Seahawks History: Will This Year's Team Be Better Than the 2005 Version?

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Week 12 vs New York Giants (24-21): For the fourth straight week, Matt Hasselbeck was outthrown by the opposing QB. This time it was Eli Manning, who threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Hasselbeck, on the other hand, threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. So they had the same TD and INT amount but Manning threw for way more yards.

For once this season, the opposing running back rushed for more yards than Alexander, and that RB was Tiki Barber. However, Alexander had one touchdown and Barber did not record a touchdown. So this time, Hasselbeck and the Seahawks defense led them to a win.

Week 13 at Philadelphia (42-0): Coming into this Monday night game, a lot of people thought it would be a great, high-scoring game but that the Eagles would win. That was clearly not the case. The Seahawks offense scored 35 points in the first quarter. Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks offense didn't have to do anything because the defense led by Lofa Tatupu recorded four interceptions. That's all they needed.

Week 14 vs. San Francisco (41-3): For the second straight week, Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks defense led them to 11-2 record at the time. Matt threw for 226 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. But the Seahawks defense, for the second straight week came up big allowing only eight first downs to the Seahawks 31.

Week 15 at Tennessee (28-24): Matt Hasselbeck really stepped up, throwing for 285 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Opposing QB Steve McNair threw for 310 yards but only two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

So once again, it was up to SA to earn the MVP award, and he did by rushing for 172 yards and one lone touchdown. That's all that was needed for the Seahawks to get their 10th straight win.

Week 16 vs. Indianapolis (28-13): In what really was a Payton Manning-less game Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander led the Seahawks. Matt threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander added 139 yards rushing and two touchdowns. That's all that was needed to win their 11th straight game.

The Seahawks lost 23-17 in week 17 to the Green Bay Packers which snapped their 11-game winning streak.

Let's look at the tail of the two Seahawks teams. The 2005 Super Bowl team and the 2009 fired up and aiming for a Super Bowl team.

In 2005 the Seahawks had QB Matt Hasselbeck (still here in 2009), RB Shaun Alexander (now replaced by Julius Jones), WR's Joe Jurevicius and Darryl Jackson and TE Jeremy Stevens on offence. They scored 452 points in 2005.

For 2009 the Seahawks will have QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Julius Jones (OC Greg Knapp will make him great), WR's T.J Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and Nate Burleson and TE John Carlson.

Comparing the two offences, it looks like the 2009 offence should be better. Mostly because they have a lot better WR's and a great TE in John Carlson. And who knows maybe offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will make Julius Jones the next Shaun Alexander, I think we all would love that.

In 2005 the Seahawks had DE Grant Winstrom, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, Marcus Trufant, Andre Dyson and Michael Boulware as the key players on defense.

For 2009 the Seahawks will have DE Patrick Kerney, Tatupu, Hill, Curry, Trufant, Lucas, Grant and possibly Mebane.

Comparing the two defenses, if the trio of LB's in Hill, Curry and Tatupu all do great and the defense stays completely healthy, then I think that the 2009 defense will be better. But its more of a "can they stay healthy."

In 2005, the Seahawks head coach was future HOF Mike Holmgren who was more of a dictator and a "bend but not break" team. While in 2009 the Seahawks head coach is Jim Mora, who has learned from Holmgren the past two season. Mora is more of a players coach and a aggressive type of coach.

I have to much respect for Mike Holmgren to say that Mora is the better coach. Sense this is his first season as the head coach, the Seahawks will have to prove that they can play Mora's style of play.

I think they will but Mora has some big shoes to fill from Holmgren, who spent 10 seasons in Seattle and led them to their only Super Bowl. I think Mora has the chance if everything goes right to lead Seattle to their second Super Bowl this season.

But they are going to have to earn it.

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