What a difference two weeks makes, with their defeat of the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks odds to win the 2006 Super Bowl were technically the best in the league, at least in theory.  At that time they had been tied with the Colts for best record in the NFL, 13-2.

Early in the season, Indianapolis Colts 2006 Super Bowl odds were set at 6 to 1 and were the favorite tied with Philadelphia and New England.  The Seattle Seahawks odds were set at an amazing 25 to 1.

A final feather in their cap came with the defeat of the Washington Redskins, and this was without Shaun Alexander, who suffered a concussion early in the game. 

Despite losing the NFL MVP to an early concussion, the Seattle Seahawks ended their 21-year playoff drought Saturday by beating the Washington Redskins 20-10 behind Matt Hasselbeck and a stout defense.

"I told Matt at halftime that he had to shoulder the load," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. "We always put a lot on his shoulders, but I told him that now he had to do a little bit more."

Hasselbeck did.

He threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Seahawks advanced to the NFC title game next week against the winner of Sunday's game in Chicago between Carolina and the Bears.

Holmgren said he was optimistic that Alexander will be able to play. Alexander, injured in the first 10½ minutes, did not talk to reporters.

The win ended the longest run without a postseason victory by any NFL team -- Seattle had been 0-6 since its last playoff win on Dec. 22, 1984. Next week's game will be the second title game in the franchise's 30-year history -- the Seahawks played for the AFC championship after the 1983 season.

Seattle no longer has to worry about facing the darling Colts in a Super Bowl game as they were defeated by Pittsburgh at home in the Divisional Playoffs.

The Steelers represent the last of the teams with best early Odds to win the 2006 Super Bowl  The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were listed with 30/1 and 25/1 odds to win the Super Bowl, respectively.  The Pittsburgh Steelers had odds of 12 to 1 and were among the top 6 teams most likely to win the big game. 

Seattle was certainly among the favorites to walk away with a Super Bowl title heading into the NFL Playoffs with odds set at 13 to 2, a stark contrast from the preseason odds. 

Tyrone Black, www.gambling911.com

Originally published December 24, 2005 7:55 pm EST

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