Enemy Reaction Throwback Edition: Seahawks 14 Packers 12 - Fail Mary

Five years ago, after the Seattle Seahawks controversially defeated the Green Bay Packers in an absolute mess of a football game, I made a vow not to do an Enemy Reaction for it because of what a clownshow it was. It’s one of the few times I’ve genuinely been pissed off after a Seahawks win.

It’s been nearly five full years since this game happened, and I’ve finally relented. There was a lot more to this game than Fail Mary. You had eight sacks of Aaron Rodgers, you had Golden Tate’s first-half touchdown, you had Cedric Benson almost fumbling the game away before Fail Mary could even happen, and you had penalties. Lots and lots of horseshit penalties from replacement refs who left the NFL no choice but to bring in the professional refs.

Let’s have a good time and go through this never-before-done Enemy Reaction of one of the most memorable games in Seahawks history, and perhaps recent NFL history. Game thread comments are from Field Gulls (duh) and Acme Packing Company.

Nice foreshadowing

Bruce Irvin gets his first career sack (0-0)

Aaron Rodgers sacks himself (0-0)

After penalty on Green Bay, Russell Wilson throws touchdown to Golden Tate (7-0 SEA)

Chris Clemons gets Seattle’s seventh sack of Aaron Rodgers (7-0 SEA)

What’s that? He got sacked AGAIN?! (7-0 SEA)

Packers’ eventual touchdown drive gets extended thanks to this outrageous PI call (7-6 SEA)

Brandon Browner vs. Greg Jennings! (7-6 SEA)

Cedric Benson gets the go-ahead touchdown for Green Bay (12-7 GB)

Russell Wilson gets intercepted, but it’s waived off due to roughing the passer penalty (12-7 SEA)

Seahawks get bailed out of 1st and 30 thanks to pass interference call (12-7 GB)

Seahawks run horrific option play on 3rd and 1, but eventually convert 4th and 2 (12-7 GB)

Russell Wilson’s 4th down fade to the end zone falls incomplete (12-7 GB)

Cedric Benson fumbles the ball, but Jeff Saturday pounces on it before the Seahawks can (12-7 GB)

Sam Shields nearly intercepts end zone throw to Golden Tate (12-7 GB)

Fail Mary (13-12 SEA)

The call stands, the Seahawks win (and kick the extra point for good measure)! (14-12 SEA)

Reactions (in order) from Bears, Lions, Cardinals, and 49ers fans

Post-Game: Blame the NFL and Roger Goodell (Acme Packing Company)

If any good comes out of this play -- which was only the worst call in what was almost certainly the most poorly officiated professional sporting event I've ever watched -- it will be the event that forces Roger Goodell to pick up the phone to the professional referees and ask them to name their price. If the Packers had to lose to save the integrity of the NFL going forward, at least this nonsensical game did some good for sport.

I don't blame the replacement officials, who were thrown into positions that they are not qualified for. No one would hire me to write an epic series of science fiction novels and assume that I will perform that job adequately simply because I've spent time doing some writing. I don't harbor any ill will towards the Seahawks, who played an excellent game. I don't harbor any ill will towards Seahawks fans, who had to watch their team get screwed over just as often as the Packers before the final play.

Instead, I blame the NFL and Roger Goodell for destroying a brilliant product and turning it into something that I hope you decide to stop consuming.

Post-Game Video: Packers fan can’t believe what happened (Joseph Bulthaupt)

Russell Wilson has thrown 10 of his 56 career interceptions (playoffs included) against the Packers. No team has intercepted Wilson more than Green Bay, so hopefully they’re over it now. Besides, Seattle managed to win in walkoff fashion without any controversy in the 2015 NFC Championship Game.

I hope you enjoyed this special Seahawks rewind. I’m undecided on which game will be next but I’m leaning towards the week 17 win over the Rams in the 2010 season. That will come out in June. Thanks for reading and go ‘Hawks!