2009 Seattle Seahawks season The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the 34th season for the team in the National Football League . The Seahawks improved in Jim Mora ' s first season as their head coach , after a disappointing 4 – 12 record and a 3rd place finish in what was Mike Holmgren ' s final season coaching the team . However , Mora was fired January 8 , 2010 . Offseason . Staff changes . At the beginning of the 2008 season , then - head coach Mike Holmgren stated that 2008 would be his final season before retiring . On December 30 , 2008 , two days after the season ended , Holmgren officially retired and stepped down as head coach . Jim Mora , the team ' s assistant head coach and defensive backs coach , was officially selected as his replacement on January 13 , 2009 . The retirement and Jim Mora ' s accession had been originally announced on January 22 , 2008 . Mora then began to replace most of the staff that Holmgren had last year . Defensive coordinator John Marshall and defensive line coach Dwaine Board were both fired on January 12 , 2009 . Subsequently , former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Casey Bradley was hired as the new defensive coordinator . Also , former New York Jets assistant Dan Quinn replaced Board as the defensive line coach and as the new assistant head coach . The offensive side was also revamped as well . Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell was dismissed after 8 years with the Seahawks . Former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp , who had previously worked with Mora when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons , was hired as his replacement on January 14 , 2009 . Mora also fired wide receivers coach Keith Gilbertson and was replaced with former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant receivers coach Robert Prince . Finally , tight ends coach Jim Lind and special teams assistant John Jamison both retired after the 2008 season . Mike DeBord , formerly the offensive line assistant coach , replaced Lind although no replacement has been named for Jamison . Key departures . Running back Maurice Morris , who backed up starter Julius Jones last season , signed with the Detroit Lions . The Seahawks also lost defensive tackle Rocky Bernard to the New York Giants . Fan favorite Bobby Engram was released and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the Seahawks signed wide receiver T . J . Houshmandzadeh . The Seahawks were also in talks with fullback Leonard Weaver about a new contract , but ultimately he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles instead . Also , the Seahawks traded away Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson to the Lions . In all , the Seahawks lost a total of 14 players to free agency . Linebacker Leroy Hill was placed under the franchise tag on February 19 , 2009 . However , discussions for a long term deal between Hill and the Seahawks were slow , and they continued to stall up to the draft . In a effort to speed up negotiations . the Seahawks removed their franchise tag on Hill less than 24 hours within the first draft day , thereby releasing him to free agency and allowing him to sign with other teams . However , on April 30 , 2009 , Hill agreed to a 6 - year , 38 million dollar deal with the Seahawks . Moments after signing Edgerrin James to a one - year deal , the Seahawks release running back T . J . Duckett to make room on their roster . Duckett previously led the team in rushing touchdowns last year . Safety Brian Russell was also released on September 5 , 2009 . Russell had started at safety for the Seahawks since coming in at the start of the 2007 season . Lawyer Milloy , signed after Russell ' s departure , is expected to fill his spot along with Jordan Babineaux . Key additions . The Seahawks made big splashes during the offseason as well . On March 1 , Seattle signed defensive tackle Colin Cole from the Green Bay Packers to a 5 - year contract to address problems on their defensive line . They also received defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth round pick in exchange for the Peterson trade mentioned above . Perhaps the biggest move in free agency , however , was the signing of former Pro Bowl wide receiver T . J . Houshmandzadeh from the Cincinnati Bengals to a 5 - year , $ 40 million deal with $ 15 million guaranteed two days after signing Cole . Houshmandzadeh was rated as one of the top free agents available . After rescinding their franchise tag on Hill , the Seahawks signed former Carolina Panthers corner back Ken Lucas to a one year deal in order to bolster their pass coverage . They also signed fullback Justin Griffith from the Oakland Raiders to address the departure of Weaver . It was known that releasing of Hill created some flexibility on the salary cap of where these two deals go into play . On August 25 , 2009 , the Seahawks signed running back Edgerrin James to a 1 - year , $ 2 million dollar deal . James last played with division rival Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasaons and played a vital role in their playoff run last year . The Seahawks also signed veteran safety Lawyer Milloy to a one - year deal , who is expected to make a big impact to the team . 2009 NFL Draft . Seattle traded their 5th round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Keary Colbert , but received another 5th round draft pick from Detroit . On draft day , the Seahawks traded away their 2nd round pick ( 37th overall ) to the Denver Broncos for their 2010 1st round pick . They also traded for Chicago ' s 2nd round pick ( 49th overall ) in return for both their 3rd and 4th round picks in the draft ( 68th and 105th respectively ) . Finally , the Seahawks traded for Philadelphia ' s 3rd round pick ( 91st overall ) for their 2010 3rd round pick and their 5th and 7th round picks in the draft ( 137th and 213rd respectively ) . Regular season results . Week 1 : vs . St . Louis Rams . Head Coach Jim Mora era began his coaching debut for the Seahawks with a game at home against division rival St . Louis Rams . Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and the offense struggled early , turning over the ball three times ( two interceptions and one fumble ) on the first quarter alone . After Rams kicker Josh Brown missed a 37 - yard field goal for the lead , Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to their first score of the game after he connected with tight end John Carlson for a touchdown . With the second quarter coming to a close , St . Louis returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown , only to have it overruled by a penalty . This gave another chance for the Seahawks to score , as Hasselbeck threw his second touchdown of the game to Nate Burleson to put the Seahawks up 14 – 0 by halftime . When the third quarter started , the Seahawks looked to increase its lead to win the game . Hasselbeck would lead the Seahawks to a 99 - yard drive , capping it off 33 - yard touchdown pass to Carlson . Julius Jones would seal the win with a 62 - yard touchdown ( and rushing 119 in total ) run to put Seattle up by 28 . The Seahawks defense would shutout the Rams , as they totaled only 247 total yards on offense and forcing two fumbles and three sacks . Seattle moved to 1 – 0 to start off the season , and beat the Rams for the ninth straight time . Week 2 : at San Francisco 49ers . Coming off their shutout home win over the Rams , the Seahawks flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 2 NFC West showdown with the San Francisco 49ers . Seattle would trail early in the first quarter as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 37 - yard field goal , along with running back Frank Gore getting a 79 - yard touchdown run . The Seahawks would respond in the second quarter as kicker Olindo Mare made a 36 - yard field goal . San Francisco would reply with Nedney making a 42 - yard field goal . As the Seahawks looked to bounced back from the deficit , quarterback Matt Hasselbeck received an injury as he was hit on the ground by 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis . Hasselbeck would leave the game with cracked ribs , yet Seattle closed out the half with backup Seneca Wallace completing a 1 - yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones . In the third quarter , the Seahawks deficit quickly increased as on the 49ers ' first offensive play of the second half , Gore would explode for an 80 - yard touchdown run . San Francisco would close the game out in the fourth quarter as Nedney nailed a 39 - yard field goal . With the loss , Seattle fell to 1 – 1 . Week 3 : vs . Chicago Bears . Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the 49ers , the Seahawks went home , donned their alternate uniforms , and prepared for a Week 3 duel with the Chicago Bears . Due to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck ' s rib injury , Seneca Wallace got the start for the game . Seattle would take flight in the first quarter with Wallace ' s 39 - yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones and kicker Olindo Mare ' s 46 - yard field goal . The Seahawks would tack on Mare ' s 37 - yard field goal in the second quarter , yet the Bears would answer with quarterback Jay Cutler ' s 1 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen . Chicago would take in the lead in the third quarter with Cutler ' s 7 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Knox , followed by kicker Robbie Gould ' s 37 - yard field goal . The Seahawks would regain the lead in the fourth quarter with Mare ' s 39 - yard and 46 - yard field goal . However , the Bears got the last laugh as Cutler hooked up with wide receiver Devin Hester on a 36 - yard touchdown pass ( with a successful 2 - point conversion pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett ) . Seattle tried to rally , but Chicago ' s defense held on for the win . With the loss , the Seahawks fell to 1 – 2 . Week 4 : at Indianapolis Colts . Trying to snap a two - game losing streak , the Seahawks flew to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 4 inter - conference duel with the Indianapolis Colts . Seattle would trail as Colts running back Donald Brown got a 1 - yard touchdown run in the first quarter , followed by quarterback Peyton Manning ' s 5 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne . The Seahawks would get on the board with a 38 - yard field goal from kicker Olindo Mare , but Indianapolis would close out the half with Manning ' s 21 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Austin Collie . Following running back Joseph Addai ' s 12 - yard touchdown run in the third quarter , the Colts would seal the win with kicker Adam Vinatieri ' s 37 - yard and 19 - yard field goals . Seattle would end the game with quarterback Seneca Wallace getting a 1 - yard touchdown run and completing a 1 - yard touchdown pass to fullback Owen Schmitt . With the loss , the Seahawks fell to 1 – 3 . Week 5 : vs . Jacksonville Jaguars . After missing two weeks with cracked ribs , quarterback Matt Hasselbeck played for the first time since week two at San Francisco . Trying to snap a three - game losing streak , Hasselbeck started the offense off quickly , with Olindo Mare completing two field goals to put Seattle up by 6 . The Seahawks defense also held its own , including a 4th - and - 2 stop when the Jaguars threaten to score in the red zone . Later in the 2nd quarter , Hasselbeck would find wide receiver T . J . Houshmandzadeh for his first touchdown of the year , putting Seattle up 13 – 0 . On their next offensive drive , Hasselbeck would connect with Nate Burleson for another touchdown , extending their lead to 20 – 0 , which they took into halftime . Starting the third quarter on offense , David Garrard and the Jaguars tried to put some points on the board . However , all of their hopes were dashed when defensive end Cory Redding recovered a key fumble for 26 yards . Taking advantage of this , Hasselbeck again found Houshmandzadeh for his second touchdown to seal the game at 27 – 0 . The Seahawks would later score again as Matt Hasselbeck threw his fourth touchdown again to Burleson , while defensive end Nick Reed scored from 79 yards out from a fumble recovery , putting the Seahawks up 41 – 0 . With the win , the Seahawks improved to 2 – 3 for the season . Week 6 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . Fresh off their dominating win over the Jaguars , the Seahawks stayed at home for a Week 6 NFC West duel with the Arizona Cardinals . Seattle would trail in the first quarter as Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 2 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald , followed by running back Tim Hightower ' s 2 - yard touchdown run . Arizona would increase its lead in the second quarter with a 29 - yard field goal from kicker Neil Rackers . The Seahawks would then get on the board as kicker Olindo Mare nailed a 28 - yard field goal . However , the Cardinals took control in the second half as Warner found wide receiver Steve Breaston on a 16 - yard touchdown pass in the third quarter , followed by Rackers ' 31 - yard field goal in the fourth . With the loss , Seattle went into their bye week at 2 – 4 . Week 8 : at Dallas Cowboys . Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Cardinals , the Seahawks flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 8 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , Seattle struck first as kicker Olindo Mare got a 43 - yard field goal . However , the Cowboys answered with quarterback Tony Romo ' s 36 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sam Hurd . Dallas would increase their lead in the second quarter with a 2 - yard touchdown run from running back Marion Barber . The Seahawks would reply with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completing a 23 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch , but Dallas came right back with Romo finding wide receiver Roy Williams on a 7 - yard touchdown pass . The Cowboys took a huge lead with Romo ' s 3 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Austin , followed by wide receiver Patrick Crayton returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Dallas closed out its scoring with a 40 - yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk . Seattle tried to rally , but could only muster up Hasslebeck ' s 4 - yard touchdown pass to fullback Justin Griffith . With the loss , the Seahawks fell to 2 – 5 . Week 9 : vs . Detroit Lions . Trying to snap a two - game losing streak , the Seahawks went home for a Week 9 duel with the Detroit Lions . Seattle would trail in the first quarter as Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed a 7 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew and a 29 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryant Johnson , followed by kicker Jason Hanson getting a 41 - yard field goal . Seattle would answer in the second quarter as running back Julius Jones got a 3 - yard touchdown run , followed by kicker Olindo Mare nailing a pair of 37 - yard field goals . In the third quarter , the Seahawks took the lead as Mare got a 24 - yard field goal , while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hooked up with wide receiver T . J . Houshmandzadeh on a 2 - yard touchdown pass ( with a failed two - point conversion ) . Seattle would increase their lead in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20 - yard field goal . Detroit tried to rally as Hanson made a 50 - yard field goal , yet the Seahawks would end the game with cornerback Josh Wilson returning an interception 61 yards for a touchdown . With the win , Seattle improved to 3 – 5 . Week 10 : at Arizona Cardinals . Coming off their home win over the Lions , the Seahawks flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals . Seattle took flight in the first quarter as running back Justin Forsett got an 11 - yard touchdown run . The Seahawks would add onto their lead in the second quarter with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completing a 31 - yard touchdown pass to tight end John Carlson . The Cardinals would answer with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a 28 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston , yet Seattle came right back with a 32 - yard field goal from kicker Olindo Mare . Arizona would close out the half with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 27 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cardinals would tie the game with running back Chris " Beanie " Wells getting a 10 - yard touchdown run . The Seahawks would respond in the fourth quarter as Mare booted a 20 - yard field goal , but Arizona got the last laugh as Wells picked up a 13 - yard touchdown run and Warner hooked up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on an 18 - yard touchdown pass . With the loss , Seattle fell to 3 – 6 . Week 11 : at Minnesota Vikings . Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Cardinals , the Seahawks flew to the Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome for a Inter conference Duel with the Minnesota Vikings . Seattle trailed early in the second quarter when QB Brett Favre completed three touchdown passes : One to WR Percy Harvin for 23 yards , TE Visanthe Shiancoe for 8 yards and then to WR Bernard Berrian for 3 yards . Then in the third quarter the margin increased as Favre hooked up with WR Sidney Rice on a 7 - yard touchdown pass . Then Seattle ' s kicker Olindo Mare got a 40 - yard field goal to avoid a shutout loss . In the fourth quarter the margin increased even further as QB Tarvaris Jackson made a 34 - yard touchdown pass to WR Sidney Rice , then Seattle has their first touchdown of this game when RB Justin Forsett made a 1 - yard run ( With a failed 2 - point conversion attempt ) . With the loss , Seattle fell to 3 – 7 . Week 17 : vs . Tennessee Titans . Chris Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to break 2 , 000 rushing yards and also broke the record ( held by Marshall Faulk ) of total yards from scrimmage at 2 , 509 . Johnson rushed 36 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns ; a 64 - yard rushing score was called back on a holding penalty . Matt Hasselback was 15 – 30 for 175 yards , one touchdown , and one pick .