Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Famous Richard Sherman pick-six a ‘pivotal moment’ for Seahawks Super Bowl squad

Originally posted on Seattle Seahawks on SI
By Russell Baxter | Last updated May 26, 2025 5:31 AM ET

In Week 7 on a Monday night in the Pacific Northwest, Mike Macdonald’s club will host the reigning AFC South champions. It’s a franchise that has won eight division titles in 14 seasons dating back to 2011. The Houston Texans will be making just their third appearance in Seattle, and these clubs have met only five times previously.

The most memorable clash between the teams came in Week 4 of the 2013 season. Entering a Sunday afternoon clash with the Texans at Houston, Pete Carroll’s club was 3-0, and had defeated the Panthers (12-7), 49ers (29-3) and Jaguars (45-17) by a combined 86-27 score. They gave up just three touchdowns, totaled seven sacks, came up with 10 takeaways, and limited each of their victims to fewer than 300 total yards.

It would be a totally different story vs. the Texans, at least in the first 30 minutes. The Seahawks were down 20-3 at intermission, and had been outgained 324-88 in total yards. A defense that allowed three touchdowns in as many games had given up a pair of TDs in just two quarters.

However, Gary Kubiak’s Texans were done scoring for the day. Seattle responded with 17 straight points, sending the game into overtime thanks to a great effort by All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman (and the subsequen PAT).

Beautiful play. We practiced this scenario and this play, 3rd and short several times on a Thursday. The outcome was always @RSherman_25 for 6.

I’ve always seen this game as a pivotal moment of our team progressing toward a Super Bowl. Down 20heading into the 4th quarter . https://t.co/a7DfzknZca
— Walter Thurmond III (@WaltThurm3) May 23, 2025

In their second possession in the extra session, Stephen Hauschka connected on a 45-yard field goal to give Carroll’s club a scintillating 23-20 win, raising their record to 4-0. Seattle finished the season 13-3, tying the franchise record for wins.

Come the playoffs, the Seahawks’ defense continued its stellar player. They knocked off the Saints and reigning NFC champion 49ers to reach Super Bowl XLVIII. Carroll’s club embarrassed the highest-scoring team in a single season in NFL history in a 43-8 conquest of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos—capturing the Lombardi Trophy.

Seattle’s offense, defense, and special teams all reached the end zone that day. It was a fitting performance for a team that allowed the fewest points and forced the most turnovers in the league in 2013.