Analysis: NFC Championship Game History on Seahawks’ Side
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a 35 yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson (not pictured) for the game winning touchdown ahead of Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) during the overtime period in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images [/caption]
When the Los Angeles Rams visit Lumen Field on Sunday for the NFC Championship game, they’ll have two opponents.
The Seattle Seahawks. And History.
It’s a cruel world for road teams in conference championship games. Since Seattle hosted its first one following the 2005 regular season, the home team has moved on to the Super Bowl 30 of 40 times. The Seahawks, who will play in a conference title game for the fifth time in franchise history 3:30 PM PT on Sunday, are 3-0 in home championship matchups.
Here’s a trip down memory lane of Seattle’s four previous conference title games.
January 8, 1984
If you remember this one, you’re currently getting lots of AARP flyers in the mail.
Dave Krieg took over the starting job at quarterback midseason from the franchise’s first starting quarterback, Jim Zorn. First-year head coach Chuck Knox led the team to a 9-7 record and the franchise’s first playoff berth. Rookie running back Curt Warner rushed for 1,449 yards that season.
A week after crushing Denver 31-7 in the Kingdome, Seattle stunned the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl, picking off rookie quarterback Dan Marino twice to advance to the Seahawks’ first — and last — AFC title game.
That game did not go so well. The Seahawks traveled to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face the then-LA Raiders. Around the country, there was a general “Isn’t that cute?” sentiment about the little city on the upper left corner of the map having a team get so far. In the Pacific Northwest, however, there was a quiet confidence. Seattle had beaten the Raiders twice during the 1983 regular season. But in front of 91,445 fans, the Seahawks threw five interceptions. Krieg was benched after his third pick, and Zorn entered to throw two more. Seattle, outgained 405 yards to 197 thanks to Jim Plunkett and Marcus Allen, fell behind 27-0 and ultimately lost 30-10.
The Raiders went on to decimate the Washington Redskins 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII. Another 22 years passed before Seattle saw another conference title game. Seattle made the playoffs following the 1983, ‘84, ‘87, and ‘88 seasons under Knox, who was dismissed following the 1991 season. The Seahawks, under owner Ken Behring, attempted to move to LA in the mid-1990s.
Seattle re-emerged as relevant under new owner Paul Allen, and coach Mike Holmgren finally got the team back to the postseason in 1999.
January 22, 2006
In its 31st season, Seattle earned its first No. 1 playoff seed after finishing the regular season 13-3. Running back Shaun Alexander won MVP that year, running behind future Hall of Fame offensive linemen Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson.
After a 20-10 win over Washington in the divisional round, the Seahawks dominated the conference championship game. Seattle scored first on a 28-yard TD reception by backup quarterback Seneca Wallace, and went on to build a 17-0 lead. Carolina’s Steve Smith scored on a 59-yard punt return, but Seattle again outscored the Panthers 17-0 to secure its first Super Bowl Berth after the 34-14 victory.
Alexander carried the ball 34 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including one where Jones famously dished out a punishing downfield block on the perimeter in front of him. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw two TDs, and finished 20-of-28 passing for 219 yards. Lofa Tatupu, Marquand Manuel, and Michael Boulware each intercepted Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme.
The Seahawks went on to lose Super Bowl XL to the Steelers 21-10, in part because of Manuel’s injury and Jerramy Stevens dropped passes. And also, a few flags.
January 19, 2014
The Tip.
The play that’s on the Mount Rushmore of greatest plays in Seattle sports history.
A game that began as one of the ugliest in modern conference championship game history ended as a thriller. San Francisco led 10-0 in the second quarter after 49ers running back Anthony Dixon plunged into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Eventually, in the third quarter, Marshawn Lynch tied the score 10-10 with a 40-yard TD run.
The Seahawks took their first lead, 20-17, with a fourth-down play of their own, a 35-yard TD pass from Russell Wilson to Golden Tate on fourth-and-7. Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka tacked on a 47-yard field goal for a precarious 23-17 edge with 3:37 to go.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Seahawks 18. With 30 seconds to go, he tried a pass to receiver Michael Crabtree in the end zone. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tipped it, Malcolm Smith picked it, and Seattle went on to demolish the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
January 18, 2015
Somewhere, there are Seahawks fans out there who left this game early and will take that information to their graves. In their defense, it was a tough one to watch. Wilson threw four interceptions to the Green Bay Packers — two of which came off the hands of Seattle receiver Jermaine Kearse — as the Seahawks fell behind 16-0.
The Seahawks finally got on the board with a TD pass, but not from Wilson. In the third quarter, facing a fourth-and-10 at the Packers 19, head coach Pete Carroll sent out the field goal unit. Punter Jon Ryan, the holder for field goals, rolled out and threw a TD pass to tackle Garry Gilliam.
The Packers led 19-7 when they punted to Seattle with 4 minutes to go. Wilson capped a seven-play drive with a 1-yard TD run, and the Seahawks trailed 19-14 with 2:09 left. Hauschka’s onside kick went off the hands of Packers tight end Brandon Bostick, and was recovered by Seahawks receiver Chris Matthews.
Four plays later, Lynch rumbled 24 yards for the Seahawks first lead with 1:25 to go. Seattle went for 2, and Wilson retreated and heaved the ball into the end zone, where it was caught by tight end Luke Willson for a 22-19 lead. Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers answered with a field goal drive to send the game into overtime.
The Seahawks won the toss, and Wilson and Kearse eventually sent the Seahawks to their second straight Super Bowl with a 35-yard TD connection and a 28-22 win.
January 25, 2026
It remains to be seen how the Seahawks will fare in their latest NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. But if the past is any indication, playing in front of the 12s has been quite the benefit for Seattle, and Mike Macdonald’s crew will be hoping to keep that unblemished track record going against an NFC West foe.
