Hours before kickoff, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and head coach Pete Carroll conferred on the field. Jackson, hampered by injury, would eventually enter the game in the second quarter.

Cornerbacks Richard Sherman, left, and Brandon Browner got face-to-face right before being introduced as starters.

Cincinnati's Bernard Scott is tackled low by Seattle's Brandon Mebane and hit high by Brandon Browner.

The 12th MAN raised their voices loud enough to force Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to shout adjustments to teammates at the line of scrimmage.

Charlie Whitehurst started at quarterback for the Seahawks and was sacked on Seattle's opening drive.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash talks with defensive end Red Bryant during a break in the action.

Seattle's Leroy Hill (56) and Earl Thomas (29) pounce on Bengals running back Bernard Scott.

Anthony Hargrove talks strategy with his defensive teammates on the sidelines between plays.

Heath Farwell made his home debut with the Seahawks and showed his special teams prowess with this hard tackle of Bengals returner Brandon Tate.

Seahawks defender Kam Chancellor brings down Cincinnati's Brian Leonard.

Chris Clemons celebrates a tackle with teammate Alan Branch.

Head coach Pete Carroll talks to an official after Cincinnati's Andy Dalton lost the ball near the end zone. The play was ruled an incomplete pass.

Players from both teams try to find the football after a fumble by Seattle's Marshawn Lynch that was eventually recovered by the Bengals.

Tarvaris Jackson entered the game and sparked the Seahawks offense, throwing for a career high 323 yards.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice races upfield after a catch as Russell Okung looks to make a block.

Rookie cornerback Richard Sherman, in his first NFL start, makes an interception on a long pass near the end zone.

Doug Baldwin celebrates with Sherman after the interception. The two were college teammates at Stanford before entering the NFL this season.

Seattle's receivers found space to work in the second half, and Tarvaris Jackson delivered the ball on the mark to Ben Obomanu for 55 yards on this play.

Doug Baldwin caught this pass in traffic along the sideline to keep a drive alive.

Sidney Rice got open near the Seahawks sideline to make this diving catch.

Cincinnati's Brandon Tate splits punter Jon Ryan and linebacker David Vobora on this 56-yard punt return as the Bengals scored 17 fourth quarter points to put the game out of reach.

Tarvaris Jackson was sacked and then threw an interception as Seattle's offense faltered late in the game.

Seahawks players relax in the lobby of the team hotel in-between meetings on Saturday in Cleveland.

The team took charter buses to Case Western Reserve University for their Saturday walk-thru on a field located between picturesque campus dormitories.

On Sunday, defensive lineman Alan Branch was on the field hours before kickoff, playing a little air guitar before taking on the Browns in the city that houses the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Deon Butler signed autographs for members of the 12th MAN who attended the road game.

Starting running back Marshawn Lynch took the field for pregame warmups before back issues prevented him from playing.

Red Bryant, the heart and soul of the Seahawks defense, fired up his teammates on the field during pregame.

Newly signed free-agent Heath Farwell heads out of the tunnel with the team during pregame introductions.

Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had a tough day and was sacked three times including this nine-yard loss in the game's opening drive.

Whitehurst was hit from behind and lost the ball on a fumble on this second quarter play.

Seattle's defense pressured Cleveland's offense all afternoon, and Red Bryant put a hard knock on Colt McCoy during the first half.

Colt McCoy is sacked by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, who was flagged for a personal foul on the play.

Head referee Mike Carey announces the penalty against Chancellor as Seattle's Chris Clemons seeks an explanation.

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman upends Cleveland tight end Evan Moore.

Kam Chancellor and Leroy Hill celebrate a stop on third down during the second quarter.

Seattle's Chris Clemons continued his fine play with two quarterback sacks of Cleveland's Colt McCoy.

Seahawks medical staff attends to cornerback Walter Thurmond, who suffered a season-ending leg injury.

The Seahawks defense stood stout and David Hawthorne intercepted a McCoy pass deep in Seattle territory.

Leon Washington broke free on a punt return for an apparent touchdown that would have given the Seahawks the lead, but officals flagged Kennard Cox for an illegal block on the play.

Sidney Rice looks for the end zone on Seattle's lone excursion into Cleveland's red zone. The Seahawks were forced to settle for a field goal.

Red Bryant (79) blocked two field goals on the afternoon, including this key block in the fourth quarter.

Red Bryant celebrates with teammates Raheem Brock, David Vobora, and Sidney Rice after blocking the field goal.

Wide receiver Mike Williams fights but can't reach a ball thrown to him in double coverage on Seattle's final drive.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung leaves the sideline at the end of the 6-3 loss.

Head coach Pete Carroll walked through the locker room and spoke to each player after the game.

The Seahawks held a brief walk-thru at a New Jersey High School that featured a football stadium atop a building. The multisport field featured elevated views of New York City, including the Empire State Building, which peeks above the trees.

On game day, the Seahawks return specialists gathered before taking the field for pregame warmups.

Each team in the NFL selects one home game during October to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Giants chose this week. The Seahawks wore their pink gear for the second week in a row and wide receiver Golden Tate donned his pink gloves before leaving the locker room.

Seattle's defense swarmed Giants quarterback Eli Manning, causing this first quarter fumble, which was caused by Chris Clemons and recovered by Earl Thomas.

Seattle's Alan Branch celebrates after sacking Manning.

Walter Thurmond replaced an injured Marcus Trufant at cornerback, and knocked away this pass intended for New York's Mario Manningham.

Marshawn Lynch outruns Giants defenders on his way to a 47-yard run that set up his one-yard touchdown on the ensuing play.

Seattle's Chris Clemons continued his outstanding play with a sack of New York quarterback Eli Manning.

Chris Clemons celebrates his sack of Manning.

Seattle's defense continued to be stout against the run as Anthony Hargrove stuffed New York's D.J. Ware for a safety in the third quarter.

A few of the loyal members of the 12th MAN at MetLife Stadium celebrate Seattle's safety.

Rookie wide receiver Doug Baldwin also continued his fine play, leading Seattle receivers with eight receptions.

Doug Baldwin serves up a stiff arm to the face of New York's Aaron Ross in the second half.

After starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson left the game with an injury, Charlie Whitehurst led the Seahawks offense.

Baldwin found himself on the receiving end of a 27-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Whitehurst to give the Seahawks a 29-25 lead in the fourth quarter.

New York's Victor Cruz made this grab along the right sideline to put the Giants deep into Seattle territory as they threatened to regain the lead in the final minutes.

With 1:25 left in the game, Manning's pass to Cruz is knocked by Seattle's Kam Chancellor and intercepted by Brandon Browner at the six-yard line.

Browner takes off upfield, racing 94 yards for a touchdown to insure Seattle's improbably victory.

The Seahawks bench, including head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, erupts as Browner races up the sideline on his way to the end zone.

Browner celebrates in the end zone as a New Jersey police officer looks on.

New York had one final possession but when Kam Chancellor intercepted Eli Manning's pass with 24 seconds left in the game, head coach Pete Carroll jumped for joy.

Assistant coach Sherman Smith and head coach Pete Carroll were all smiles as they left the field after the victory.

No one was happier than the players, however, as Anthony Hargrove showed as he ran towards the locker room after the game.

Jubilant wide receiver Sidney Rice was all smiles as he high-fived a photographer on his way off the field.

In the locker room, happy players, coaches and staff members celebrated as head coach Pete Carroll addressed the team.

Despite the tremendous victory, Seahawks players and coaches know there is still much work to do. Even with an upcoming bye week, linebacker David Hawthorne was already watching game tape in the dark on the team's return flight to Seattle.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, uniforms were adorned with pink and these ribbons were worn by coaches and staff members on the sidelines.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice sported a pink cap during the pregame stretch that he wore under his helmet during the game.

Taima the Seahawk flies from the tunnel with the players ready to follow during pregame introductions.

Sidney Rice scored Seattle's first touchdown on this 52-yard reception from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson during the second quarter.

Special teamers Jeron Johnson (32) and Michael Robinson make (26) a tackle on Atlanta kick returner Eric Weems.

Defensive backs Brandon Browner (39) and Earl Thomas (29) sandwich Atlanta's Michael Turner.

Running back Justin Forsett slides by Atlanta defender Curtis Lofton during the second quarter.

Defensive lineman Alan Branch celebrates with teammate Earl Thomas after they stopped Atlanta's Michael Turner for a two-yard loss in the third quarter.

The 12th MAN got rowdy in the second half as the Seahawks rallied from a 24-7 halftime deficit.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch flips into the end zone at the end of his 11-yard touchdown run that cut Atlanta's lead to 27-21 with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Marshawn Lynch punctuates his 11-yard touchdown run with a flip into the end zone.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice pumps up the crowd.

The Sea Gals were pretty in pink as they donned cowboy hats for a routine.

Brandon Browner puts a hard hit on Atlanta's Julio Jones.

Browner celebrates his hit on Jones.

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas keeps his eyes wide open as he tracks down Atlanta's Michael Turner.

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson scrambles up the middle for 13 yards in the fourth quarter.

Seattle's young offensive line protected quarterback Tarvaris Jackson all day, allowing no sacks as Jackson had time to pile up 319 yards and three touchdowns.

As the 12th MAN turned up the volume in the fourth quarter, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan had to shout signals to his teammates.

Seattle's defense stiffened in the second half and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley exhorted his players late in the fourth quarter.

Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka watches his 61-yard field goal sail left with 13 seconds left in the game.

First-year receiver Doug Baldwin sits alone on the bench after the Seahawks furious second half rally fell short, resulting in a 30-28 defeat.

Rookie linebacker K.J. Wright readies for his first home game in front of the 12th MAN.

Head coach Pete Carroll strolls on the field under bright sunny skies before the game. However, two heavy squalls showered the field with rain during the first half.

Players gather in the shower for a pregame prayer.

Defensive end Red Bryant has inspiring words for the team before they take the field.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice "taps in" as he leaves the locker room to head to the field for pregame introductions.

Strong safety Kam Chancellor heads out onto the field amid fog, pyrotechnics and the roar of the 12th MAN.

As heavy rains drenched CenturyLink Field, offensive linemen James Carpenter, John Moffitt and Max Unger (blocking Arizona's Darnell Dockett) fought to protect quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

Seahawks safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas bring down Arizona's Chester Taylor.

Head coach Pete Carroll winds up the 12th MAN during the first half.

Running back Marshawn Lynch regained some of his "Beast Mode" swagger as the Seahawks rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time this season.

Leon Washington provided the lightning to Lynch's thunder, breaking off a 21-yard gain.

However, one of the best runs of the day game courtesy of Tarvaris Jackson, who on this run alternately wove then pounded his way into the end zone for Seattle's only touchdown.

Meanwhile, Seattle's defense was stout against the Arizona offense. Neither Alan Branch (99), Anthony Hargrove (94) or Clinton McDonald (69) were on the team last season, but contributed on this tackle.

Seattle's Chris Clemons swings Arizona's Alfonso Smith by the jersey for a tackle.

Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb scrambled, only to be hammered by Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill.

Seattle's Red Bryant celebrates a tackle for loss with teammate Clinton McDonald.

Special teams had their moments too, including downing this 66-yard Jon Ryan punt down inside the Arizona five-yard line.

Seattle's Sidney Rice heads up the sidelines on a 23-yard pass reception from Tarvaris Jackson in the fourth quarter. Rice finished his first regular season game as a Seahawk with eight catches for 109 yards.

Sehawks defenders including K.J. Wright (leaping) celebrate Kam Chancellor's late interception that killed a Arizona drive in Seahawks territory and helped seal the victory.

Tarvaris Jackson and Kam Chancellor congratulate each other in the locker room after the victory.

The Seahawks gather together in their locker room after head coach Pete Carroll's post game comments.

Leon Washington sits in the players section of the plane as the team left Seattle on Friday afternoon to help acclimate to the time zone difference.

The team charter landed under darkness of night and players descended the moveable stairs and headed to buses that would take them to the hotel.

On Saturday afternoon, the team held a walk-thru at a local high school stadium. Unlike most high schools, Martorelli Stadium at North Hills High School seats over 5,000, has a two-story press box and brand new field turf.

As always, the pregame timeline is written on a white board for the players and coaches.

Players crowd around the shower area during a pregame prayer, spilling out to the nearby walkway.

The Seahawks make the long walk from the visitors locker room at Heinz Field to the playing field.

Seahawks linebacker Matt McCoy dives towards Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Seahawks safety Atari Bigby sacks Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the red zone during the first quarter.

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas celebrates after the defense held near the goal line resulting in a turnover on downs.

Pittsburgh's Issac Redman scores despite the attempt of Seattle's Anthony Hargrove.

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is hit from behind on this first half throw.

Seattle receiver Ben Obomanu leapt high but couldn't corral this pass along the sideline on third down.

Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond dives at the feet of Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall.

Seahawks defensive linemen Red Bryant and Anthony Hargrove stop Issac Redman.

Walter Thurmond's low tackle sends Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward airborne.

Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner corrals Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace.

Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace makes a nice catch on a deep route, managing to grip the ball from the top just before it would have hit the turf.

Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is sacked in the second half. Offensive guard John Moffitt is at right.

Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin is tackled and thrown out-of-bounds along the Seattle sideline.

Players walk off the field towards the locker room after the 24-0 defeat.

Head coach Pete Carroll answers questions from the media after the game.

The team departed on Saturday afternoon after their usual walk-thru. Russell Okung, resplendent in his brown three-piece suit chatted with General Manager John Schneider before boarding the bus for the airport.

Hours before kickoff, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley reviewed his game plan in a far corner of the locker room.

The game was played on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and part of the way the NFL commemorated the day was with ribbons worn by sideline personnel.

This loyal fan punctuated his Seahawks colors with an American flag.

In the locker room, communications manager Rich Gonzales outlined the pregame schedule for the players.

Head coach Pete Carroll made sure he didn't leave the locker room without running back Marshawn Lynch.

Seahawks rookie receiver Doug Baldwin, who played his college ball not far from Candlestick Park at Stanford University, leaves the locker room tunnel for the bright glare of the playing field.

First-round draft choice James Carpenter warms up on the 9/11 logo painted on the field to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Head coach Pete Carroll, his coaches and players joined with members of the armed forces to hold the American flag during the National Anthem.

The Seahawks defense was aggressive early, including this tackle for loss by linebacker Aaron Curry.

Curry celebrates along with safety Earl Thomas after a first-quarter stop.

Seattle defense continued to swarm to the ball as Brandon Browner was joined by teammates Aaron Curry and Earl Thomas on this tackle.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash talks to his players on the sidelines in-between series.

As would be expected in a game between division rivals, there was plenty of hard hitting including Justin Forsett being upended.

San Francisco receiver Joshua Morgan rose in-between Seahawks defensive backs Kam Chancellor and Marcus Trufant to keep a drive alive in the second half.

Doug Baldwin heads towards the end zone with a 55-yard touchdown reception from Tarvaris Jackson to pull the Seahawks to within two points at 19-17 in the fourth quarter.

However, then San Francisco return specialist Ted Ginn, Jr. took over, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

Less than a minute later, Ginn followed his kick-return for touchdown with this punt return for another touchdown.

The 49ers faithful celebrate with Ginn and the San Francisco lead was 33-17.

Seahawks running back Justin Forsett sits on the sidelines with teammate Marshawn Lynch as time runs out in the fourth quarter.

Crowds of Seahawks fans cheered from roadside and along freeway overpasses as the team's caravan of buses headed from the VMAC to the airport on Friday.

The Seahawks arrived in Chicago to snow on the ground and temperatures in the 20's.

On Saturday, the team did their walk-thru at an indoor facility at Northwestern University before a quick trip to Soldier Field where head coach Pete Carroll took a walk near midfield.

On Sunday morning, Carroll greeted fans in the lobby of the team hotel before boarding a charter bus headed for the stadium.

Members of the equipment staff adjust the cleats of receiver Brandon Stokley before the game.

Long-snapper Clint Gresham warmed up on a stationary bike near the sinks in the locker room.

Leon Washington "taps in" on his way to the field.

Tight ends Cameron Morrah and John Carlson get together in the tunnel before heading to the field.

The Seahawks gathered around Lawyer Milloy before taking the field for kickoff.

Matt Hasselbeck fires a pass to tight end John Carlson, who gained 14 yards on the play before being injured and removed from the game with a concussion.

Seattle's defense tried to swarm around Chicago running back Matt Forte.

Chicago's Matt Forte flies over the pile near the goal line, but Seattle's defense stopped him short.

As snow continued to fall, Soldier Field's grounds crew worked hard to keep field markings visible.

Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant breaks up a pass over the middle intended for Chicago's Earl Bennett.

Wide receiver Ben Obomanu is tackled after a 12-yard reception from Matt Hasselbeck.

Brandon Stokley, who had eight catches for 85 yards to lead the Seahawks, dives ahead for more yardage.

Seattle caught a break when a pass tipped by Chicago's Charles Tillman is caught by the Seahawks' Mike Williams in the end zone for a touchdown.

Williams celebrates the touchdown, which made the score 35-17 in favor of the Bears.

Head coach Pete Carroll paces the sidelines as his team scored 21 fourth quarter points, but it wasn't enough.

As a NFL Films microphone looms above, Carroll hugs quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the locker room after the game. At left is quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch, and at right is receiver's coach Kippy Brown.

Defensive captain Lofa Tatupu, who recovered from a concussion in time to play in the game, is consoled by Carroll in the locker room as the season came to an end.

Seahawks players including Tyler Polumbus, Will Herring, Michael Robinson and Justin Forsett make their way to an indoor practice facility at Northwestern University where they held their Saturday walk-thru.

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes some light throws at the beginning of the workout.

Head coach Pete Carroll strolls the turf at Soldier Field.

Head coach Pete Carroll called his players to the 50-yard line, where he made some final remarks before the team headed back to the hotel. After some time to themselves, the players will gather with the coaching staff for meetings tonight as they make final preparations for tomorrow's game.

Seahawks quarterback and team captain Matt Hasselbeck took center stage in the locker room before the game.

Starting safety Lawyer Milloy is a study in concentration in the dark of the tunnel before being the last player introduced to a roaring crowd and national television audience.

Seattle's offense started fast, with a wide-open Ruvell Martin making a 61-yard catch from Charlie Whitehurst in front of the St. Louis sideline to set up a first quarter touchdown.

Charlie Whitehurst made his second career NFL start matter, leading the Seahawks efficiently and without turnovers.

Wide receiver Mike Williams was wide open on the left side of the end zone and scored Seattle's only touchdown on a pass from Charlie Whitehurst.

Williams then saluted the 12thMan as an NBC camera beamed his pose to the rest of the country.

Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates Williams after the touchdown.

Matt McCoy gets pumped after one of his four tackles on special teams against the Rams.

Raheem Brock played his best game as a Seahawk, leveling St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford for a sack on this play with teammate Chris Clemons.

Chris Clemons celebrates after the sack.

Clemons again brought pressure on Bradford, this time forcing an incomplete pass as the Rams tried to score after a Seattle turnover.

Head coach Pete Carroll praised all three aspects of his team's play -- offense, defense and special teams. Free safety Earl Thomas made a diving tackle on Rams return specialist Danny Amendola, flipping him through the air.

Linebacker Will Herring made the game's biggest defensive play, intercepting a pass by St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford in the fourth quarter which set the stage for Seattle's final scoring drive.

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch was key in the fourth quarter as he carried the ball ten times on a 13-play drive to help seal the victory.

Seattle kicker Olindo Mare kicked three second half field goals including a final 34-yard effort with 1:41 left in the game to cement the win.

Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and fellow assistants celebrate Mare's field goal with gave the Seahawks a 16-6 lead.

Quarterbacks Charlie Whitehurst and Matt Hasselbeck share a laugh on the sideline near the end of the game.

Head coach Pete Carroll lets out a holler along with assistants Gus Bradley (left) and Dan Quinn (right) as the game clock ticks down to 00:00.

Defensive tackle Craig Terrill, wearing a hat proclaiming the Seahawks as NFC West Champions, runs over to the stands to give his wife Rachel a kiss before heading to the locker room.

Center Chris Spencer presented the game ball to head coach Pete Carroll, who returned the Seahawks to the top of the NFC West and back to the playoffs in his first season with the team.

Carroll pauses to collect his thoughts as the team gathered around him in the locker room following the emotional victory.

Carroll congratulated his players, coaches and staff on the win, then reminded them that a bigger challenge awaited as a rematch with the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints was less than a week away.

General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll, who made 275 personnel moves since taking over, congratulate each other in the locker room after winning the division title.