Montrel Griffith (born July 21, 1980) is a former Fullback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State.
Griffith has ...
from the
Oakland Raiders to address the departure of Weaver.
It was known that releasing of Hill created some flexibility on the
salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap (or wage cap) is an agreement or rule that places a limit on the amount of money that a team can spend on players' salaries. It exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both. Sever ...
of where these two deals go into play.
On August 25, 2009, the Seahawks signed running back
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James (; born August 1, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football at the University of Miami for the Miami Hurr ...
to a 1-year, $2 million deal. James last played with division rival
Arizona Cardinals for the previous three seasons and played a vital role in their playoff run last year. The Seahawks also signed veteran safety
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Marzell Milloy (born November 14, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons. He played college football for the Washington Huskies, and earned Al ...
to a one-year deal, who is expected to make a big impact to the team.
2009 NFL Draft
Seattle traded their 5th round draft pick to the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquar ...
for wide receiver
Keary Colbert
Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert (born May 21, 1982) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the wide receivers coach at the University of Florida.
Colbert played as a wide receiver and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers ...
, but received another 5th round draft pick from Detroit.
On draft day, the Seahawks traded away their 2nd round pick (37th overall) to the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquar ...
for their
2010 1st round pick. They also traded for
Chicago's 2nd round pick (49th overall) in return for both their 3rd and 4th round picks in the draft (68th and 105th respectively). Finally, the Seahawks traded for Philadelphia's 3rd round pick (91st overall) for their 2010 3rd round pick and their 5th and 7th round picks in the draft (137th and 213rd respectively).
Coaching staff and roster
Coaching staff
Final roster
* Starters in bold.
Team captains
*
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
*
Walter Jones
*
Lofa Tatupu
Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (born November 15, 1982) is a former American football linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an assistant linebackers coach with the Seattle Seahawks. He played college ...
*
Deon Grant
*
Lance Laury
*
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Divisional matchups have the NFC West playing the NFC North and the AFC South.
:Bold indicates division opponents.
Standings
Game Summaries
Preseason
Week P1: at San Diego Chargers
Week P2: vs. Denver Broncos
Week P3: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week P4: vs. Oakland Raiders
Regular season
Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
Head Coach
Jim Mora era began his coaching debut for the Seahawks with a game at home against division rival
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams were a professional American football team of the National Football League (NFL). They played in St. Louis from 1995 to the 2015 season, before moving back to Los Angeles, where the team had played from 1946 to 1994.
The arr ...
. Quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
and the offense struggled early, turning over the ball three times (two interceptions and one fumble) on the first quarter alone. After Rams kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
missed a 37-yard field goal for the lead, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to their first score of the game after he connected with tight end
John Carlson for a touchdown. With the second quarter coming to a close, St. Louis returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, only to have it overruled by a penalty. This gave another chance for the Seahawks to score, as Hasselbeck threw his second touchdown of the game to
Nate Burleson
Nathaniel Eugene Burleson (born August 19, 1981) is a Canadian-born television host, American football commentator, and former wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Nevada, Reno and was drafted into the National Footb ...
to put the Seahawks up 14–0 by halftime.
When the third quarter started, the Seahawks looked to increase its lead to win the game. Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to a 99-yard drive, capping it off 33-yard touchdown pass to Carlson.
Julius Jones sealed the win with a 62-yard touchdown (and rushing 119 in total) run to put Seattle up by 28. The Seahawks defense shut out the Rams, as they totaled only 247 total yards on offense and forcing two fumbles and three sacks. Seattle moved to 1–0 to start off the season, and beat the Rams for the ninth straight time.
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Coming off their shutout home win over the Rams, the Seahawks flew to
Candlestick Park
Candlestick Park was an outdoor stadium on the West Coast of the United States, located in San Francisco's Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 ...
for a Week 2 NFC West showdown with the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National ...
.
Seattle trailed early in the first quarter as 49ers kicker
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney (born March 22, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996. H ...
got a 37-yard field goal, along with running back
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore Sr. (born May 14, 1983) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. A member of the San Francisco 49ers during most of his career, he ranks third in NFL career rus ...
getting a 79-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks responded in the second quarter as kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
made a 36-yard field goal. San Francisco replied with Nedney making a 42-yard field goal. As the Seahawks looked to bounced back from the deficit, quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
received an injury as he was hit on the ground by 49ers linebacker
Patrick Willis
Patrick L. Willis (born January 25, 1985) is an American former football middle linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the 49ers in the first rou ...
. Hasselbeck left the game with cracked ribs, but Seattle closed out the half with backup
Seneca Wallace
Seneca Sinclair Wallace (born August 6, 1980) is a former American football quarterback and current assistant coach for John Paul II High School. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college ...
completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to running back
Julius Jones.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks deficit quickly increased as on the 49ers' first offensive play of the second half, Gore exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run. San Francisco closed the game in the fourth quarter as Nedney nailed a 39-yard field goal.
With the loss, Seattle fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and prepared for a Week 3 duel with the
Chicago Bears. Due to quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
's rib injury,
Seneca Wallace
Seneca Sinclair Wallace (born August 6, 1980) is a former American football quarterback and current assistant coach for John Paul II High School. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college ...
got the start for the game.
Seattle took an early lead in the first quarter with Wallace's 39-yard touchdown pass to running back
Julius Jones and kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
's 46-yard field goal. The Seahawks tacked on Mare's 37-yard field goal in the second quarter, but the Bears answered with quarterback
Jay Cutler
Jay Christopher Cutler (born April 29, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Van ...
's 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Greg Olsen.
Chicago took in the lead in the third quarter with Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Johnny Knox, followed by kicker
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul Gould III (; born December 6, 1982) is an American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played with the Chicago Bears from 2005 to 2015, during which he became the franchise's all ...
's 37-yard field goal. The Seahawks regained the lead in the fourth quarter with Mare's 39-yard and 46-yard field goal. However, the Bears got the last laugh as Cutler hooked up with wide receiver
Devin Hester
Devin Devorris Hester Sr. (born November 4, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He is widely regarded as the greatest return specialist i ...
on a 36-yard touchdown pass (with a successful 2-point conversion pass to wide receiver
Earl Bennett). Seattle tried to rally, but Chicago's defense held on for the win.
With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 1–2.
Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks flew to
Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 4 inter-conference duel with the
Indianapolis Colts. Seattle trailed as Colts running back
Donald Brown got a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by quarterback
Peyton Manning's 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Reggie Wayne
Reginald Wayne (born November 17, 1978) is a former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami, and was drafted ...
. The Seahawks got on the board with a 38-yard field goal from kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
, but Indianapolis closed out the half with Manning's 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Austin Collie
Austin Kirk Collie (born November 11, 1985) is a Canadian former professional gridiron football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round (127th overall) in the 2009 NFL D ...
.
Following running back
Joseph Addai
Joseph Kwaku Duah Addai Jr. ( ) (born May 3, 1983) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round (30th overall pick) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University b ...
's 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the Colts sealed the win with kicker
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri (born December 28, 1972) is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 24 seasons with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Considered one of the greatest ...
's 37-yard and 19-yard field goals. Seattle ended the scoring with quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
getting a 1-yard touchdown run and completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback
Owen Schmitt.
With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 1–3.
Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After missing two weeks with cracked ribs, quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
played for the first time since week two at San Francisco. Trying to snap a three-game losing streak, Hasselbeck started the offense off quickly, with
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
completing two field goals to put Seattle up by 6. The Seahawks defense also held its own, including a 4th-and-2 stop when the Jaguars threaten to score in the red zone. Later in the 2nd quarter, Hasselbeck found wide receiver
T. J. Houshmandzadeh for his first touchdown of the year, putting Seattle up 13–0. On their next offensive drive, Hasselbeck connected with
Nate Burleson
Nathaniel Eugene Burleson (born August 19, 1981) is a Canadian-born television host, American football commentator, and former wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Nevada, Reno and was drafted into the National Footb ...
for another touchdown, extending their lead to 20–0, which they took into halftime.
Starting the third quarter on offense,
David Garrard
David Douglas Garrard (born February 14, 1978) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at East Carolina and wa ...
and the Jaguars tried to put some points on the board. However, all of their hopes were dashed when defensive end
Cory Redding recovered a key fumble for 26 yards. Taking advantage of this, Hasselbeck again found Houshmandzadeh for his second touchdown to seal the game at 27–0. The Seahawks later scored again as Hasselbeck threw his fourth touchdown again to Burleson, while defensive end
Nick Reed
Nicholas Matthew Reed (born September 1, 1987) is a former American football defensive end.
Early years
As a senior at Mission Viejo High School, Reed was credited with 65 tackles, 10 quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior to ea ...
scored from 79 yards out from a fumble recovery, putting the Seahawks up 41–0.
With the win, the Seahawks improved to 2–3 for the season.
Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Fresh off their dominating win over the Jaguars, the Seahawks stayed at home for a Week 6 NFC West duel with the
Arizona Cardinals. Seattle trailed in the first quarter as Cardinals quarterback
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene Warner (born June 22, 1971) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. His career, which saw him ascend f ...
completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr. (born August 31, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver. Fitzgerald played in the National Football League for 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at University of Pittsburg ...
, followed by running back
Tim Hightower's 2-yard touchdown run. Arizona increased its lead in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal from kicker
Neil Rackers. The Seahawks then got on the board as kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
nailed a 28-yard field goal. However, the Cardinals took control in the second half as Warner found wide receiver
Steve Breaston on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, followed by Rackers' 31-yard field goal in the fourth.
With the loss, Seattle went into their bye week at 2–4.
Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks flew to
Cowboys Stadium
AT&T Stadium, formerly Cowboys Stadium, is a retractable-roof stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States. It serves as the home of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL), and was completed on May 27, 2009. It is also the hom ...
for a Week 8 showdown with the
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East divi ...
. In the first quarter, Seattle struck first as kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
got a 43-yard field goal. However, the Cowboys answered with quarterback
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro Romo (born April 21, 1980) is an American sportscaster and former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Eastern Illino ...
's 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Sam Hurd. Dallas increased their lead in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run from running back
Marion Barber. The Seahawks replied with quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
completing a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch Jr. (born July 18, 1979) is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League (NFL), who currently serves as director of player development and alumni relations at the University of Louisville. He was ...
, but Dallas came right back with Romo finding wide receiver
Roy Williams on a 7-yard touchdown pass.
The Cowboys took a huge lead with Romo's 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Miles Austin
Miles Jonathon Austin III (born June 30, 1984) is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for 10 seasons, ...
, followed by wide receiver
Patrick Crayton returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas closed out its scoring with a 40-yard field goal from kicker
Nick Folk
Nicholas Alexander Folk (born Niklaus Aleksandre Faulke, November 5, 1984) is an American football placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona, where he received first-tea ...
. Seattle tried to rally, but could only muster up Hasselbeck's 4-yard touchdown pass to fullback
Justin Griffith
Justin Montrel Griffith (born July 21, 1980) is a former Fullback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State.
Griffith has ...
.
With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 2–5.
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks went home for a Week 9 duel with the
Detroit Lions. Seattle trailed in the first quarter as Lions quarterback
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford (born February 7, 1988) is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, where he was a first-team All-American, and was selected ...
completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Brandon Pettigrew and a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Bryant Johnson
Bryant Andrew Johnson (born March 7, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals 17th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft and also played for the San Fran ...
, followed by kicker
Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson (born June 17, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a kicker who spent his entire 21-year career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football with the Wash ...
getting a 41-yard field goal. Seattle answered in the second quarter as running back
Julius Jones got a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
nailing a pair of 37-yard field goals.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks took the lead as Mare got a 24-yard field goal, while quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
hooked up with wide receiver
T. J. Houshmandzadeh on a 2-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion). Seattle increased their lead in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20-yard field goal. Detroit tried to rally as Hanson made a 50-yard field goal, but the Seahawks ended the scoring with cornerback
Josh Wilson returning an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.
With the win, Seattle improved to 3–5.
Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their home win over the Lions, the Seahawks flew to the
University of Phoenix Stadium
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, th ...
for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the
Arizona Cardinals. Seattle took flight in the first quarter as running back
Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett (born October 14, 1985) is an American former football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft ...
got an 11-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks added to their lead in the second quarter with quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end
John Carlson. The Cardinals answered with quarterback
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene Warner (born June 22, 1971) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals. His career, which saw him ascend f ...
completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Steve Breaston, yet Seattle came right back with a 32-yard field goal from kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
. Arizona closed out the half with kicker
Neil Rackers nailing a 27-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals tied the game with running back
Chris "Beanie" Wells getting a 10-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks responded in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20-yard field goal, but Arizona got the last laugh as Wells picked up a 13-yard touchdown run and Warner hooked up with wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr. (born August 31, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver. Fitzgerald played in the National Football League for 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at University of Pittsburg ...
on an 18-yard touchdown pass.
With the loss, Seattle fell to 3–6.
Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks flew to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for an Inter conference duel with the
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansi ...
.
Seattle trailed early in the second quarter when QB
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre ( ; born October 10, 1969) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. Favre had 321 consecutive starts from 1992 to 201 ...
completed three touchdown passes: One to WR
Percy Harvin
William Percival Harvin III (born May 28, 1988) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Florida, when the Gators won the BCS National Championship in 2006 and 2008, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings ...
for 23 yards, TE
Visanthe Shiancoe
Visanthe O. Shiancoe (; born June 18, 1980) is a British former American football tight end. After playing college football for Morgan State, he was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played for the Giant ...
for 8 yards and then to WR
Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian (born December 27, 1980) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State.
Berrian also played for the Minnes ...
for 3 yards. Then in the third quarter the margin increased as Favre hooked up with WR
Sidney Rice on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Then Seattle's kicker
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare (born June 6, 1973) is a former American football placekicker. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at MacMurray College and Syracuse. Mare, who was se ...
got a 40-yard field goal to avoid a shutout loss. In the fourth quarter the margin increased even further as QB
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris D'Andre Jackson (April 21, 1983 – April 12, 2020) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Jackson played college football for both Alabama State and Arkansas. He played professionally for the ...
made a 34-yard touchdown pass to WR
Sidney Rice, then Seattle has their first touchdown of this game when RB
Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett (born October 14, 1985) is an American former football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft ...
made a 1-yard run (With a failed 2-point conversion attempt).
With the loss, Seattle fell to 3–7.
Week 12: at St. Louis Rams
Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 14: at Houston Texans
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to break 2,000 rushing yards and also broke the record (held by
Marshall Faulk) of total yards from scrimmage at 2,509. Johnson rushed 36 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns; a 64-yard rushing score was called back on a holding penalty.
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the sixth ro ...
was 15–30 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one pick.
References
External links
2009 Seattle Seahawks season at Pro Football Reference2009 Seattle Seahawks season at ESPN
{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Seattle Seahawks Season
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks seasons
Seattle Seahawks