Marshawn Lynch's 'Beast Quake' run seals Seahawks playoff win

Seahawks running back's 67-yard touchdown in 2011 wild-card game against Saints caused a minor earthquake in Seattle.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:20am

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In the 2011 NFL playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks hosted the New Orleans Saints in a wild-card game as heavy underdogs. Despite trailing early, the Seahawks rallied to take a 34-30 lead late in the fourth quarter. On a crucial second-and-10 play, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch broke through multiple Saints defenders for a 67-yard touchdown run that sealed the upset victory. The crowd's roar during Lynch's run was so loud that it registered as a 2.0 magnitude earthquake, forever cementing the moment as the 'Beast Quake' in Seattle sports history.

Why it matters

The Seahawks' upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Saints was a major surprise, as Seattle had barely made the playoffs with a 7-9 record. Marshawn Lynch's iconic 'Beast Quake' run not only clinched the victory, but also captured the passion and energy of the Seahawks' famously loud home crowd at CenturyLink Field.

The details

With the Seahawks clinging to a 34-30 lead late in the fourth quarter, they faced a crucial second-and-10 situation at their own 33-yard line. Instead of their usual zone running play, the Seahawks gave the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who proceeded to bulldoze through nine Saints defenders on his way to a 67-yard touchdown run. The crowd's roar during Lynch's run was so deafening that it registered as a 2.0 magnitude earthquake, cementing the moment as the legendary 'Beast Quake' in Seahawks history.

  • The game was played on January 8, 2011.
  • The 'Beast Quake' run occurred with 3:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The players

Marshawn Lynch

The Seahawks' star running back, known for his physical 'Beast Mode' running style.

Drew Brees

The quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, who were the defending Super Bowl champions at the time.

Seattle Seahawks

The home team, who entered the playoffs with a 7-9 record but pulled off a stunning upset over the favored Saints.

New Orleans Saints

The visiting team, who were the reigning Super Bowl champions and 11-5 wild card entrants in the 2011 playoffs.

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The takeaway

Marshawn Lynch's 'Beast Quake' run is one of the most iconic and memorable plays in Seahawks history, capturing the team's underdog spirit and the passion of their devoted fanbase. The play's impact was so profound that it literally shook the ground in Seattle, cementing its place as a legendary moment in NFL playoff history.