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PHOENIX – If Seattle defeats New England in Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks will become the ninth team to win back-to-back Super Bowls and the first since the 2004-05 Patriots.
“The journey we’ve been on has been unbelievable,” quarterback Russell Wilson said Monday. “We’ve come a long way, so to (be in position to win) back-to-back is pretty special.”
Last year, Wilson helped the Seahawks obliterate Denver 43-8 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Now, Wilson is one game away from completing his third season and cashing in on one of those $100 million contracts that seem to be the norm for the NFL’s most successful players.
“To be here in back-to-back years shows a lot about our team and what we can do,” Wilson said. “It means a lot to me just to be able to come back and have that championship mindset throughout the season, and to potentially win back-to-back years is huge.”
For those picking against the Seahawks, a word of caution: Wilson has a 10-0 record against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, including 1-0 against Tom Brady.
“I think it’s really big for our organization and for our players, so I’m looking forward to that (possibility),” Wilson said.
Seattle came close to not having a chance to defend its championship.
Wilson was the architect of that amazing come-from-behind victory over Green Bay in the NFC Championship game. He overcame four interceptions to throw the winning touchdown pass in overtime.
Seahawks speak to Super Bowl media 1/26
The Seahawks were the first defending champion since New England to even win a playoff game.
“There’s 31 other teams – that’s why it’s hard,” Wilson said about only nine teams repeating. “We’ve found ways to feed off one another and make plays when we needed to and be clutch, but also to be consistent in our approach and the way we practice and the way we play games.”
Seattle gets a lot of attention because of its outstanding defense, and rightfully so. The Seahawks finished first in defense for the second consecutive year.
Since the current playoff format was implemented in 1990, teams ranked first in defense are 7-1 in Super Bowls.
“It would be real special,” linebacker K.J. Wright said about winning another Super Bowl. “I know a lot of people stopped believing in us during the season when we were 3-3, 6-4.
“Getting back here just shows this team is full of fighters.”
With Brady at quarterback, the Patriots are 3-2 in Super Bowls. After winning his first three, Brady suffered losses in the last two to the New York Giants.
Because they were the last team to win consecutive Super Bowls, the Patriots know what it takes. The Seahawks want to earn that same experience.
“I don’t think the approach changes at all,” coach Pete Carroll said. “I think that we did a great job even though we had no experience going to the Super Bowl before.
“Our approach this year is no different. It’s to have that same championship mindset that we’ve had all year.”
The Seahawks are hoping to dominate Brady the way they dominated Peyton Manning last year. If their pass rushers get after Brady the way they did Manning, they’ll have a good chance to repeat.
“It’s been amazing,” said defensive end Cliff Avril, who left Detroit for Seattle in 2013. “I’ve been blessed to see both ends of the spectrum, not winning any games to pretty much getting to the top the last two years.
“I appreciate it a lot just from the simple fact of what I’ve gone through. I appreciate just being able to get to the top and be the last team standing.”
The Patriots built a dynasty. The Seahawks are trying to build one during an era in which the salary cap and free agency are suppose to produce league-wide balance.
“It is difficult,” center Max Unger said. “We kind of struggled early this year kind of dealing with that exact issue.
“There’s so much turnover in the NFL, and just being able to recreate your team year after year and finding your identity, almost a new identity, every time is very difficult.
“You look at the Patriots. They just had like their ninth first-round bye or something like that in 10 years. I’d call that a dynasty.”
If Seattle wins on Sunday, Unger can call the Seahawks a dynasty, too.
Author John McClain has covered the NFL for the Houston Chronicle for more than 30 years. Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports editor Nick Eaton at 206-448-8125, nickeaton@seattlepi.com or @njeaton.
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“The journey we’ve been on has been unbelievable,” quarterback Russell Wilson said Monday. “We’ve come a long way, so to (be in position to win) back-to-back is pretty special.”
Last year, Wilson helped the Seahawks obliterate Denver 43-8 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Now, Wilson is one game away from completing his third season and cashing in on one of those $100 million contracts that seem to be the norm for the NFL’s most successful players.
“To be here in back-to-back years shows a lot about our team and what we can do,” Wilson said. “It means a lot to me just to be able to come back and have that championship mindset throughout the season, and to potentially win back-to-back years is huge.”
For those picking against the Seahawks, a word of caution: Wilson has a 10-0 record against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, including 1-0 against Tom Brady.
“I think it’s really big for our organization and for our players, so I’m looking forward to that (possibility),” Wilson said.
Seattle came close to not having a chance to defend its championship.
Wilson was the architect of that amazing come-from-behind victory over Green Bay in the NFC Championship game. He overcame four interceptions to throw the winning touchdown pass in overtime.
Seahawks speak to Super Bowl media 1/26
The Seahawks were the first defending champion since New England to even win a playoff game.
“There’s 31 other teams – that’s why it’s hard,” Wilson said about only nine teams repeating. “We’ve found ways to feed off one another and make plays when we needed to and be clutch, but also to be consistent in our approach and the way we practice and the way we play games.”
Seattle gets a lot of attention because of its outstanding defense, and rightfully so. The Seahawks finished first in defense for the second consecutive year.
Since the current playoff format was implemented in 1990, teams ranked first in defense are 7-1 in Super Bowls.
“It would be real special,” linebacker K.J. Wright said about winning another Super Bowl. “I know a lot of people stopped believing in us during the season when we were 3-3, 6-4.
“Getting back here just shows this team is full of fighters.”
With Brady at quarterback, the Patriots are 3-2 in Super Bowls. After winning his first three, Brady suffered losses in the last two to the New York Giants.
Because they were the last team to win consecutive Super Bowls, the Patriots know what it takes. The Seahawks want to earn that same experience.
“I don’t think the approach changes at all,” coach Pete Carroll said. “I think that we did a great job even though we had no experience going to the Super Bowl before.
“Our approach this year is no different. It’s to have that same championship mindset that we’ve had all year.”
The Seahawks are hoping to dominate Brady the way they dominated Peyton Manning last year. If their pass rushers get after Brady the way they did Manning, they’ll have a good chance to repeat.
“It’s been amazing,” said defensive end Cliff Avril, who left Detroit for Seattle in 2013. “I’ve been blessed to see both ends of the spectrum, not winning any games to pretty much getting to the top the last two years.
“I appreciate it a lot just from the simple fact of what I’ve gone through. I appreciate just being able to get to the top and be the last team standing.”
The Patriots built a dynasty. The Seahawks are trying to build one during an era in which the salary cap and free agency are suppose to produce league-wide balance.
“It is difficult,” center Max Unger said. “We kind of struggled early this year kind of dealing with that exact issue.
“There’s so much turnover in the NFL, and just being able to recreate your team year after year and finding your identity, almost a new identity, every time is very difficult.
“You look at the Patriots. They just had like their ninth first-round bye or something like that in 10 years. I’d call that a dynasty.”
If Seattle wins on Sunday, Unger can call the Seahawks a dynasty, too.
Author John McClain has covered the NFL for the Houston Chronicle for more than 30 years. Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports editor Nick Eaton at 206-448-8125, nickeaton@seattlepi.com or @njeaton.
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