SEATTLE, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Matt Hasselbeck tossed four TD passes and Marshawn Lynch added a long scoring run Saturday in Seattle's 41-36 win over New Orleans in a wild-card playoff game.
Hasselbeck went 22-of-35 passing for 272 yards and Lynch nailed down the victory with a spectacular, 67-yard TD run with 3:22 remaining to give the Seahawks the surprise victory over the NFL champion Saints.
Hasselbeck connected with John Carlson twice and with Brandon Stokley on first-half scoring strikes and found Mike Williams on a 38-yard score for a 31-20 advantage in the third quarter.
The Saints had narrowed the deficit to 34-30 late in the game when Lynch took a handoff and broke six tackles en route to the game-clinching TD run.
The Seahawks made the playoffs after winning the NFC West with a 7-9 record -- the first time a losing team has ever made the post-season.
Drew Breese amassed 404 yards on 39-of-60 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions in New Orleans' loss.
