Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson is a machine when it comes to his performance against past Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. He currently possesses a 10-0 record in said matchups.
Defeating some of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks has Wilson and his Seahawks on the brink of a second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. It also has the third-year quarterback on the verge of making history.
Let’s take a look back at Wilson’s 10 victories.
1. Defeats Aaron Rodgers (Week 3, 2012)
Statistics: 10/21, 130 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions
This victory came in the form of a “touchdown pass” from Wilson to Golden Tate that would end up being coined as the “Fail Mary.” Probably getting a little help from above, this game sparked tons of controversy over replacement officials and led to the regulars returning the following week.
2. Defeats Tom Brady (Week 6, 2012)
Statistics: 16/27, 293 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions
Wilson lit it up passing for his high at the time of 293 yards, three touchdowns in a 24-23 win over the New England Patriots. He threw a game-clinching 46-yard touchdown to Sidney Rice with 1:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.
3. Defeats Drew Brees (Week 13, 2013)
Statistics: 22/30, 310 yards, three touchdown and zero interceptions
Wilson handily outplayed Brees in his first matchup against the veteran. He missed on just eight of 30 passes attempts and tallied over 300 yards in a 34-7 blowout of the New Orleans Saints.
4. Defeats Eli Manning (Week 15, 2013)
Statistics: 18/27, 206 yards, one touchdown and one interception
With a comfortable 13-0 halftime lead against Eli and the New York Giants, Wilson cut down on his pass attempts and let the Legion Boom do the rest. In addition to 206 yards through the air, Wilson ran for another 50 on the ground in a 23-0 blowout victory.
5. Defeats Drew Brees (2013 Divisional Playoffs)
Statistics: 9/18, 103 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions
courtesy sportsworldreport.com
The win wasn’t exactly one of Wilson’s best efforts. However, Seattle’s 16-0 halftime lead enabled the team to pound-and-ground it on offense. The Seahawks finished with 174 rushing yards, while Wilson completed single-digit passes in the 23-15 playoff victory.
6. Defeats Peyton Manning (Super Bowl XLVIII)
Statistics: 18/25, 206 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions
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This was Wilson’s best win of the 10. And it came at the expense of Manning’s Broncos in a blowout Super Bowl victory. Wilson Passed for 206 yards and two touchdowns, including a 23-yard strike to Jermaine Kearse in the 43-8 win.
7. Defeats Aaron Rodgers (Week 1, 2014)
Statistics: 19/28, 191 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions
See a theme here? Wilson has absolutely owned Rodgers and the Packers during his career. He threw two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a dominating 36-16 season-opening victory. While Rodgers caved under pressure, Wilson breezed through the Packers defense without much of an issue.
8. Defeats Peyton Manning (Week 3, 2014)
Statistics: 24/34, 258 yards, two touchdowns and one interception
It was quite embarrassing for Manning to go down to the Wilson and the Seahawks in this “revenge game.” Wilson put up nearly 300 total yards and two scores, including a 39-yard strike to Ricardo Lockette, in the 26-20 overtime win.
9. Defeats Eli Manning (Week 10, 2014)
Statistics: 10/17, 172 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions
Another Manning down. Putting up an amazing 107 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, Wilson highlighted a 38-17 victory over the New York Giants. And despite throwing two interceptions, Wilson outplayed another Manning brother.
10. Defeats Aaron Rodgers (2014 NFC Championship Game)
Statistics: 14/29, 209 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions
This game is obviously fresh in everyone’s minds considering it took place just a few days back. While Wilson stumbled horribly out of the game, he picked things up piece by piece and claimed victory with a touchdown strike to Jermaine Kearse in overtime.
Will we have No. 11 to add to this absolutely amazing list? Wilson will face Tom Brady and the Patriots for the second time in his career in the upcoming Super Bowl. Will Brady finally put a knife into Wilson’s perfect record or will Seattle’s quarterback deflate Brady’s chances of earning a fourth Super Bowl title? Time will tell.
But for now, just take a gander at Wilson’s overall stats in games against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
62.5 completion percentage, 2,078 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 97.1 rating.
Yeah, that’s pretty awesome.
Photo: seattlepi.com