Before Sunday's NFC Championship game, fans and experts berated the Seattle Seahawks for a lack of postseason experience and a questionable defense.

The Seahawks answered their critics in a resounding way Sunday in Seattle. They scored in every quarter against the Carolina Panthers, winning handily 34-14 to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Matt Hasselbeck played like a champion, throwing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, the highest rated quarterback in playoff history entering the game, struggled mightily, throwing 3 interceptions to a Seahawks defense that proved the critics wrong.

Shawn Alexander's 132 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns helped Seattle cement a place in the February 5th Super Bowl XL in Detroit.