SEATTLE — Matt Hasselbeck threw four touchdown passes and Marshawn Lynch scored on an electrifying 67-yard run in the final minutes to lead the Seattle Seahawks to an improbable 41-36 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Seahawks (8-9) came into Saturday’s game as the first division winner ever with a losing record, yet pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL playoff history — with authority.
The Seahawks held a 34-20 early in the fourth quarter before Drew Brees looked ready to lead the Saints (11-6) on one of their patented comebacks. But Lynch broke about a half-dozen tackles for his TD with 3:22 left as Seattle finished off the Saints to move onto the next round of the playoffs.