January 22nd is a momentous day in Seattle Seahawks history. Twelve years ago, the top-seeded Seahawks hosted the NFC Championship Game against the #5-seeded Carolina Panthers, with a trip to Super Bowl XL on the line. The Seahawks had never been to a Super Bowl before, whereas the Panthers were two seasons removed from an incredible run to their first Super Bowl appearance.
Seattle had a magical 13-3 season, with Shaun Alexander breaking the single-season record for touchdowns, Matt Hasselbeck posting career-best numbers, an elite offensive line anchored by Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson, and a defense that led the league in sacks.