Russell Wilson holds up the NFC Championship trophy for all the 12s

Russell Wilson holds up the NFC Championship trophy for all the 12s to see. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer Lindgren

A teary-eyed Russell Wilson was swarmed by the media in the middle of CenturyLink Field in Seattle today following the Seahawk’s 28-22 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. The quarterback had just led his team to one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the NFL’s championship round by completing a deep bomb to Jermaine Kearse to seal the win and ensure Seattle’s second trip to the Super Bowl in as many years. The moment was overwhelming.

“God is too good” he told a reporter, tears smudging his eyeblack in a show of emotion uncommon for the unflappable quarterback. As the fans roared in exultant euphoria, he went on to thank his team for the most unlikely of victories. “These guys never stopped believing in me…. I’m honored and blessed to be on this team.”

Just a half hour earlier the mood in the stadium was much more subdued, morose even, as the top-seeded team trailed the second-seeded Packers by a score of 19 to 7. With 5 minutes and 13 seconds left, Wilson had seemingly squandered a potential comeback when a pass intended for Kearse was tipped and ended up in the arms of Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett. It was Wilson’s fourth interception of the game, a career high for the third year quarterback, who ended the game with 209 yards passing and another 25 yards on the ground.

The team’s five total turnovers, including one fumble by Doug Baldwin on a kick-off return, had helped the Packers keep control throughout the first half, after which they had a 16-0 lead, and well into the second half. But the Seahawk’s defense, which held the backers to field goals twice inside the ten yard line, put the clamp down on the Packers in the second half, holding them to a field goal.

It wasn’t until late in the third quarter that the Seahawks finally got on the board with a faked field goal, resulting in a 19 yard touchdown pass from holder, and usual punter, John Ryan to Garry Gilliam. It would be another full quarter before the team would strike again, capping a 69-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Russel Wilson, who broke the plane with a here 2 minutes and 9 seconds remaining. On the ensuing kick-off, the Seahawks recovered an onsides kick and Wilson again went to work. Four plays later, Marshawn Lynch trotted into the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown, subtly grabbing his crotch and likely earning a fine from the league. Wilson then completed the 2-point conversion with a toss-up to tight end Luke Willson, giving the Seahawks the three point lead and unleaching pandemonium amongst the Seahawks’ faithful.

With just over a minute left, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drove his team 58 yards and kicker Mason Crosby booted a 48-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.

But after winning the coin-toss, the Seahawks continued to roll, driving 87 yards and sending the city into spasms of joy when Kearse landed in the endzone with the ball.

Next stop, Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 1, where Wilson and his Seahawks will face the New England Patriots, who defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship later in the day. There they will attempt to become the first NFL team since 2005 to win back-to-back championships.

View the full slide-show of Sunday’s game here.

Jermaine Kearse with the winning touchdown catch. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer Lindgren

Ricardo Lockette thanks the heavens for the confetti. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer Lindgren

A fan has his face painted before the game.

The Blue Thunder drum corp performs outside the stadium.

Russell Wilson holds up the NFC Championship trophy for all the 12s

The Blue Thunder drum corp performs outside the stadium.

Dressed in his finest suit, a die-hard fan enters the game hoping for some epic-level Beast Mode action.

Ready for the game, a particularly flamboyant Packers fan walks the streets.

The Packer’s famous headgear was matched by ingenious designs of our own, such as this cheese grater.

Seahawks’ safety Kam Chancellor signs autographs in the pouring rain before the game.

Seahawks’ receiver Doug Baldwin signs a cheese grater before the game.

Fox Sports commentator, and four-time Super Bowl champ, Terry Bradshaw gets the rust out.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll takes the field.

A fan straps on a peculiar belt.

Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson warms up before the game.

Seahawks’ cornerback Richard Sherman gives a menacing glare during warm ups.

Packers players navigate their way through a sea of hostile Seahawks fans as they head back to the locker room before the game.

Actor Chris Pratt, left, hangs with Seattle MC Macklemore on the Seahawks’ sideline during warm-ups.

Packers’ fans cheer on their team before the game.

The stadium erupts with cheers as the team takes the field.

The Legion of Boom gets pumped before the game.

Hawk’s fans turn to watch the 12th Man flag raised over the stadium before the game.

Green Bay safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returns a Wilson interception in the first quarter.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers tosses a pass in the first quarter.

Green Bay receiver Richard Rodgers is taken down after a gain in the first quarter.

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman intercepts an end-zone pass intended for Davante Adams early in the first quarter.

Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby completes an 18-yard field goal in the first quarter to give Green Bay the 3-0 lead.

Fans urge quiet so the Hawks can concentrate on a third and long attempt during the first quarter.

Hawks’ receiver Doug Baldwin fights for the ball after a first-quarter fumble on a kick return. Green Bay recovered.

Green Bacy running back Eddie Lacy rumbles up-field for a 9-yard gain in the first quarter.

The 12th Man comes alive during the first quarter as Green Bay threatens to score.

Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby congratulates teammates after hitting a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter to put Green Bay up 6-0.

Hawks running back Marshawn Lynch practically does a pirouette on the field to keep a run alive in the first quarter.

Green Bay receiver Micah Hyde muffs a punt return in the first quarter. Green Bay recovered.

Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson picks up a 15-yard gain in the first quarter.

Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy rolls over the back of the Hawks’ Richard Sherman in the first quarter for a gain of 9 yards.

Hawks’ safety Kam Chancellor knocks a Green Bay receiver off his feet in the first quarter.

Russell Wilson lines up in the shotgun before a snap in the first quarter.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers bobbles a snap in the second quarter.

Green Bay receiver Randall Cobb celebrates his first quarter touchdown, putting the Packers up 13-0.

Green Bay receiver Randall Cobb blocks a tackle in the second quarter.

The Seagals perform in between quarters.

Fans cheer in the second quarter.

Russell Wilson drops back to lob a deep pass, which resulted in an interception.

Green Bay safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returns his second interception of the day during the second quarter.

Green Bay safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is tackled after returning an interception for a 27-yard gain in the second quarter.

Alone in a sea of blue, Green Bay fans replete with cheese heads cheer a then-winning team in the second quarter.

Aaron Rodgers throws a deep incomplete pass in the second quarter.

Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson picks up 22 in the second quarter.

Seattle’s Byron Maxwell intercepts a Green Bay pass in the second quarter.

Robert Turbin carries for a 2-yard loss to end the second quarter.

The future of the Seahawks’ season in apparent jeopardy, a father-son duo console one another at the end of the half.

Russell Wilson drops back and reviews his options during a second-quarter play.

Green Bay taunts Seattle fans during the second quarter.

Russell Wilson scrambles for a gain in the second quarter.

Fans in the Hawk’s Nest cheer on the team in the first quarter.

Packer cornerback Sam Shields intercepts a pass intended for Jermaine Keares in the end zone in the second quarter.

Fans celebrate another Seahawk first down in the second quarter.

Russell Wilson throws a pass late in the second quarter.

A teary-eyed Russell Wilson speaks in a post-game interview.

A fan cheers after the team wins the game, advancing to the Super Bowl.

Fans cheer after the win.

Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll is all smiles after clinching the NFC and another Super Bowl berth.

A Green Bay defender breaks up a pass intended for Marshawn Lynch.

Teammates congratulate Seattle tackle Garry Gilliam after his unusual touchdown following an incredible trick play on a fourth down in the third quarter.

Place holder Jon Ryan gets a hug from Garry Gilliam after throwing the 19-yard touchdown pass on the faked field goal.

Seattle’s defense pumps up the crowd in the third quarter.

With a new-found enthusiam fans cheer.

Seattle’s Jeremy Lane stops a Green Bay receiver.

Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril sacks Aaron Rodgers for a loss.

Russell Wilson fumbles the ball in the third quarter. Seattle recovered the ball.

Sea Gal cheerleaders dance in between the third and fourth quarters.

Fans cheer as the fourth quarter gets under way.

Russell Wilson is taken down after an 8-yard scramble.

Fans cheer the team on in the third quarter.

Marshawn Lynch busts a move for a gain in the third quarter.

Packer running back James Starks rumbles upfield for a gain.

Following another field goal, Green Bay kicks off to Seattle early in the fourth quarter.

Doug Baldiwn rushes upfield for a gain of 16 on a fourth-quarter kick-off return.

Pensive fans hope for a turnaround.

Marshawn Lynch busts out some Beast-Mode action.

Lynch spikes the ball after an explosive run.

Seattle’s Doug Baldwin is denied a pass by a Green Bay defender.

The Seahawk chances at a win seemed as soaked as this hopeful “Re-Pete” sign.

Jermaine Kearse bobbles a pass in the fourth quarter that would be intercepted moments later by Green Bay.

Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy is stopped up.

Doug Baldwin catches a 22-yard pass.

Marshawn Lynch catches a 26-yard pass.

Russell Wilson completes a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to narrow the gap to five.

Seahawks receiver Chris Matthews improbably winds up recovering an on-side kick late in the fourth quarter to give the Hawks a chance to take the lead.

Russell WIlson scrambles hard for a 15-yard gain.

Marshawn Lynch rushes for a 3-yard gain.

Marshawn Lynch scores a touchdown to give Seattle the lead late in the fourth quarter.

Seahawks’ players celebrate after completing a successful two-point conversion late to take a 3-point lead.

A Green Bay fan laments her team’s turn of fortune late in the fourth quarter.

Fans go wild as Seattle takes the lead late in the fourth quarter.

Marshawn Lynch watches the Packers late game-tying drive from the sidelines.

Green Bay fans soak in their new reality as 12-Man members go wild at Century Link.

Doug Baldwin catches a deep pass in overtime.

Jermaine Kearse catches a 35-yard pass from Wilson for the win.

Jermaine Kearse spikes the ball after making the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime.

Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson sheds tears after completing an improbably come-from-behind victory to clinch his second Super Bowl berth.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson cries in the arms of his teammate Jermaine Kearse after clinching his second Super Bowl berth.