LX Championship & East Coast Bias

[Aircrew]

Ever since the SB I've had several convos with friends who live in the midwest and on the east coast. From guys who are Seahawk fans like us to a Pats fan as well as a few others in between. What has stood out to me and my Hawk fan buddies is how consistently everyone is writing off our championship as a one-off and blaming it more on the Pats being historically weak instead of the Seahawks being dominant. Even the Pats fan is in a little bit of denial, which is hard to believe considering the ass kicking he was forced to witness. Now, I'm not really irked, or surprised, by any of this. I've maintained that "east coast bias" is alive and well, although in a little bit different form today than in say the 80's or 90's.
I guess my point is that the Seahawks have historically been the most successful when they're underdogs and/or being over looked. All of that is happening again and I honestly couldn't be happier. If we want to ****** next year (I won't say the word outloud or put it in print) then this is the best way to get that campaign started.

To the 2026 season and, well, you know..

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yup. The downplaying of their title is hilarious. And people are digging in. Love it.

 

[sutz]

The score works against us in a way. While it was a solid rout of a win, it wasn't the typical SB beatdown of 50-10 or something. Settling for field goals, which basically won the game for us, isn't as "impressive" as scoring lots of TDs.

 

[CouchLogic]

That line of thinking worked out SO well for every team last year. Hope they keep it up.

 

[SocialParasite]

Mediots: "ThE rAmS aRe ThE bEsT tEaM iN tHe LeAgUe!"

Seahawks: "We beat them in the NFCCG and went on to win the Super Bowl!"

Also mediots: "YeAh, WeLl, ThAt'S oNlY bEcAuSe YoU bEaT tHe TeAm WiTh ThE wEaKeSt ScHeDuLe!"



Can you argue with that logic?

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

I mean no disrespect to the OP, because I understand their frustration, but honestly, who cares? Why should it matter what other people think or perceive about this team?

They will forever be known as Superbowl 60 champions, and nothing can take that away. It doesn’t matter what John Smith living in Virginia thinks of the 2025 Seahawks. What matters is what YOU think of the team, and what history says. That’s it.

 

[Hawknight]

As a Seahawks fan, Super Bowl LX felt like the latest example of something many of us have noticed for years: Seattle often has to do more than other teams to earn the same level of respect. Even leading up to the championship game, much of the national discussion seemed centered on the Patriots, their history, and what a win would mean for them. The Seahawks were frequently portrayed as the underdog despite having one of the league's best defenses and a team that had consistently proven itself throughout the season.

Part of that comes from what many fans view as East Coast bias. Most major sports media outlets are located in the eastern part of the country, and teams from larger East Coast markets naturally receive more coverage. Those teams generate ratings, clicks, and conversation. Meanwhile, a West Coast team like Seattle often has to put together a sustained run of success before becoming the focus of the national narrative.

The time zone difference doesn't help either. Seahawks games are often played later in the day, and many East Coast viewers don't see every snap. As a result, Seattle's accomplishments can sometimes feel underappreciated. Throughout the season, the Seahawks kept winning with disciplined football, a physical defense, and a strong running game, yet the spotlight often seemed to shine elsewhere.

What made the Super Bowl LX victory so satisfying was that it removed all doubt. The Seahawks didn't win because of luck or a favorable matchup. They won because they controlled the line of scrimmage, played outstanding defense, forced mistakes, and executed their game plan better than their opponent. Kenneth Walker III and the running game set the tone, while the defense consistently disrupted the Patriots' offense. For one night, the conversation wasn't about market size, media narratives, or historical prestige—it was about the better football team.

In the end, the championship felt like validation not only for the players and coaches, but also for a fan base that has long believed Seattle does not always receive the recognition it deserves. Whether East Coast bias is real or simply a product of geography and media habits, Super Bowl LX served as a reminder that championships are won on the field, not in television studios. When the Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, there was no debate left to have. The best team in football was wearing blue and green.

 

[CouchLogic]

It doesn’t matter what John Smith living in Virginia thinks of the 2025 Seahawks.

...what did he have to say though???

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I don't care what that score showed. That was an absolutely a** woopin. It doesn't come CLOSE to telling the true story. Those who actually understand football know that the Hawks absolutely dominated that game.
A garbage time TD doesn't change what we saw. They did absolutely NOTHING thru 3 quarters.

 

[jammerhawk]

To me it is normal for the Hawks to be disrespected, they were lucky against the Rams, the 49ers were hurt, they aren't an exciting team to watch, etc., etc.. The Patriots were a weak team. The latest now from Manti T'eo of GMFB Sirius NFL, "not excited by them, they aren't explosive or exciting and he categorizes them if compared to wrestling as grapplers, rather than fun wrestlers, effective but boring". As per the majority he slobbers over the Rams who our boy Sam beat 2x when it counted and only lost the other time to ball insecurity. Even when they won XLVIII Peyton Manning had on offday was the refrain rather than the Hawks D demolished Manning and the Denver O while our O rolled on them

The Hawks have always been the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL, in the end the respect comes from the results, and not from uninformed media bias.

 

[Aircrew]

I mean no disrespect to the OP, because I understand their frustration, but honestly, who cares? Why should it matter what other people think or perceive about this team?

They will forever be known as Superbowl 60 champions, and nothing can take that away. It doesn’t matter what John Smith living in Virginia thinks of the 2025 Seahawks. What matters is what YOU think of the team, and what history says. That’s it.

JFC.

Way to wiff on my entire point.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt. It was pretty obvious you were saying that the downplaying, disrespect, or whatever....is a GOOD thing. A thing they can and will feed off of.

 

[MORGULON]

The score works against us in a way. While it was a solid rout of a win, it wasn't the typical SB beatdown of 50-10 or something. Settling for field goals, which basically won the game for us, isn't as "impressive" as scoring lots of TDs.

Seattle scored almost 30 points by kicking field goals. That's still an ass kicking.

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

JFC.

Way to wiff on my entire point.

Try making a thread with an actual point next time then rather than rambling nonsense and bellyaching about east coast bias as if anyone really cares. You clearly missed my point as well then. JFC

 

[CalgaryFan05]

I don't care what that score showed. That was an absolutely a** woopin. It doesn't come CLOSE to telling the true story. Those who actually understand football know that the Hawks absolutely dominated that game.
A garbage time TD doesn't change what we saw. They did absolutely NOTHING thru 3 quarters.

Maye played 1/2 the game on his back.

It was a joke!

 

[sutz]

Seattle scored almost 30 points by kicking field goals. That's still an ass kicking.

Can't agree more. Our defense made sure that the field goals counted, too, by preventing the Patsies from scoring in answer.

 

[glenwo2]

Can't agree more. Our defense made sure that the field goals counted, too, by preventing the Patsies from scoring in answer.

Our Defense made a 12-0 lead insurmountable.

 

[projectorfreak]

Our Defense made a 12-0 lead insurmountable.

Definitely it felt like going into half it was over , I felt at least if the pats came out and scored we’d answer right back and the rest is history
I still wonder how they won so many games with the play calling right in our defenses wheelhouse ,they didn’t even try to give maye more protection knowing we were kicking their ass in that aspect of the game
Rylie mills just put a cherry on it
Go Hawks

 

[Floridahawk79]

Ever since the SB I've had several convos with friends who live in the midwest and on the east coast. From guys who are Seahawk fans like us to a Pats fan as well as a few others in between. What has stood out to me and my Hawk fan buddies is how consistently everyone is writing off our championship as a one-off and blaming it more on the Pats being historically weak instead of the Seahawks being dominant. Even the Pats fan is in a little bit of denial, which is hard to believe considering the ass kicking he was forced to witness. Now, I'm not really irked, or surprised, by any of this. I've maintained that "east coast bias" is alive and well, although in a little bit different form today than in say the 80's or 90's.
I guess my point is that the Seahawks have historically been the most successful when they're underdogs and/or being over looked. All of that is happening again and I honestly couldn't be happier. If we want to ****** next year (I won't say the word outloud or put it in print) then this is the best way to get that campaign started.

To the 2026 season and, well, you know..

I'll have to disagree with you from what I've heard from here in Florida. Most of my buddies an local talk shows have only had an appreciation of what the Hawks have accomplished in a short turn around and see them as a juggernaut in the future.

 

[cymatica]

Ex players who know the game and study film have a completely different take. It's really only the low informed fans and mediots who are in denial, and they can't name more than 5 players on the roster.