Seahawks’ vaunted defense fails to ‘finish’

GLENDALE, Ariz.— It’s one of the mottos of Pete Carroll’s program. The word “Finish” is everywhere when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, always with the idea of being the better team at the end of the game.

For a change, Seattle’s record-setting defense wilted in the fourth quarter. Instead of finishing, Seattle faded as Tom Brady and New England’s rallied.

“I think I’m going to go lock myself in my room for about two weeks. This one hurt because we had it,” Seattle linebacker Bruce Irvin said. “We had it.”

Staked to a 10-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, the best defense in the NFL could not deliver a second straight Super Bowl title for the Seahawks.

All the attention will be placed on the decision to have Russell Wilson throw from the 1-yard line in the closing seconds, resulting in Malcolm Butler’s clinching interception for New England.

But that moment became possible because Brady put together two lengthy fourth-quarter touchdown drives against a Seattle defense that late in the regular season didn’t allow a fourth-quarter point in six straight games.

Seattle had the best pass defense, best total defense and best scoring defense in the NFL. The Seahawks had allowed less than 10 points per game during their eight-game win streak to close the season.

Failing in the fourth quarter was a crushing turn for a unit that had been praised for being the best of this era of the NFL. All-Pro safety Earl Thomas sat silent at his locker for more than 10 minutes in a quiet locker room.

“We’ve got to be fundamentally sound. We’re a very good fundamentally sound team but when you’re not fundamentally sound, things happen,” safety Kam Chancellor said. “Things happen and a great quarterback like Tom Brady, he’ll find it. He’ll definitely find it. We’ve got to be fundamentally sound.”

This wasn’t the elite Seattle defense of late in the season on Sunday. Thomas and Sherman both played with injuries suffered in the NFC championship game. Chancellor injured his knee in practice on Friday and had to go through a pregame workout just to be cleared.

Then the Seahawks suffered two major losses during the game. Nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane broke his wrist after intercepting Brady in the first quarter, causing a shift in the secondary. Backup cornerback Tharold Simon was suddenly thrust into action and struggled.

Defensive end Cliff Avril suffered a concussion in the second half and Seattle’s pass rush was unable to get at Brady in the fourth quarter. Brady was 13-for-15 passing in the final quarter and the Patriots had 123 yards of offense.

“Those were two big injuries to core guys for us, but we ran the same plays,” Sherman said. “We executed, even though some mistakes were made at the end. When you lose two starters, it’s going to be tough for your defense.”

The Seahawks fell to 2-6 over the past two seasons when allowing 24 or more points. Five of their six losses this season, including Sunday night, came when giving up 24 or more.

The question afterward was whether Seattle could use this loss the same way it used its 2012 playoff loss to Atlanta, which was the catalyst for the Seahawks title a year ago.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner wasn’t interested.

“I would rather learn from winning than learn from losing,” he said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.