PHILADELPHIA—If the Seahawks could have managed just another foot or so last week—on two different plays in the game's final moments—they would be NFC West champs and playing at home on Sunday.
Instead, coming a few inches short of the goal line meant the Seahawks had to head across the country where they find themselves back in the City of Brotherly Love for the second time in six weeks, the NFC's No. 5 seed who will play the Eagles in the wild-card round on Sunday. If the Seahawks are going to reach their ultimate goal, they'll have to win at least two, and in all likelihood three road games to get to the Super Bowl (Seattle could host the NFC championship game, but that would only occur if the sixth-seeded Vikings also reached the conference championship).
Winning three road playoff games to reach the Super Bowl isn't a path any team wants to take, and it certainly wasn't what the Seahawks had in mind a couple of weeks ago when the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye were still in play for them, but even if a postseason on the road wasn't Plan A for the Seahawks, it's a challenge they're embracing as they prepare to face the Eagles.
"We're going to be on the road, and that's something we have done really well, and we're going to try to handle that really well," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "… Let's get cranked up, let's go to Philly and get going in the playoffs and see how far the Seahawks can roll. We're excited about our chances in that regard."
Since the current playoff format was adopted in 2002, only three teams have advance to the Super Bowl as Wild Card teams, the 2005 Steelers, the 2007 Giants and 2010 Packers, all of whom ended up winning the Super Bowl.
But the Seahawks believe they're a team capable of bucking that trend. The biggest reason the Seahawks are confident heading into the playoffs is that they're a talented group of players and coaches who believe in themselves after winning 11 games this season. But what comes to this particular challenge of being on the road for as long as their postseason run lasts, the Seahawks feel like they've got a real shot to do something special because of how they played on the road all season.
Over the course of the regular season, the Seahawks went 7-1 on the road, including a 17-9 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, giving them the best road record in franchise history. That road record included not just a win over this week's opponent, but also an overtime victory over the team the Seahawks could be facing next week if they beat the Eagles, the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers.
"No questions, we've been road warriors all year," Carroll said following his team's Week 17 loss to the 49ers. "Our guys have handled it well. I know why we've done well on the road… We're not worried about going on the road, that's for sure."
Said linebacker Bobby Wagner, "We've just been able to come together on the road. I've always thought of it as a very fun environment when it's just your group in the stadium that wants you to win, and everybody else is rooting against you. When you're able to quiet 70,000 people, that's a pretty fun experience."
A lot has been written and discussed about the Seahawks' road success this season, from a slight shift in logistics this season that calls for the entire team to travel to the stadium at the same time rather than have early and late-bus options; to the practice that dates back a few years of giving veteran players first class for the flight home after a road win; to the particularly close-knit bond this team has forged. But whatever the reason for Seattle's unprecedented road success, they believe they're the type of team that can defy recent history and keep their season going for a while longer.
"Obviously our history throughout this season winning on the road is really good," linebacker K.J. Wright said. "If you've got Russell (Wilson) back there at quarterback, you've got a great chance of winning. We know what it is, we know what's at stake. It won't be easy, all games are hard in the NFL, but we'll just see how it plays out. Maybe a ball or two will go our way, some good things will happen."
Added Wilson, "Some teams worry about playing on the road; I don't think we do… I think we have great experience, the leadership across the board is there for sure. Guys like Bobby, guys like K.J., Marshawn (Lynch) is back, so that helps too, and just to be able to settle down on the road is key. Just realize it's just football, it's the game that we love, the game that we prepare for, and hopefully we can transfer that to a tough environment in Philly."
The Seahawks and Eagles face off on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver secures this 23-yard pass from quarterback Dave Krieg pass for his 98th career touchdown in the opening game of the 1989 season in Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.
Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg gets off a pass during loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1989. (AP Photo)
Herschel Walker (34) of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to avoid Tyrone Rodgers (91) and Jeff Bryant (77) of he Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 14, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Quarterback Randell Cunningham (12) of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to avoid the rush of Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete (9) changes the play at the line as he looks at the Seattle Seahawks defense in the third quarter of Sunday's, Dec. 3, 1995 game in Seattle. Seattle won the game 26-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Quarterback Randell Cunningham (12) of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to avoid the rush of Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
JOHN RANDLE RUSHES DONOVAN MCNABB
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles' Shawn Barber gives chase in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens catches an 11-yard pass in the endzone for a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins defending with 49 seconds left in the game in Seattle Sunday Sunday Dec. 8, 2002. The Eagles won 27-20. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu uses the goalpost pad as a punching bag after returning a second quarter interception from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike McMahon for a touchdown Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, left, keeps Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) from the endzone on a first quarter sweep Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia. The run set up Seattle's first score, a pass to Seattle's Bobby Engram.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks D.J. Hackett (18) pulls down the pass to setup a touchdown from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the closing minutes of the first half as the Eagles's Michael Lewis,left, and Sheldon Brown, center, defend Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant, left, tips the ball away from Philadelphia Eagles' Greg Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. The Seahawks won 28-24. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson (59) meets Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Westbrook at the top of the pile to keep him from scoring from the 1-yard-line during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris goes by Philadelphia Eagles' Sheldon Brown for a 45-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. The Seahawks won 28-24. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) pitches off to running back Maurice Morris, right, with Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Trevor Laws closing in on the left during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Seattle. The Eagles won 26-7. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant, left, intercepts in the end zone in front of Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson and Seahawks' Marcus Trufant in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 2: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by Leroy Hill #56 of the Seattle Seahawks as he returns a punt at Qwest Field on November 2, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Eagles defeated the Seahawks 26-7. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, center, runs for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson under pressure from the Philadelphia Eagles defense in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon (27) runs the ball after an interception during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a pass in front of Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) tries to avoid a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Marcus Smith, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz fumbles as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril in the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Seattle Seahawks running back J.D. McKissic (21) catches touchdown pass during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles , Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) prepares for the snap under center during a week 13 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Seattle. Seattle won 24-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles , Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' DK Metcalf (14) leaps past Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Mills (31) and Ronald Darby (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Seattle Seahawks' Bradley McDougald (30) celebrates after intercepting a Philadelphia Eagles' pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Seattle Seahawks defensive players celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
