Seattle’s journey to the Super Bowl was marked by their resilience and determination. As the top seed in the NFC, they won both of their playoff games convincingly to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. In contrast, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the AFC and had to win three road playoff games to reach the championship game.
Despite being the underdogs, the Steelers were favored to win when they faced off against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl at Ford Field. The game proved to be a frustrating experience for the Seahawks, as the Steelers took an early lead and benefited from controversial officiating calls throughout the game.
Ultimately, the Seahawks were unable to overcome the odds and secure victory in Super Bowl XL, leaving them with a bitter disappointment as they fell short of capturing their first championship title.
Nearly two decades after Super Bowl XL, the game is still remembered, often with a negative connotation. Recently, former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, who had an outstanding season in 2005 and won the league MVP award, expressed his belief that the Seahawks were the superior team, but they happened to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at an inopportune moment.
Alexander reflected on the game during an appearance on KOA Sports Radio’s Big Al and JoJo podcast, stating, “If we had played the Steelers 100 times, we probably would’ve lost one.” He emphasized that the Seahawks had a clear game plan to minimize mistakes and prevent big plays by the Steelers, but unfortunately, they were unable to execute it perfectly.
The Seahawks’ hopes were dashed by crucial big plays from the Steelers, including a 75-yard run by Willie Parker and a trick play resulting in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Antwaan Randle El to Hines Ward. Additionally, Seattle faced setbacks due to questionable officiating, notably an offensive pass interference penalty that nullified a touchdown by Darrell Jackson.
Despite the adversity, Alexander acknowledged that the Seahawks had opportunities to overcome the challenges but ultimately fell short. Reflecting on the game years later, he still feels the pain of the loss.
While the Seahawks eventually found redemption by winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos, the bitter memory of their defeat in Super Bowl XL remains. Despite the passage of time, the game serves as a reminder of the missed opportunity for the Seahawks to claim their first championship.