2013 Seattle Seahawks season

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2013 Seattle Seahawks season
Owner
Earl Thomas (1st team)
SS Kam Chancellor (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2013 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 38th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Pete Carroll. With the Seahawks tenth win in the eleventh week of the season, the team secured double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Their 13–3 regular season record is tied with the 2005 season for the best in franchise history. Seattle's defense in 2013 is regarded by many to be one of the best in NFL history.[1]

The Seahawks clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with their 13–3 record. The Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints 23–15 in the Divisional round and the San Francisco 49ers 23–17 in the NFC Championship. In Super Bowl XLVIII, they defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 for their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.[2] Of Seattle's thirteen wins, eight of them were decided by eleven points or more, with their season-best margin being a 45–17 win against the Jaguars. There were eight instances of the Seahawks allowing two touchdowns or less. The Seahawks allowed just 14.4 points per game in the regular season, a team record still standing today. The defense led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39), the first team to lead all three categories since the 1985 Chicago Bears.[3] The Seahawks finished the season with a point differential of +186, a team record still standing today.

They ranked #18 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[4][5]

2013 draft class

Main article:
2013 NFL Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
2 62[b] Christine Michael RB Texas A&M
3 87 Jordan Hill DT Penn State
4 123 Chris Harper WR Kansas State
5 137[b] Jesse Williams DT Alabama
138[c] Tharold Simon CB LSU
158 Luke Willson TE Rice
6[b] 194 Spencer Ware RB LSU
7[a] 220[d] Ryan Seymour
G
 Vanderbilt
231 Ty Powell LB Harding
241[e]
Jared Smith
 DT New Hampshire
242[e] Michael Bowie
OT
 Northeastern State

Notes

2014 selection to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for wide receiver Percy Harvin
.
^[b] The Seahawks traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' second-, fifth- and sixth- round selections — Nos. 62, 165 and 199 overall. The latter two selections were traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the Lions' fifth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
^[c] The Seahawks acquired this fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent linebacker Aaron Curry to the Oakland Raiders.
^[d] The Seahawks acquired this seventh-round selection in a trade that sent linebacker Barrett Ruud to the New Orleans Saints.
Compensatory selection
.

Staff

2013 Seattle Seahawks staff

Front office

  • Chairman – Paul Allen
  • President – Peter McLoughlin
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – John Schneider
  • Senior Personnel Executive – Scot McCloughan
  • Senior Vice President of Football Administration – Matt Thomas
  • Director of Pro Personnel – Trent Kirchner
  • Director of College Scouting – Scott Fitterer
  • Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Dan Morgan

Head coaches

  • Executive Vice president of football operations/head coach – Pete Carroll
  • Assistant head coach/offensive line – Tom Cable

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Chris Carlisle
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mondray Gee
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jamie Yancher

Final roster

2013 Seattle Seahawks final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 12 inactive, 8 practice squad

  • Starters in bold.
  • (*) Denotes players that were selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 August 8 at San Diego Chargers W 31–10 1–0
Qualcomm Stadium
 54,709 Recap
2 August 17 Denver Broncos W 40–10 2–0
CenturyLink Field
 67,635 Recap
3 August 23 at Green Bay Packers W 17–10 3–0 Lambeau Field 74,030 Recap
4 August 29 Oakland Raiders W 22–6 4–0
CenturyLink Field
 67,341 Recap

Regular season

Divisional matchups: the NFC West played the NFC South and the AFC South.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 8 at Carolina Panthers W 12–7 1–0 Bank of America Stadium 73,294 Recap
2 September 15 San Francisco 49ers W 29–3 2–0
CenturyLink Field
 68,338 Recap
3 September 22 Jacksonville Jaguars W 45–17 3–0 CenturyLink Field 68,087 Recap
4 September 29 at Houston Texans W 23–20 (OT) 4–0
Reliant Stadium
 71,756 Recap
5 October 6 at Indianapolis Colts L 28–34 4–1 Lucas Oil Stadium 66,608 Recap
6 October 13 Tennessee Titans W 20–13 5–1 CenturyLink Field 68,127 Recap
7 October 17 at Arizona Cardinals W 34–22 6–1
University of Phoenix Stadium
 61,200 Recap
8 October 28 at St. Louis Rams W 14–9 7–1
Edward Jones Dome
 55,966 Recap
9 November 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–24 (OT) 8–1 CenturyLink Field 67,873 Recap
10 November 10 at Atlanta Falcons W 33–10 9–1 Georgia Dome 70,309 Recap
11 November 17 Minnesota Vikings W 41–20 10–1 CenturyLink Field 68,235 Recap
12 Bye
13 December 2 New Orleans Saints W 34–7 11–1 CenturyLink Field 68,387 Recap
14 December 8 at San Francisco 49ers L 17–19 11–2 Candlestick Park 69,732 Recap
15 December 15 at New York Giants W 23–0 12–2 MetLife Stadium 79,691 Recap
16 December 22 Arizona Cardinals L 10–17 12–3 CenturyLink Field 68,266 Recap
17 December 29 St. Louis Rams W 27–9 13–3 CenturyLink Field 68,264 Recap
Bold indicates division opponents.


Standings

Division

NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Seattle Seahawks 13 3 0 .813 4–2 10–2 417 231 W1
(5) San Francisco 49ers 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 406 272 W6
Arizona Cardinals 10 6 0 .625 2–4 6–6 379 324 L1
St. Louis Rams 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 348 364 L1

Conference

NFC[6]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1 Seattle Seahawks West 13 3 0 .813 4–2 10–2 .490 .445 W1
2 Carolina Panthers South 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .494 .451 W3
3 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .453 .391 W2
4 Green Bay Packers North 8 7 1 .531 3–2–1 6–5–1 .453 .371 W1
Wild cards
5 San Francisco 49ers West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .494 .414 W6
6 New Orleans Saints South 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .516 .455 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Arizona Cardinals West 10 6 0 .625 2–4 6–6 .531 .444 L1
8[a] Chicago Bears North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 4–8 .465 .469 L2
9 Dallas Cowboys East 8 8 0 .500 5–1 7–5 .484 .363 L1
10[b][c] New York Giants East 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .520 .366 W2
11[d] Detroit Lions North 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .457 .402 L4
12 St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 .551 .446 L1
13 Minnesota Vikings North 5 10 1 .344 2–3–1 4–7–1 .512 .450 W1
14[e] Atlanta Falcons South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .553 .313 L2
15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .574 .391 L3
16 Washington Redskins East 3 13 0 .188 0–6 1–11 .516 .438 L8
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ Chicago defeated Dallas head-to-head (Week 14, 45–28).
  2. ^ The NY Giants and Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
  3. ^ The NY Giants defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 16, 23–20 (OT)).
  4. ^ Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
  5. ^ Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Game summaries

Preseason

Week P1: at San Diego Chargers

Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 101431
Chargers 3 0 0710

at

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Week P2: vs. Denver Broncos

Preseason Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 0310
Seahawks 17 16 7040

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle

Week P3: at Green Bay Packers

Preseason Week Three: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 0 7717
Packers 3 0 7010

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: August 23
  • Game time: 7:06pm local
  • Game weather: clear, 73 °F (23 °C), 57% humidity, wind SE 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 74,030
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV: CBS
  • Gamecenter, Gamebook

Week P4: vs. Oakland Raiders

Preseason Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 3 006
Seahawks 10 6 3322

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle

Regular season

Week 1: at Carolina Panthers

Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 3 3612
Panthers 0 7 007

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their 2013 campaign with a hard-fought, ugly win over the Carolina Panthers, 12–7. This game marked Russell Wilson's first 300-yard passing game, and Cam Newton's worst career performance, posting 125 yards through the air, a career low.

The first quarter was scoreless, with both sides exchanging a couple of punts. On their third possession of the game, in the second quarter, Seattle drove into the red zone, capping it with a

Steve Smith for a 3-yard TD. Seattle responded with a drive to around the Carolina 27 yard line, but Charles Godfrey sacked Russell Wilson
and stripped the football, which Carolina recovered. So the first half ended 7–3, in favor of Carolina.

The second half began with a defensive battle. Hauschka made a 40-yard field goal, after a drive that lasted over 4 minutes, cutting the lead to 7–6. After forcing Carolina to punt midway through the fourth quarter, Seattle's offense produced its finest drive of the day. A couple of

Earl Thomas
caused him to fumble inside the 10 yard line.

Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Game information

In week 2, the Seahawks took on their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to the season, NFL analysts[who?] rated this rivalry as the top upcoming rivalry, as well as the top rivalry of the decade. Both teams proved that point, when they had an arms race in the off-season, Seattle picking up Percy Harvin and San Francisco picking Anquan Boldin in the off-season, among others. Last season, the teams were 1–1 against each other, Seattle being the better team, as they blew out the Niners 42–13 in the last meeting in Seattle, coincidentally, also on Sunday Night Football. It was also a day that Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick appeared to bet an eyebrow, with the loser shaving his eyebrow; this was later revealed to be a publicity stunt.[7] Finally, it was a day where former Seahawk Shaun Alexander would raise the 12th man flag.

The game began quietly though, as both sides failed to establish a rhythm. The game was delayed midway through the first quarter due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the second such case in the 2013 season (Ravens-Broncos kickoff game in week 1 was the first). After getting back onto the field, the 49ers blocked a Seahawks punt and got the ball in Seattle territory. However, Seattle claimed a whistle was heard from the crowd, which confused the linemen and the punter. That claim was later justified by NBC analyst

Eric Reid
, and the tug of war continued into the second quarter.

All was quiet until midway through the second quarter, where fullback Bruce Miller was caught holding in the endzone, the result of which was a safety, and a Seattle 2–0 lead. Later on, defensive end Cliff Avril strip sacked Kaepernick and K. J. Wright recovered for Seattle, the result of which was a Stephen Hauschka 30-yard field goal. Halftime came with a small 5–0 Seahawks lead. The game was pretty dark and messy at that point, the only bright side being Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch.

In the third quarter, the Seahawks came out roaring. On third and 12, Wilson connected with receiver Doug Baldwin for a 51-yard gain to inside the 49ers 25 yard line. A few plays later, Lynch took it to the house on a 14-yard run, 12–0 Seattle. The 49ers responded with a drive to the Seattle 6-yard line, capped of by Phil Dawson 21-yard field goal, that included a 28-yard scramble by Kaepernick, 12–3 Seahawks. However, that would be it for the Niners, and the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks demolished the Niners on all phases of play. It started with Wilson hitting Lynch for a 7-yard score on third down. A few plays into the Niners next drive, Kaepernick was intercepted by Richard Sherman, who took it to the 49ers 25-yard line. That resulted in a 37-yard Hauschka field goal. On the ensuing Niners drive, Kaepernick was intercepted again, this time by safety Kam Chancellor, who had signed a contract extension earlier in the year. Lynch scored on a 2-yard run on the next play. Seattle led 29–3. The 49ers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Seattle recovered.

Seattle won, in convincing style, silencing any critics. The 12th man also broke a Guinness world record, for the loudest outdoor stadium. Yet again, Seattle dominated on SNF, and Pete Carroll improved to 3–4 overall against the Niners, and 2–3 against bitter rival Jim Harbaugh. Seattle was now 2–0, and still unbeaten at home.

Week 3: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Three: Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 0 10717
Seahawks 7 17 14745

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Game information

The Seahawks entered week 3 on top of the NFC to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars who were on the opposite end of the AFC. This game did not garner much attention, considering the fact that it was a "best vs worst" game. However, that didn't change Seattle's positive "1–0" mentality to the game.

Seattle opened up the game with a punt. After forcing a Jacksonville three and out, on a drive which included a Clinton McDonald sack, Russell Wilson marched the Seahawks right down the field, on a drive that included a 27-yard run by Marshawn Lynch, and on third and goal from the 1-yard line, hit tight end Zach Miller for a touchdown, and an early 7–0 lead.

Picking up from where they left off in the first quarter, Seattle took their first drive of the second quarter, where Wilson connected with Miller for a 4-yard touchdown pass, the duo's second of the day. After a Stephen Hauschka 21-yard field goal on the next drive, the game got quiet until the Jaguars final drive of the half, where Chad Henne was intercepted by linebacker Bobby Wagner, with under a minute left to play. Wilson then made some beautiful completions to receivers Golden Tate and Sidney Rice in lightning fast succession, the latter of whom caught an 11-yard pass for a touchdown with 10 seconds left on the clock, to send Seattle up 24–0 at the half.

On the Seahawks first drive of the second half, they picked up were they left off, as Wilson hit rice for a 23-yard score, marking Wilson's fourth TD pass of the day, tying a career-high, and putting the Hawks up 31–0. On the ensuing drive, however, Wilson was picked off by linebacker Paul Posluszny, who returned it to the Seattle 2-yard line, where Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew punched it in on the next play, 31–7 Seattle. That was the last time Wilson touched the ball. Backup Tarvaris Jackson took over and drove Seattle to the Jaguars 35-yard line, not missing a single completion on the drive. He then threw a TD pass to Doug Baldwin, adding to the lead, 38–7 Seattle.

Seattle then shut its system off, which allowed Henne to hit receiver

Cecil Shorts III for a couple of long completions on the Jaguars next couple of drives, racking up 10 points, including a fourth-quarter run by Jordan Todman
, his first career TD, 38–17 Seattle. Jackson led the Seahawks downfield, scoring on a 5-yard scramble, re-establishing a big lead, 45–17.

Seattle started 3–0 for the first time since 2006, and the first time in the Pete Carroll era. Seattle is still unbeaten at home, with a 10–0 record including last year.

Week 4: at Houston Texans

Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Seahawks 3 0 314323
Texans 0 20 00020

at

Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Seahawks led 3–0 after the first quarter, but the Texans scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter, building a 20–3 halftime lead. However, the Seahawks outscored the Texans 17–0 in the third and fourth quarters. With less than three minutes to go, and the Texans leading 20–13, Matt Schaub's pass on 3rd down was picked off by Richard Sherman and returned 58 yards for a pick six, allowing the Seahawks to tie the game and force overtime. The Seahawks would go on to win the game in overtime by a final score of 23–20. With the win, the Seahawks would open the season with a 4–0 record for the first time in franchise history.

Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts

Game information

This would be the first meeting between quarterbacks

2012 NFL Draft
. Though Wilson and the Seahawks maintained a lead throughout the first three quarters, Luck led the Colts back, taking the lead and never letting go in the 4th. It would be the first loss for the Seahawks in the season, dropping their record to 4–1. The Colts punted and the Seahawks drove down the field and scored a field goal to go up 3–0. After another Indy three-and-out, Russell Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate to take a 10–0 lead. Then another Indy punt was blocked and bounced out of the endzone to extend the lead to 12–0. Seattle punted to Indy when Andrew Luck threw a 73-yard touchdown to T.Y. Hilton to make the score 12–7. Seattle drove into field goal range but a 48-yard field goal was blocked and returned for a touchdown by the Colts. Indy led 14–12 until Wilson found Jermaine Kearse to give Seattle a 19–14 lead. Luck led the Colts downfield and they kicked a field goal to make it 19–17 at the half. Seattle kicked another field goal to make it 22–17. Indianapolis fumbled and led to a 25–17 Seahawks lead. Luck then found Hilton in the endzone but the two-point-conversion failed leaving the score at 25–23. Seattle then kicked a 4th field goal to extend their lead to 28–23. Indy scored a touchdown to make it 31–28 and then a field goal to make it 34–28 final.

Week 6: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Six: Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 3 7 0313
Seahawks 0 7 31020

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Game information

Following their loss to the Colts, the Seahawks returned to CenturyLink field to host the Tennessee Titans. The Seahawks allowed a field goal from Titans kicker Rob Bironas, but a second quarter touchdown from running back Marshawn Lynch caused the Seahawks to retake the lead. The Seahawks attempted to extend their lead at the end of the quarter with a field goal. With their kicker Stephen Hauschka in the locker room with a potential injury, usual holder Jon Ryan filled in the kicker position, and reserve safety Chris Maragos was asked to hold the ball for the field goal attempt. Maragos however fumbled the snap, which was recovered by Titans special teamer Jason McCourty and run back 77 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks then entered halftime behind 7–10.

During the 3rd quarter, the Seahawks held the Titans scoreless while scoring a field goal of their own, tying the game. An additional field goal during the 4th put the Seahawks ahead again. On the first play of the next drive, Fitzpatrick threw an interception to Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. The Seahawks capitalized by with another touchdown from Lynch. The Seahawks would only allow another field goal from the Titans, and the win brought their record to 5–1.

Week 7: at Arizona Cardinals

Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 10 14334
Cardinals 0 10 3922

at

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information

Playing on

Earl Thomas
.

Week 8: at St. Louis Rams

Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 7014
Rams 3 0 339

at

Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
Game information

The Seahawks defeated the Rams 14–9 in a Monday Night Football thriller. The Rams were successful at limiting the Seahawks offense, holding running back Marshawn Lynch to a season low of only 23 yards and sacking quarterback Russell Wilson seven times. After holding the Rams to a field goal in the first quarter, the Seahawks went ahead with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate.

The Rams responded in the third quarter with another field goal, cutting down the Seahawks' lead to 1. After an incomplete pass to Jermaine Kearse on the first play of the next drive, Wilson threw an 80-yard touchdown to Golden Tate. It was the longest play of either player's career. On his way towards the end zone, Tate turned and sarcastically waved towards Rams safety Rodney McLeod. Though the touchdown would count, the Seahawks would be penalized for taunting during the kickoff. Carroll chastised Tate after the penalty occurred, and Tate was fined $7,875 after the game.

After the Seahawks allowed an additional Rams field goal, the game came down to the final drive. The Rams, in possession of the ball with 5:42 left in the game, managed to drive the ball all the way to the 6 yard line with less than 1:20 left on the clock. A missed throw from Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens and a 4-yard run from Rams running back Daryl Richardson allowed the Rams a 3rd and Goal at the 2-yard line, but a defensive offsides call on Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons cut the distance in half. The Seahawks stopped an additional run from Richardson, and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher called a timeout with only 4 seconds left in the game. Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner successfully defended Clemens's final pass towards Brian Quick, sealing the Seahawks victory and bringing their record to 7–1.

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Buccaneers 0 21 30024
Seahawks 0 7 710327

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Game information

The top-ranked Seahawks hosted the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what many believed would be a blowout. However, the Buccaneers marched to a 21–0 lead during the 2nd quarter, which included a trick play from running back Mike James. Despite giving up a field goal later in the game, the Seahawks came roaring back, tying the game during the fourth quarter and forcing overtime. The Seahawks narrowly avoided a loss with a 27-yard field goal from Stephen Hauschka.

Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 20 3733
Falcons 0 3 7010

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Game information

This was a rematch of the NFC Divisional matchup from the 2012 postseason. The Seahawks jumped out to a 23–3 halftime lead and never looked back, routing the Falcons 33–10. The Seahawks won their fifth consecutive game as their record improved to 9–1.

Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Eleven: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 0720
Seahawks 10 14 01741

at

CenturyLink Field, Seattle

Game information