Win rewards generations of faithful

SEATTLE – This one was for that wide-eyed youngster on my flight from Spokane to Seattle on Saturday morning, wearing his Seahawks helmet and a Shaun Alexander No. 37 jersey.

For the droves that shuffled along Edgar Martinez Drive three hours before kickoff and then spent three hours screaming at the top of their lungs in a downpour at Qwest Field. For the couple chronicled in a Seattle newspaper that was married on the 50-yard line at the Kingdome and has spent $30,000 on Seahawks memorabilia, right down to their blue and green soap.

For all those long-suffering fans whose hopes have been stoked so often by the Seahawks only to watch them fizzle in the playoffs. For the collective psyche of a city that has waited 22 years to experience postseason euphoria.

For Cortez Kennedy, whose stellar Seahawk career from 1990-2000 ended with exactly zero playoff wins. He embraced Pro Bowl offensive tackle Walter Jones shortly after Seattle had survived a roller coaster, 20-10 NFC Divisional playoff victory over Washington.

“I just told him, ‘Thanks for everything,’ ” Kennedy said outside the Seahawks locker room, “and that the alumni love everything they’re doing.”

For owner Paul Allen, who had the smarts to make changes in the front office that helped set this season in motion.

“It’s hard to get over the hump, and I think we got over the hump today,” Allen said. “It’s all about taking the next step. We’re going to celebrate for a little bit and then we will be back focusing on next week.”

And, finally, for themselves. It would be impossible to put a more appropriate bow on Seattle’s first playoff victory since 1984 than fullback Mack Strong, the team’s elder statesman, bursting for a career-long, 32-yard run that led to a clinching field goal late in the fourth quarter.

OK, perhaps bursting is a stretch.

“We were joking with Mack that he took a lot of time off the clock on that run because of his speed,” Hasselbeck jabbed.

Seriously, Seahawks fans can credit Hasselbeck, who steered the team through a jittery afternoon that several times bordered on calamity, and a defense that survived three turnovers and kept Washington out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

Hasselbeck’s numbers weren’t spectacular – 16 of 26 for 215 yards – but they came against a stout defense that stymied Seattle’s running game, even before Alexander left with a concussion late in the first quarter, and seemed glued to the receivers.

What Hasselbeck did is find a way, sometimes with his legs, sometimes with an audible (see Strong’s run, which was originally a pass play) and sometimes with improvisation. The latter was evident when he motioned for Joe Jurevicius to head downfield to haul in a key 31-yard pass on a third-quarter touchdown drive. Hasselbeck punctuated it by fleeing the pocket and outrunning former Seahawk cornerback Shawn Springs to reach the right corner of the end zone.

“We put a lot on Matt’s shoulders anyway, and I told him he was going to have to do a little bit more (after Alexander exited),” head coach Mike Holmgren said. “He played a very fine game. They have a good defense and they’re physical and they hug you up pretty good.”

So enjoy this one, warts and all, while casting a wary eye toward the problems that emerged in this slugfest. A similar effort Sunday in the NFC Championship game – whether it be against Chicago or Carolina – will probably end Seattle’s magical season.

There is the question of Alexander’s health, though Holmgren anticipates he’ll be able to play next week. There were the three turnovers – two on returns – that probably would have been lethal against an opponent with more offensive firepower.

The secondary sprang a leak and allowed several long-gainers in the second half. Seattle’s special teams often cause observers to wince in anticipation of a penalty or a fumble.

But those are questions to be answered another day. Next Sunday, to be precise, when Seattle plays for a berth in the Super Bowl.

“I didn’t grow up a Seahawks fan, but I know why people love them here. They’ve had good guys and they’re good in the community,” said defensive end Bryce Fisher, a Renton native. “My dad has been rooting for this team so long. It’s about time he gets the chance to root for a winner.”