Visitor: Seattle Seahawks

Home: Green Bay Packers

Date: January 4, 2004

NFC Wildcard Playoff Game

Scoring:

Team 1 2 3 4 OT Final

SEA 3 3 14 7 0 27

GB 0 13 0 14 6 33

Visitor playmakers:

RB Shaun Alexander

Home playmakers:

DE Aaron Kampman, DE Cletidus Hunt, TE Bubba Franks, RB Ahman Green, CB Al Harris

Network: FOX (NFL Network rebroadcast)

Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth

Pregame: Yes

Halftime: No

Postgame: No

Commercials: No

Grade: Excellent. NFL Network crawl detracts somewhat

Notes: With Green Bay looking to right things at home after their first-ever playoff loss at Lambeau Field eliminated them from the 2002-03 playoffs, and with the Seahawks having so many problems playing on the road this season, it appeared there was little chance Seattle would compete with the Packers, much less beat them. But after a hard fought battle throughout regulation, it was Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck proclaiming over the official’s open microphone after winning the coin toss in overtime, “We’ll take the ball and we’re going to score!”

The Seahawks avoided a lot of the problems that plagued them on the road to take this game into the extra period, but their playoff bubble burst when Packers cornerback Al Harris slipped in front of a sideline pass by Hasselbeck and took the interception 52 yards for the game-winning score. Harris was tackled by his teammates in a wild celebration, but he managed to slip away for a victory lap around the field.

After a back-and-forth battle throughout the second half, Seattle tied the game with 51 seconds remaining on Shaun Alexander’s third one-yard touchdown run of the game. The score was set up by a six-play, 67 yard drive that was keyed by a 34-yard pass to wide receiver Bobby Engram that moved the Seahawks inside the ten yard line.

Both teams failed to move the ball on their first possessions in the extra period, both going three-and-out, but Seattle had picked up two first downs and appeared to be on their way to a game winning drive when Hasselbeck released the ill-fated throw. The interception ended what had been a tremendous effort by the Seahawks QB, who completed 25-of-45 passes for 305 yards.

Brett Favre continued his hot play with a 26-for-38 performance for 319 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions and wide receiver Javon Walker stepped up to catch five balls for 111 yards, including a 44-yarder that helped set up a touchdown in the second quarter.

With the victory, Green Bay advanced to play the NFC East Division Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

Running time: 2:14 (1 disc)