Now The Seattle Seahawks will be returning to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2005 after defeating the New Orleans Saints, 23-15. The Saints would go scoreless all the way up to the 4th quarter where they would also recover an onside kick to make for an exciting finish.
Marshawn Lynch helped lead his team to victory, rushing for 140 yards on 28 carries and 2 TD’s, his first 100-yard game since playing Atlanta in week 10. The Seahawks defensive line was dominant the whole game starting with Michael Bennett, who forced two fumbles while racking up six combined tackles.
The game started with the return of Percy Harvin, who was unable make it out of the first half after suffering a concussion. Harvin still lead the team in receiving with three receptions for 21 yards and also one rush for 9 yards. They seemed to want to get Harvin going early which is why he was able to still fill up the stat sheet, but he would take two big hits that each knocked him out of the game, the second was a big hit in the endzone that would send him out with a concussion.
The Seahawks started the game out scoring field goals on their first two possessions to lead 6-0 going into the second quarter. The Saints had a chance to tie it up at three apiece but would miss on a 45-yard attempt that would swing wide left.
The second quarter started out with Bennett forcing a fumble on Mark Ingram on the Saints 24-yard line that would set up a 15-yard rushing touchdown for Lynch. The Seahawks took control for the majority of the quarter and would take up over nine minutes off the clock and have a comfortable lead heading into halftime, 16-0
Both teams would go scoreless in the 3rd quarter with the Saints defense stepping up and forced Seattle to go 3-and-out on two of their three drives of the quarter.
The Saints would finally break paydirt in the start of the 4th quarter with a rushing touchdown by Khiry Robinson. Robinson was filling in for a Pierre Thomas who was out because of a chest injury. They would convert a two-point converson with a run by Mark Ingram to give them their first points, 8-16.
The Saints would miss another field goal attempt midway thru the 4th quarter and Seattle would follow that with a 31-yard rushing touchdown by Lynch to really put the pressure on New Orleans. The Saints
weren’t done just yet, and would respond with a touchdown of their own on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston to bring the Saints within eight, 15-23.
That would be the final points put on the board although the Saints did recover an onside kick attempt to give them one last chance with 26 seconds left.The game would end on a 10-second run off from a forward pass penalty on Colston to bring an end to the New Orleans Saints season.
Marques Colston was the leading receiver for both teams with 11 receptions for 144 yards and his one touchdown. Drew Brees had a decent game throwing for over 300 yards for the 9th time this season. Tight end Jimmy Graham was held to only one reception for 8 yards and was seen on video arguing with Seattle’s Bruce Irvin before the game started.
The Seahawks continued to do what they do best and that’s running the ball, rushing on 62% plays. Russell Wilson finished off his day with 103 yards, and also got 16 rushing yards on three attempts. Wilson seemed to be more of a game manager for Seattle and only had to throw the ball 18 times and was unable to get a touchdown, pass or rush, for the first time since week 6.
The Seahawks will move on to the NFC Championship where they will be playing their NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers for a third time this year.
