Four years ago, the Seahawks and Packers met at Lambeau Field in a playoff game, and overtime was needed to decide the winner.
And, as so often happens in an overtime game, it came down to someone’s foot making the difference. But instead of a game-winning kick, this time, the foot that made the difference belonged to Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
During the coin toss, he stuck his foot deep into his mouth.
The Seahawks won the toss, and the referee asked Hasselbeck whether Seattle wanted to receive the kickoff to start overtime, or kick it away to Green Bay. Since overtime in the NFL is done in a sudden-death format – the first team to score wins – this was an easy decision. Seattle wanted the ball.
But instead of just saying, “We elect to receive,” Hasselbeck made a much broader, and bolder statement.
“We want the ball and we’re going to score.”
It was brash, amplified over the public address system by the referee’s microphone, and would have made Joe Namath proud. Except for one minor detail, that is.
Third down and 11 from the Seattle 46. Hasselbeck threw a short outside route, and Green Bay’s Al Harris intercepted it and returned it for the game-winning touchdown.
Fortunately, Hasselbeck chose to be a football player rather than, say, a meteorologist.
To his credit, he joked about his soundbite with reporters this week, and said that if the same situation arises Saturday in Green Bay, he won’t make any guarantees, because it will seem contrived rather than from the heart. Still, if the Seahawks and Packers are tied after regulation – maybe Mike Holmgren should send someone else out for the coin flip.
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Harrah’s headliner Rita Rudner and her husband, Martin Bergman, who won this year’s celebrity football contest, will be providing picks each week throughout the playoffs, with a comment about each game. Playoff record against the spread: 3-1.
Seahawks +9 over Packers
Comment: I think the Packers will win, but by nine points?.
Jaguars +15 over Patriots
Comment: Again, too many points.
Colts -8 1/2 over Chargers
Comment: Gates is banged up. Rivers has the leg brace. The Colts are the defending champs and rested.
Cowboys -7 1/2 vs. Giants
Comment: It’s all about the quarterbacks. Has Eli turned a corner? Has Jessica Simpson cursed Tony Romo?.