In the last game of the last week of the 2010 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks used a career backup quarterback to clinch the NFC West with a win over the St. Louis Rams. Charlie Whitehurst, starting in place of the injured starter Matt Hasselbeck, managed the game as well as could be expected, leading the Seahawks to a crucial win over the Rams. Whitehurst never turned the ball over and drew first blood, finding Mike Williams for the only score of the game. The defense did the rest.
Whitehurst finished the game with 192 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, playing mistake-free football and keeping the Seahawks in the game. Marshawn Lynch got stronger down the stretch after nearly fumbling the game away, rushing for 75 yards on 20 carries. Ruvell Martin, a former practice squad player, led the Seahawks with three catches for 85 yards.
Sam Bradford got almost no help from his receivers throughout the game and made a critical mistake that broke the Rams down the stretch. Though he did throw for 155 yards, Bradford had one crucial interception in the fourth quarter as Seattle linebacker Will Herring slide underneath a throw to pick Bradford off. Steven Jackson added 11 carries for 45 yards on the ground and added four catches for 39 yards.
The Seahawks, at 7-9, are your NFC West champion. They will be the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record, but it doesn’t matter in Seattle tonight. The Seahawks will host the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs next Saturday at Qwest Field.