Getty ImagesSeattle had just allowed its most points in the first half in its postseason history.
The second half was more of the same: Grant running wild. Hasselbeck throwing to receivers who couldn’t catch.
Nick Barnett yelled obscenities at Hasselbeck after an incompletion off Leonard Weaver’s chest. Hasselbeck responded by barking back at Barnett — then completing consecutive passes for 29 total yards to get Seattle into Green Bay territory.
The Seahawks could have pulled to within 35-24, but the fading, 35-year-old Pollard allowed Hasselbeck’s perfect pass to sail through his hands in the back of the end zone. Josh Brown kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 35-20.
It should have been 35-28.
Down 42-20 and desperate, Hasselbeck had another pass go off Ben Obomanu’s hands at the Packers 28. On fourth down, Pollard let another throw sail through his arms.
Hasselbeck looked frustrated, but Holmgren was impressed.
“I thought he handled his emotions very well today. He fought hard. We could have completed more balls,” Holmgren said, before grimacing and raising his eyebrows for emphasis.
“It hurts. It always hurts — unless you win the Super Bowl itself.”
As Hasselbeck said: “It’s just a really hollow feeling.”
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