"Oh no!"
It was in the bag, Seahawks fans. You were one yard away from back-to-back Super Bowl titles and NFL immortality. The 12th Fan was preparing for another victory parade down Fourth Avenue and pondering which championship shirt to wear for the occasion.
You couldn't have written a better ending to the script, either. Jermaine Kearse makes perhaps the greatest catch in Super Bowl history, setting you up for the game-winning score. Even better, it was against the New England Patriots, a team shrouded in controversy and the recipients of numerous heartbreaking Super Bowl moments like the David Tyree catch and Mario Manningham sideline grab. Now, there would be the "Kearse Catch," the perfect name to stick to a franchise seemingly cursed in recent Super Bowl play.
So there you were at the doorstep of victory with the game's best running back, Marshawn Lynch, ready to cement your legacy and crown you as the new NFL dynasty. But instead of handing it off, your coach decided to pass the ball. And then... well, you know what happened next.
The wounds are still fresh, and the "what if" scenarios may be replaying over and over in your mind. But as disappointing as this loss was for you, Seattle, take comfort in the fact that this team is not going to succumb to one Super Bowl loss. A bad play call does not erase the franchise you have built nor will it come to define you as a team.
It was a bad play, a tough loss, but that's it. If any team is capable of overcoming a loss like that it's the Seahawks. And looking ahead to 2015, there's a lot to be excited about.
Hey, Mr. Wilson
Marshawn Lynch's future remains up in the air, but one thing is certain this offseason: Russell Wilson is going to get paid. Big time. The guy is 6-2 in the postseason over his three-year career with one Super Bowl victory in two appearances. He is 10-1 against Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, including 3-0 against Aaron Rodgers and 2-0 against Peyton Manning. He is on the verge of being an elite quarterback. Many will argue that Wilson is not worthy of being the highest paid player in the NFL, and whether you agree or not, there's no denying that Wilson has transformed the quarterback position with his ability to make plays in and out of the pocket. You saw in Super Bowl XLIX how untouchable Wilson was on certain plays, toying with the Patriots defense as he danced around the field, always looking to pass first.
But for all his athletic ability, what defines Wilson the most is his leadership. The guy exudes confidence and commands respect through his play and work ethic. Again, this was only his third season in the league! It's scary to think that Wilson has room for improvement, but if he can make the plays now without an elite number one receiver, imagine what he'll be like when Seattle surrounds him with the necessary talent. Yes, a lot depends on his contract and how it will affect the salary cap, but having a guy like Wilson leading your team for the next 15 years isn't a bad thing.
For Pete's Sake
You can disagree with Pete Carroll's decision to throw the ball all you want, but he made the call he thought would secure a win for his squad. As much backlash as Carroll may be getting from the media and Seahawks fans alike, Seattle should be grateful that they have Carroll patrolling their sideline.
Bad play call aside, Carroll has done for Seattle what Bill Belichick has done for New England. Since Carroll and GM John Schneider teamed up in 2010, the Seahawks have gone from a mediocre team to a premier NFL franchise. Carroll's happy-go-lucky attitude has rubbed off on his team, too. They not only take pride in what they do on the field, but they have fun doing it. His players love and appreciate him, and when you have a coach who teaches through positive reinforcement the way Carroll does, you are going to have an easy time attracting players to Seattle.
Did I mention the defense?
Oh, yeah, your defense is pretty good. I know the roster was riddled with injuries in Super Bowl XLIX (namely to Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman), but given that your banged up defense intercepted Tom Brady twice and kept your team in the game throughout is saying something. And this defense isn't going anywhere. With guys like Sherman, Thomas, Chancellor and Michael Bennett locked up for the foreseeable future, Seattle will be a defensive force for years to come. In 2014, they became the fourth team in NFL history to lead the league in scoring defense and total defense (yards allowed) for two-straight seasons. And, in the eight games prior to the Super Bowl, the Seahawks defense allowed just 9.8 points per game. 9.8. This defense has a lot left in the tank, health permitting, which means every year is a potential championship year for Seattle.
So forget about Super Bowl XLIX, Seattle. It was a blip on the radar; a mild speed bump in the road. One interception isn't going to demolish what you've built in the Emerald City. 2015 will be a statement year for your Seahawks. And an angry Seattle team is something worth watching.
Colin J. Liotta is a Digital Features Editor at NFL.com. He's also a lover of comic books and abides by Dr. Egon Spengler's warning not to cross the streams. You can follow him on Twitter @TheSportsHero.
