Thanksgiving Struggles of the Seahawks
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family gatherings, sumptuous feasts, and, of course, football. Yet, for the Seattle Seahawks and their fans, the association with the holiday has often been a bittersweet one. Over their 49-year history, the Seahawks have only participated in five Thanksgiving games, and their success rate on this day has been dismal. In fact, the team hasn’t claimed victory on Thanksgiving in over a decade.
As this year’s Thanksgiving approaches, the current Seahawks are focused on preparing for their crucial home matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field on Sunday. With an impressive 8-3 record, the stakes are high—not just for quarterback Sam Darnold, who seeks to exact revenge on his former team, but also for maintaining their position in the competitive NFC Wild Card race. The Seahawks are eager to close the gap on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West standings.
Seahawks’ Thanksgiving History
The franchise’s Thanksgiving history is a mixed bag, marked by both disappointment and moments of redemption. Here’s a look back at their past performances on this holiday:
1980: Cowboys 51, Seahawks 7
In their inaugural Thanksgiving appearance, the Seahawks faced a brutal defeat under quarterback Jim Zorn. After a promising start to the season at 4-3, the team stumbled badly, losing their final nine games that year. The only silver lining in this dismal outing was Zorn’s late touchdown pass to tight end Ron Essnik, preventing a shutout.
1986: Seahawks 31, at Cowboys 14
Seattle returned to Thanksgiving with a vengeance. Led by quarterback Dave Krieg, the Seahawks took control of the game, with Krieg tossing two touchdown passes and running back Curt Warner contributing 122 rushing yards and a score. Despite finishing the season at 10-6, the team narrowly missed the playoffs.
2008: at Cowboys 34, Seahawks 9
This game marked one of the darkest days in Seahawks’ Thanksgiving history. Facing a Cowboys team that would ultimately miss the playoffs, Seattle was unable to score a touchdown, succumbing to a lopsided defeat that dropped their record to 2-10. Coach Mike Holmgren’s squad finished the season at 4-12, and this game would be one of the final straws, leading to Holmgren’s retirement.
2014: Seahawks 19, at 49ers 3
In a defensive battle, the Seahawks edged out the 49ers thanks to a touchdown from Robert Turbin, caught from Russell Wilson. This victory was part of a late-season surge that saw Seattle win six straight games, culminating in a playoff run that ended in heartbreak at Super Bowl XLIX.
2023: 49ers 31, at Seahawks 13
The latest Thanksgiving outing was a sobering reminder of the team’s struggles. The Seahawks fell behind 24-3 at halftime, with their only score coming from a defensive interception return by Jordyn Brooks. This loss marked the beginning of a downward spiral for the franchise, leading to a disappointing 9-8 season and the eventual departure of head coach Pete Carroll.
Current State and Future Prospects
As the Seahawks gear up for their pivotal game against the Vikings, the team is focused on leveraging the talents of quarterback Sam Darnold, standout wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a formidable young defense. With aspirations to make a more significant impact in the postseason, the Seahawks are looking to shake off their Thanksgiving curse and find success not just on the holiday but as they push towards the playoffs.
For now, fans are encouraged to reflect on the team’s sparse but memorable Thanksgiving history while keeping an eye on the upcoming clash with Minnesota—a game that carries with it the weight of revenge and the promise of a brighter future.
