The Seattle Seahawks, much laughed at for winning the NFC West with a 7-9 record, have more than held their own against the New Orleans Saints in Saturday's NFL Wildcard match-up. In fact, the Seahawks lead the Saints, 24-20, at halftime. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck connected with former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley for a 45-yard touchdown with under 1:30 left on the clock in the second quarter.
The Saints had jumped out to an early 10-point lead in the first quarter on a Garrett Hartley 26-yard field goal and a one-yard touchdown pass by Drew Brees. However, the Seahawks responded with a Hasselbeck touchdown pass to tight end John Carlson with less than four minutes to play in the first quarter.
Julius Jones, who had been with the Seahawks for the first couple of weeks in the season, rushed five yards to give the Saints a 17-7 lead early in the second quarter. However, the Seahawks then scored 17 unanswered points, which was capped by the 45-yard touchdown pass by Hasselbeck.
The Saints added a field goal before the end of the half, but the Seahawks appear to have momentum on their side.