PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Seattle sports scene is getting predictable.
The Sonics are struggling, the Mariners are pinching pennies, and the Seahawks are closing in on another division championship.
Ho-hum.
The team that spent so many years being kicked around – the Seachickens, the Seahags, or whatever else the fans called them – has become the paradigm of success. Not just in Seattle, but also in the NFL.
Only four other teams have won back-to-back-to-back division titles since the turn of the century: Philadelphia (NFC East, 2001-03), Green Bay (NFC North, 2002-04), Indianapolis (AFC South, 2003-05) and New England (2003-05). With a win over the Arizona Cardinals today, along with a San Francisco loss to Green Bay, the Seahawks could become the fifth team to accomplish the feat.
“If we’re fortunate enough to go out there (today) and do that, it’s going to be great,” left tackle Walter Jones said. “Especially after the things they said about teams that lose the Super Bowl not doing anything (the next year). It’s going to be great going into this game knowing that we can end that.”
None of the past five Super Bowl losers has made the playoffs the following year, so the Seahawks’ division title and subsequent postseason berth would be that much more special.
It would also be unlikely considering how far this franchise has come.
In the first 28 years of the franchise’s history, the Seahawks won just two division titles – the AFC West in 1988, and the NFC West in 1999. A win today, and a little help from the Packers, would secure Seattle’s third division title in as many seasons.
“I’m just grateful that they put the pieces together to put us in the situation we’re in now,” Jones said. “I know it took awhile, but they brought in the right guys to make us a contender each year, and that feels good.”
Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, who won only one division title during his six seasons with the 49ers, is impressed with Seattle’s three-year run.
“It shows that the organization is going in the right direction,” he said. “It shows that the people leading the team, like coach (Mike) Holmgren and the rest of the staff, are doing a great job of getting everyone prepared.
“If you consistently win division championships, you’re headed in the right direction of the ultimate goal, and that’s the Super Bowl.”
The 2006 Seahawks still have a long way to go before they can even think about the Super Bowl, but a division title would certainly be a step in the right direction.
But coach Mike Holmgren is unwilling to talk about that step until the foot is firmly planted on the floor.
“People are talking about a lot of things, but we haven’t really reached our goal yet,” he said on Friday. “There are four games left in the regular season, and (the players need to) stay focused on the game at hand and not worry about other things. Let’s just play this game, and then we’ll re-evaluate.
“There’s too much speculation about where we are and where we’re headed, and I just want them to think about how we have to play (today).”
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