Photo Blog - Eye on the Seahawks at Texans
Team photographer Rod Mar takes you along with the team as they traveled to Houston and returned with the best start in franchise history.
The Seahawks, including cornerback Richard Sherman, center, enter the team hotel after a long day that began with meetings and practice in Seattle, a three-and-a-half hour flight, then arrival in Houston and a late team meal.
Thunderstorms and rain dotted the Houston area on Saturday, and dumped rain onto the team's walk-thru which was held at a local outdoor field.
Players like to both test and amuse themselves playing games such as this one being played by the receivers where they do anything they can to keep the ball in the air. This drill foreshadowed the defensive interception on Sunday where the KJ Wright, Brandon Browner and Kam Chancellor kept the ball alive for an Earl Thomas interception.
Following walk-thru, the team made a brief visit to Reliant Stadium, where rookie Steven Williams captured some photos with his cell phone.
Seattleites spent the weekend drenched in rain, and the Seahawks experienced much of the same in Houston, albeit warner and more humid. This view from the front of Seahawks Bus #3 shows the dreary conditions as the team traveled back to the team hotel after walk-thru.
Players often listen to music on the bus rides, and Lemuel Jeanpierre was no exception.
Two hours before kickoff on Sunday, assistant coach Rocky Seto makes final notes in a far corner of the visiting locker room at Reliant Stadium. Seto uses one of the team's packing crates as his makeshift desk.
Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr. gives instructions to his players during warmups. Norton's father, the legendary heavyweight fighter Ken Norton, passed away during the week.
Seattle's defensive unit gathers before taking the field during pregame.
Seattle's return specialists including Walter Thurmond, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin head down the tunnel to the field for pregame warmups in their compete Wolf Grey uniforms.
As is becoming a familiar site, members of the 12thMan were loud, proud, and very visible at Reliant Stadium as the Seahawks faced the Houston Texans.
Seahawks defenders including Legion of Boom members Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman instinctively keep a Houston pass alive before safety Earl Thomas makes a diving inteception. The play thwarted an early Texans drive near the red zone.
Seattle's offense struggled early and along the sideline, veteran running back Marshawn Lynch met with his linemen between series.
Defensive captain Red Bryant stares at the scoreboard in the first half as the Seahawks fell behind 20-3 before the break.
Seattle came out firing in the second half as running back Marshawn Lynch finds room to run thanks to blocks from J.R. Sweezy and Lemuel Jeanpierre.
Seattle's defense, which gave up an uncharacteristic 324 yards and 20 points in the first half, clamped down and held the Texans scoreless in the second half.
Marshawn Lynch poses after crossing the goal line with a touchdown that brought the Seahawks to within seven points, trailing 20-13.
The biggest play of the day happened late in the fourth quarter when Richard Sherman intercepted a pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown that would tie the game at 20-20. Notice that Sherman's right shoe is coming off as he runs.
Eventually Sherman lost his right Nike shoe but that didn't stop him from sprinting to the end zone to tie the game.
As Pete Carroll, left and Russell Wilson, right, celebrate, Sherman only has eyes for the end zone.
Houston still had chances to win at the end of regulation and in overtime, but Seattle's defense only grew stronger. In overtime, safety Earl Thomas leaps high to swat away a pass intended for tight end Owen Daniels.
Quarterback Russell Wilson used his running ability to keep the Seahawks alive in several key drives down the stretch, including converting a fourth down conversion that led to a Seattle touchdown.
Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka stares down his game-winning 45 yard field goal in overtime to complete Seattle's stunning comeback at Houston.
Head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after Steven Hauschka's field goal was good, giving the Seahawks a 23-20 overtime win in Houston.
The Seahawks celebrate in their locker room after the win, where they overcame a 20-3 second half deficit to win in overtime, ensuing they would start the season 4-0 for the first time in team history.
Back in Seattle idehard members of the 12thMan braved heavy rains and greeted the team upon their arrival home from Houston.
