1998 Seattle Seahawks season


The 1998 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 23rd season in the National Football League, the 23rd playing their home games at the Kingdome, and the fourth and final under head coach head coach Dennis Erickson. They matched their 8–8 record from 1997, but a late-season loss to the [1998 1998 New York Jets season|New York Jets season|New York Jets] came due to a controversial call when Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde ran in a touchdown but was downed short of the goal line yet the play was ruled a touchdown; the loss helped knock Seattle to 6–7. They won the next two games but a loss to the [1998 1998 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos] in the final week saw them finish 8–8 and out of the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.

Offseason

Undrafted free agents

PlayerPositionCollege
Brian FinneranWide receiverVillanova
Vershan JacksonFullbackNebraska
Stanley JacksonWide receiverOhio State
Dirk JohnsonPunterNorthern Colorado
Paul SpicerDefensive endSaginaw Valley State
Jason SadlerOffensive TackleNevada

Personnel

Final roster

  • Starters in bold.
  • Denotes players that were selected for the 1999 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

Regular season

Divisional matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC East.

Game summaries

Regular season

Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders


Week 14: at New York Jets

Vinny Testaverde's controversial touchdown on fourth down from the five-yard line with 20 seconds remaining gave the Jets the victory. Replays showed that Testaverde's helmet crossed the goal line, but not the ball. This play is widely attributed as being responsible for bringing back instant replay to the NFL in 1999.

Awards and records

The 1998 Seahawks hold the record for most defensive touchdowns in a season, with 10.
In 2012 the Chicago Bears tied the record.