The 1976 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 1st in the National Football League (NFL), This season was also the team's only one in the NFC until the league realigned divisions before the 2002 season, at which point the Seahawks were once again placed in the NFC West. The Seahawks obtained a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee from the Houston Oilers, who had drafted receiver Steve Largent in the 4th round in 1976. Largent would go on to be a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame wide receiver, playing in seven Pro Bowls, recorded over 13,000 receiving yards and score 100 touchdowns in a 14-year career with the Seahawks.
However, before the Seahawks even played their first game, tragedy struck, as the team's owner Lloyd W. Nordstrom died from a heart attack while vacationing in Mexico on January 20. Nordstrom had been instrumental in landing an NFL team in the Pacific Northwest, and hiring the front office, but he never had a chance to see his team take the field. The estate of Mr. Nordstrom would oversee the team (with Lloyd's son Elmer being chairman), with co-owner Herman Sarkowsky serving as the team's first chief operating officer.
The Seahawks, coached by Jack Patera, played their first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 1, and their first regular season game came on September 12 at the sold-out Kingdome. The Seahawks played a solid game, but had their desperation final pass intercepted in the endzone in a 30âÂÂ24 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Seahawks would go on to lose their first five games, before beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their brothers in expansion, 13âÂÂ10 in Tampa on October 17. Three weeks later, the Seahawks would earn their first (and only for that season) home victory by beating the Atlanta Falcons 30âÂÂ13 behind the 124-yard effort of running back Sherman Smith. These two wins would be the only ones for the season, as the first-year team compiled a record of 2âÂÂ12, making them the worst team in the NFC, although this was nevertheless better than their expansion cousins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went 0âÂÂ14 in the AFC.
In its first year, Seattle played all of the teams in the NFC, plus fellow expansion team Tampa Bay, as a member of the NFC West.
The Seahawks played their first game in team history on September 12, 1976, hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. The Cardinals took a 3âÂÂ0 lead after Jim Bakken kicked a 28-yard field goal, however, the Seahawks fought back and Don Bitterlich kicked a 27-yard field goal to earn the first points in team history, and to tie the game at 3âÂÂ3. St. Louis took a 10âÂÂ3 lead in the second quarter, as Ike Harris caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jim Hart. The Cardinals then kicked another field goal to take a 13âÂÂ3 lead into halftime. St. Louis stayed hot in the third quarter, as Pat Tilley caught a 27-yard pass for a touchdown, followed by another field goal by Jim Bakken, as St. Louis took a commanding 23âÂÂ3 lead. The Seahawks cut into the lead late in the third quarter, as Sam McCullum scored the first touchdown in team history, completing a 15-yard pass from Jim Zorn, as Seattle narrowed the Cardinals lead to 23âÂÂ10. In the fourth quarter, Cardinals running back Jim Otis scored a one-yard touchdown, as St. Louis took a 30âÂÂ10 lead. The Seahawks made a late charge in the fourth quarter, as McCullum scored his second touchdown of the game, completing a 72-yard pass from Zorn, to make the score 30âÂÂ17. Later in the quarter, Zorn had an eight-yard rushing touchdown, as the Seahawks cut the Cardinals lead down to six, 30âÂÂ24, however, it would be too late, as the Cardinals hung on for the victory.
With the loss, the Seahawks began the season 0âÂÂ1âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks played their first ever road game in week two, as they traveled across the country to Washington, D.C. to face the Washington Redskins. Washington opened the season with a 19âÂÂ17 win over the New York Giants in the first week of the season. The Redskins opened the scoring in the first quarter, as Mike Thomas rushed for five yards into the Seahawks' end zone to give Washington a 7âÂÂ0 lead. In the second quarter, Redskins kicker Mark Moseley kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score 10âÂÂ0. Jean Fugett then completed a 12-yard pass from Billy Kilmer to give the Redskins a 17âÂÂ0 lead heading into halftime. In the third quarter, Mike Thomas earned his second touchdown of the game, as he caught a 10-yard pass from Kilmer to increase the Redskins lead to 24âÂÂ0. The Seahawks got on the board in the fourth quarter, as Don Testerman rushed one yard into the end zone to cut Washington's lead to 24âÂÂ7, however, the Redskins Frank Grant caught a five-yard pass from Kilmer, as Washington won the game easily by a 31âÂÂ7 score.
Seattle fell to 0âÂÂ2âÂÂ0 with the loss.
The Seahawks returned home for the third week of the season, as they faced the San Francisco 49ers, who had a 1âÂÂ1âÂÂ0 record during their first two games. The 49ers took control of the game early, as in the first quarter, kicker Steve Mike-Mayer had a 45-yard field goal to give San Francisco a 3âÂÂ0 lead. The Niners then took a 10âÂÂ0 lead when Ralph McGill ran back a 50-yard punt return. Gene Washington completed a 38-yard pass from quarterback Jim Plunkett to give the 49ers a 17âÂÂ0 lead in the first quarter. The Seahawks Hugh McKinnis had a one-yard rush into the 49ers' end zone to cut San Francisco's lead to 17âÂÂ7 at the end of the quarter. The 49ers took a 24âÂÂ7 lead when Washington caught his second touchdown completion of the game in the second quarter, followed by a 52-yard touchdown completion by Willie McGee as San Francisco had a 31âÂÂ7 lead going into halftime. In the third quarter, McKinnis rushed for his second touchdown of the game to cut the 49ers lead to 31âÂÂ14. In the fourth quarter, Seattle continued to come back, as Steve Largent caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Jim Zorn to make the score 31âÂÂ21. The 49ers Steve Mike-Mayer then kicked two late field goals in the game, as San Francisco won 37âÂÂ21.
The loss dropped the Seahawks to 0âÂÂ3âÂÂ0.
The Dallas Cowboys came into the Kingdome for the Seahawks fourth game of the season. Dallas had a record of 3âÂÂ0 to begin the year. The Seahawks took the lead in the game for the first time in team history in the first quarter when Don Testerman caught a seven-yard touchdown completion from Jim Zorn to give Seattle a 7âÂÂ0 lead on the undefeated Cowboys. In the second quarter, the Seahawks continued to stun the Cowboys, as Jim Zorn threw his second touchdown completion, this time a four-yard pass to Steve Largent, however, the extra point convert failed, as Seattle took a 13âÂÂ0 lead. The Cowboys began to comeback, as Drew Pearson caught an eight-yard pass from Roger Staubach for a touchdown to cut the Seahawks lead to 13âÂÂ7. Dallas then took a 14âÂÂ13 lead into halftime, as Charley Young caught a 25-yard pass by Staubach for a touchdown at the end of the quarter. The Cowboys scored another touchdown in the third quarter, as Robert Newhouse rushed for 24 yards into the Seahawks' end zone. Dallas put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, scoring their fourth touchdown in a row when Doug Dennison had a one-yard run, as the Cowboys won the game 28âÂÂ13.
With the loss, the Seahawks record dropped to 0âÂÂ4âÂÂ0.
After two home games in a row, the Seahawks were back on the road for the fifth week of the season, as they visited the Green Bay Packers at County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Packers entered the game with a 1âÂÂ3âÂÂ0 record. Green Bay opened the scoring in the first quarter, when Barty Smith rushed for a yard into the Seahawks' end zone to give the Packers a 7âÂÂ0 lead. The Seahawks responded with a big second quarter, as Steve Raible ran back a 26-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown to even the score at 7âÂÂ7. The Seahawks took a 10âÂÂ7 lead as John Leypoldt kicked a 48-yard field goal. Leypoldt kicked a second field goal, a 44-yard kick, to give Seattle a 13âÂÂ7 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, the Seahawks took a 20âÂÂ7 lead when Ralph Nelson ran for a one-yard touchdown. The Packers cut the lead to 20âÂÂ14 when Steve Odom caught a 66-yard pass from Lynn Dickey to close out the third quarter. In the fourth, the Packers took a 21âÂÂ20 lead when Barty Smith ran for a six-yard touchdown. Green Bay scored another touchdown, this time a six-yard rush by Willard Harrell, however, the extra point failed, as the Packers took the lead 27âÂÂ20, and hung on to win the game.
With the loss, the Seahawks dropped to 0âÂÂ5âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks remained on the road for the sixth week of the season, traveling to Tampa, Florida to face their expansion cousins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers entered the game with a 0âÂÂ5âÂÂ0 record. Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the first quarter, when kicker Dave Green connected for a 38-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers a 3âÂÂ0 lead. In the second quarter, the Seahawks took the lead when Sam McCullum caught a 15-yard pass from Jim Zorn to give the Seahawks a 7âÂÂ3 lead. Before the quarter was over, Seahawks kicker John Leypoldt had two field goals, to give Seattle a 13âÂÂ3 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Buccaneers cut the Seahawks lead down to three when Morris Owens caught a one-yard pass from Louis Carter to make it 13âÂÂ10 for the Seahawks. In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks held off the Buccaneers, as Seattle held on for the win, the first in team history.
With the win, the Seahawks improved their record to 1âÂÂ5âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks returned home after two consecutive road games, and faced the Detroit Lions, who had a 2âÂÂ4âÂÂ0 record in their first six games of the season. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter when kicker Benny Ricardo had a 25-yard field goal. Ricardo then kicked a 44-yard field goal to give Detroit a 6âÂÂ0 lead. The Lions then took a 13âÂÂ0 lead when David Hill caught a 20-yard pass for a touchdown from quarterback Greg Landry at the end of the first quarter. The Lions stretched their lead to 20âÂÂ0 when Levi Johnson intercepted a pass from Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn and ran it back 70 yards into the Seahawks' end zone in the second quarter. Seattle cut into the Lions lead when Hugh McKinnis rushed for a two-yard touchdown, to make the score 20âÂÂ7 for Detroit. Before halftime, McKinnis ran for another touchdown, this time a seven-yard run, to make the score 20âÂÂ14. The Lions took control of the game in the third quarter when Charlie Sanders caught an eight-yard pass for a touchdown to give the Lions a 27âÂÂ14 lead. Lawrence Gaines then caught a nine-yard pass for a touchdown as Detroit took a 34âÂÂ14 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Lions Lem Barney had a 24-yard interception and ran it back for a touchdown, as the Lions won the game 41âÂÂ14. Jim Zorn threw six interceptions in the game, and in total, the Seahawks had eight turnovers.
With the loss, the Seahawks record dropped to 1âÂÂ6âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks headed back on the road for the eighth week of the season, traveling to Los Angeles to face the NFC West Division leading Los Angeles Rams, who entered the game with a 5âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 record. The Rams opened the scoring in the first quarter, when Tom Dempsey kicked a 20-yard field goal to make it 3âÂÂ0 Los Angeles. The Rams then took a 10âÂÂ0 lead when Monte Jackson had a 41-yard interception for a touchdown from Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn. Los Angeles took a 17âÂÂ0 lead when Lawrence McCutcheon had a six-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a touchdown by Ron Jessie as he caught a 15-yard pass from James Harris, giving the Rams a 24âÂÂ0 lead after the first quarter. The Seahawks broke the shutout in the second quarter, when John Leypoldt was good on a 43-yard field goal attempt to cut the Rams lead to 24âÂÂ3. Los Angeles took a 31âÂÂ3 lead into halftime after Harold Jackson caught a 30-yard pass from Harris. In the third quarter, John Leypoldt connected for his second field goal of the game for the Seahawks, making the score 31âÂÂ6 for the Rams. Los Angeles took a 38âÂÂ6 lead in the fourth quarter when Rob Scribner rushed for a yard into the Seahawks' end zone. The Rams capped off the scoring when Tom Geredine caught a pass from Pat Haden, giving the Rams the victory by a score of 45âÂÂ6.
With the loss, the Seahawks record fell to 1âÂÂ7âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks returned to Seattle for their ninth game of the season, as they hosted the Atlanta Falcons, who entered the game with a 2âÂÂ6âÂÂ0 record. After a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons opened the scoring in the second, when kicker Nick Mike-Mayer was successful on an 18-yard attempt to give Atlanta a 3âÂÂ0 lead. The Seahawks responded when Sherman Smith caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jim Zorn, as Seattle took a 7âÂÂ3 lead. The Seahawks upped their lead to 14âÂÂ3 by halftime, when John McMakin had a 31-yard touchdown reception. In the third quarter, Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown tackled the Falcons Rolland Lawrence in the Falcons' end zone for a safety, giving Seattle a 16âÂÂ3 lead. Nick Mike-Mayer of the Falcons kicked his second field goal of the game later in the quarter to cut the Seahawks lead to 16âÂÂ6, however, Al Matthews of the Seahawks intercepted a pass from Falcons quarterback Kim McQuilken and ran it 40 yards into the Falcons' end zone, giving the Seahawks a 23âÂÂ6 lead. Before the end of the third quarter, the Seahawks added another touchdown when Sherman Smith had a 53-yard rush, as Seattle took a 30âÂÂ6 lead. Alfred Jenkins of the Falcons scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, however, the Seahawks won the game 30âÂÂ13 for their first ever victory at the Kingdome.
With the win, Seattle improved to 2âÂÂ7âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks were on the road for their tenth game of the season, as they headed to Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota to face the Minnesota Vikings. It was a very cold day, as the temperature at kickoff was 24 degrees, 16 with the windchill. Heading into the game, the Vikings had a 7âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 record. Minnesota took a 7âÂÂ0 lead in the first quarter when Brent McClanahan rushed for a yard into the Seahawks' end zone. Seattle responded and tied the game at 7âÂÂ7 when quarterback Jim Zorn rushed 12 yards into the Vikings' end zone. Minnesota re-took the lead in the second quarter when Sammy White caught a 29-yard pass for a touchdown from Fran Tarkenton, giving the Vikings a 14âÂÂ7 into halftime. Seattle tied the game early in the third quarter, when Jim Zorn threw an 80-yard pass to Steve Raible, making the score 14âÂÂ14. Vikings kicker Fred Cox broke the tie with a 43-yard field goal to give Minnesota a 17âÂÂ14 lead, and then connected on a 39-yard attempt before the end of the quarter as the Vikings led the game 20âÂÂ14. Seattle took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter when Sam McCullum caught a seven-yard pass from Zorn, as the Seahawks took the lead 21âÂÂ20. The Vikings avoided the upset though, as Stu Voigt caught a five-yard pass from Tarkenton, giving the Vikings the victory by a score of 27âÂÂ21.
With the loss, Seattle fell to 2âÂÂ8âÂÂ0.
The Seahawks returned to the Kingdome for the eleventh week of the season, where they hosted the New Orleans Saints, who came into the game with a 3âÂÂ7âÂÂ0 record. Seattle opened the scoring when Sherman Smith had a one-yard rush into the Saints' end zone, however, the extra point failed, as the Seahawks had a 6âÂÂ0 lead. New Orleans cut the Seahawks lead in half when kicker Rich Szaro had a 46-yard field goal, making the score 6âÂÂ3 for Seattle. The Saints took full control of the game in the second quarter, as Bobby Douglass had two rushing touchdowns, followed by another field goal by Szaro, as the Saints scored 17 unanswered points to take a 20âÂÂ6 lead. New Orleans kept coming on strong in the third quarter, as Chuck Muncie had a three-yard rushing touchdown to make it 27âÂÂ6 for the Saints. Seattle cut into the Saints lead when Steve Largent caught an 11-yard pass from quarterback Bill Munson, making the score 27âÂÂ13 for New Orleans. The Saints responded with three touchdowns before the end of the quarter, two of them on Seahawks turnovers. The Saints Tom Myers returned a 20-yard fumble into the Seattle end zone to make the score 34âÂÂ13 for New Orleans. Elex Price then had a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Saints a 41âÂÂ13 lead, followed by a Tony Galbreath three-yard run into the Seahawks' end zone to give New Orleans a 48âÂÂ13 lead after three-quarters. In the fourth, the Seahawks Sherman Smith rushed for his second touchdown of the game, as the score was 48âÂÂ20 for New Orleans. The Saints Rich Szaro kicked his third field goal of the game, this time from 21 yards, as New Orleans went ahead 51âÂÂ20. Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn had a seven-yard touchdown rush late in the game, making the final score 51âÂÂ27 for the Saints.
With the loss, Seattle fell to 2âÂÂ9âÂÂ0.
For the twelfth week of the season, the Seahawks traveled across the country to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Seattle faced the New York Giants, who entered the game with a 1âÂÂ10âÂÂ0 record. The Seahawks opened the scoring in the first quarter when Sherman Smith had a two-yard rushing touchdown, however, the Seahawks failed in the extra point attempt and took a 6âÂÂ0 lead. Seattle stretched their lead to 9âÂÂ0 by the end of the first quarter when John Leypoldt hit a 45-yard field goal. The Giants fought back in the second quarter, as Gary Shirk caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Craig Morton, cutting the Seahawks lead to 9âÂÂ7. New York then took the lead when Gordon Bell ran for a two-yard touchdown, making the score 14âÂÂ9 for the Giants at halftime. The Giants struck again to open the scoring in the third quarter, as Gordon Bell rushed for his second touchdown of the game, this time for 21 yards, as New York took a 21âÂÂ9 lead. The Seahawks replied with their own rushing touchdown, as quarterback Jim Zorn rushed for seven yards into the Giants' end zone, cutting the New York lead to 21âÂÂ16. The Giants put the game away in the fourth quarter, as Eric Marshall caught a nine-yard touchdown reception, making the final score 28âÂÂ16 for New York.
The loss dropped the Seahawks to 2âÂÂ10âÂÂ0 on the season.
The Seahawks final home game of the season was against the Chicago Bears, who entered the game with a 6âÂÂ6âÂÂ0 record. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bears opened the scoring when Johnny Musso rushed for two yards into the Seahawks end zone, however, Chicago failed on the extra point attempt to take a 6âÂÂ0 lead. The Seahawks responded with their own touchdown, as John McMakin caught a 14-yard pass from Jim Zorn, giving Seattle a 7âÂÂ6 lead at halftime. The Bears took control of the game in the third quarter, as James Scott had a 63-yard touchdown reception, followed by a 30-yard touchdown reception, both from quarterback Bob Avellini, giving the Bears a 20âÂÂ7 lead. Before the quarter was over, Chicago took a 27âÂÂ7 when Roland Harper had a 39-yard touchdown reception. In the fourth quarter, the Bears went up 34âÂÂ7 when Randy Burks caught a 55-yard pass for a touchdown from Virgil Carter, as Chicago ended the game scoring 28 unanswered points.
The loss dropped Seattle to a record of 2âÂÂ11âÂÂ0.
Seattle headed on the road for the final game of the season, as they faced the Philadelphia Eagles on a cold day at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles entered the game with a 3âÂÂ10âÂÂ0 record. Philadelphia scored the lone touchdown in the first quarter, as Tom Sullivan had a four-yard rush into the Seahawks' end zone to give the Eagles a 7âÂÂ0 lead. In the second quarter, Sullivan rushed for his second touchdown, this time a one-yard rush at the goal line, as Philadelphia took a 14âÂÂ0 lead. The Seahawks got on the scoreboard when John Leypoldt connected for a 24-yard field goal, as the score was 14âÂÂ3 for the Eagles at halftime. The Eagles took a 17âÂÂ3 lead in the third quarter as Horst Muhlmann had a 33-yard field goal, then Philadelphia took a 24âÂÂ3 lead as Charlie Smith rushed for three yards into the Seattle end zone. In the fourth quarter, Muhlmann had his second field goal of the game, making the score 27âÂÂ3 for Philadelphia. The Seahawks cut the lead to 27âÂÂ10, as Steve Largent caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jim Zorn for the final score of the game.
The loss dropped the Seahawks' record to 2âÂÂ12âÂÂ0 for the season. It was also their last game as an NFC team for the next 26 years.