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The weren't much of an NFL powerhouse in the 20th century, but in the last 26 years, they've emerged as one of the NFC's most consistent winners. With one Super Bowl title and now four appearances in the game, plus a total of 16 playoff appearances since 2000, more often than not, Seattle has been a significant part of the NFL's national landscape. Based on one unique trend noticed by fans, however, there's a Alberto Mendoza Jersey theme that could be following the Seahawks in this century: their succe s when a new pope is elected. Considering Pope Leo XIV was elected in 2025, and Seattle is now pinned against the in Super Bowl 60, the "Seahawks pope election trend" has already lived up to its hype in the 2026 playoffs. Here's what to know about the potential correlation between a new pope and the Seahawks' playoff succe s. MORE: Seahawks pope election trend, explained Around the 2025 season, some NFL fans took notice to a far-reaching, but perhaps interesting trend surrounding the Seahawks: since 2000, every time a new pope was elected, Seattle has made it to the Super Bowl. That wasn't the entirety of the correlation, either. Not only had the Seahawks reached the Super Bowl in both following seasons after a new pope was elected, but they were also the NFC's No. 1 seed in both of those years. There's one more aspect: in all three regular seasons after a new pope was elected, the Seahawks won 13 games. With Seattle taking down the in the 2026 NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks officially lived up to the "pope trend." But it remains to be seen whether they can finish the job in Super Bowl 60 against the Patriots. MORE: Year Pope elected Seahawks' NFC playoff Seed Playoff result 2005 Pope Benedict XVI No. 1 (13 wins) Lost to Steelers in Super Bowl XL 2013 Pope Francis No. 1(13 wins) Beat Broncos in Super BowlXLVIII 2025 Pope LeoXIV No. 1 ( 13 wins) TBD (making Super Bowl appearance) In 2005, followingthe election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Seahawks made a run to Super Bowl XL as the NFC's No. 1 seed. However, Seattle lost tothe . In 2013, followingthe election of Pope Francis, the Seahawks were again the NFC's top seed, then beat the in Super Bowl XLVIII for their first championship in franchise history. Based on those two results, it got fans thinking the Seahawks were Super Bowl-bound in February 2026 Pope Leo XIV was elected in early 2025, then Seattle proceeded to lock in the No. 1 seed in the NFC once again. Those fans were proven correct. Behind Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a daunting defense, Mike Macdonald's squad has a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, continuing the run of Seahawks squads to make the Super Bowl after a pope is elected. 2005: Following Pope Benedict XVI's election, the Seahawks won 13 games and reached Super Bowl XL. 2013: Following Pope Francis's election, the Seahawks won 13 games and won Super Bowl XLVIII. 2025: Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Seahawks reached Super Bowl LX Craig McMullen (@craigmcmullen53) MORE: Evan Lawrence Jersey |
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