The Seahawks entered Sunday's game with home field advantage throughout the playoffs wrapped up in the NFC. However, there were a couple milestones left to achieve before the day was through.
Shaun Alexander came into the game needing just one touchdown to break the NFL single season record of 28. He also was just 54 yards short of Tiki Barber for the rushing title on the season.
By halftime, Alexander had broken both marks and established himself in the NFL's record books. His second quarter touchdown from one yard out gave him 28 touchdowns and his 73 yards on the day put him at 1,880 on the season.
Seattle Head Coach Mike Holmgren admitted that the record was special to not only Alexander but to the rest of the team as well.
"We wanted him to have the record, he wanted to have the record, the linemen wanted the record for him and so in the first half we were kind of playing to get him the ball and hoping to get him the record, and that was done, Holmgren said. "I am very happy about that and so was he."
Indeed, Alexander was very happy with his day both team-wise and individually.
"I think it is more fulfilling to be 13-3 and to know that we are in the playoffs and we don't have to play next week," Alexander explained. "Those are more fulfilling than the rushing title. The scoring title, the touchdowns, I do like that. That's pretty cool."
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Uncertainty in the Air
The last game of the season often signals a time of uncertainty in the National Football League. Regardless of records, it's inevitable to have roster changes.
From top to bottom, players are reevaluated and it becomes decision time on whom the organization will keep around. That touch of uncertainty hung over more than just a few heads in the Packers locker room Sunday after the game.
The Packers have several free agents, including Grady Jackson, Ryan Longwell, Aaron Kampman, William Henderson and Mike Flanagan, among others.
Whether or not these players will return is obviously yet to be decided, but that doesn't mean that the players weren't wondering what was going to be in store for the future. For some, Sunday was a time to enjoy as a Green Bay Packer.
"Rob (Davis) and I kind of went through it together running onto the field and soaking up the last field goal," Longwell said. "We took a picture on the field after the game and then I brought Sarah (Longwell's wife) down onto the field and took our picture. I don't know what's going to happen, but it's certainly a great way to go out."
Kampman said the focus of the game was playing for his teammates.
"There's a lot of uncertainty in the air, but the fact of the matter is that we wanted to play together one last time, whether that means we're all back next year or not, and to get a win together," Kampman said.
"And that was the rallying cry around us, especially today. Let's play for each other and get a win for each other. I'm just glad that we're able to accomplish it."
Jackson agreed with his defensive line teammate.
"We went out there and played hard," Jackson said. "There's a lot of guys that are free agents. A lot of guys don't want to leave, they want to stay here. It was important to go out there and have a great day."
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Top Five Set
Though the rest of the April's NFL Draft is yet to be determined, the top five selections are finalized heading into the Sunday night contest between the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams.
The order is:
- Green Bay Packers
