KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seattle's Shaun Alexander, upset after finishing 1 yard behind Curtis Martin for the NFL rushing title, questioned why coach Mike Holmgren called a quarterback sneak in a big win over Atlanta.
"We were going to win anyway," Alexander said after Sunday's game. "We were on the freakin' goal line, and I got stabbed in the back."
Alexander made his remarks in the locker room after the Seahawks beat Atlanta 28-26, securing the NFC West title for Seattle and guaranteeing a home game with St. Louis in next weekend's wild-card round.
Holmgren said in his postgame comments he had wanted Alexander to win the rushing title. However, the Falcons drove 69 yards in the final 4:28 to pull within 28-26 before failing to convert the 2-point try.
"It's too bad we didn't get the ball back," Holmgren said. "They ate up the clock with their final drive. Shaun had a chance at the rushing championship, and just missed it. That was too bad. I would have liked to seen him get it."
The Seahawks went ahead 28-20 with 4:28 remaining when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck scored on a 1-yard sneak on second-and-goal.
Alexander, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, blamed that call for costing him a share of the rushing title. He finished with 80 yards on 19 attempts against Atlanta.
"It would have been sweet to get it," Alexander said. "I feel worse because we had a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. That hurts, but I'll be all right."
Holmgren gave his players the day off Monday, and the Seahawks initially weren't planning interviews. However, team officials later said Alexander will speak at a 7 p.m. ET news conference.
The fifth-year running back has had an outstanding season, reaching the Pro Bowl for the second straight year with a career-high and franchise-record 1,696 yards rushing. His 16 TDs rushing matched his team record from 2002, and his team-record 20 total TDs made him the 10th player in NFL history with 20 or more in a season.
However, Martin won this season's rushing title, edging Alexander after a 153-yard effort in the New York Jets' overtime loss at St. Louis. It was the closest margin in NFL history.
"Oh, man, that was one of our goals -- to help him get it," Seahawks tackle Walter Jones said after the win. "He didn't get the chance to get it. I hate that for him, but we got the win."
Martin trailed Alexander by 72 yards going into the regular season's final weekend. He gained 24 yards on three carries in overtime at St. Louis and finished with 1,697 yards on the season.
"I think Shaun Alexander has had as good a year as any running back in the NFL," Hasselbeck said. "His teammates feel that way, his coaches feel that way, and he should know that."
"We were going to win anyway," Alexander said after Sunday's game. "We were on the freakin' goal line, and I got stabbed in the back."
Alexander made his remarks in the locker room after the Seahawks beat Atlanta 28-26, securing the NFC West title for Seattle and guaranteeing a home game with St. Louis in next weekend's wild-card round.
Holmgren said in his postgame comments he had wanted Alexander to win the rushing title. However, the Falcons drove 69 yards in the final 4:28 to pull within 28-26 before failing to convert the 2-point try.
"It's too bad we didn't get the ball back," Holmgren said. "They ate up the clock with their final drive. Shaun had a chance at the rushing championship, and just missed it. That was too bad. I would have liked to seen him get it."
The Seahawks went ahead 28-20 with 4:28 remaining when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck scored on a 1-yard sneak on second-and-goal.
Alexander, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, blamed that call for costing him a share of the rushing title. He finished with 80 yards on 19 attempts against Atlanta.
"It would have been sweet to get it," Alexander said. "I feel worse because we had a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. That hurts, but I'll be all right."
Holmgren gave his players the day off Monday, and the Seahawks initially weren't planning interviews. However, team officials later said Alexander will speak at a 7 p.m. ET news conference.
The fifth-year running back has had an outstanding season, reaching the Pro Bowl for the second straight year with a career-high and franchise-record 1,696 yards rushing. His 16 TDs rushing matched his team record from 2002, and his team-record 20 total TDs made him the 10th player in NFL history with 20 or more in a season.
However, Martin won this season's rushing title, edging Alexander after a 153-yard effort in the New York Jets' overtime loss at St. Louis. It was the closest margin in NFL history.
"Oh, man, that was one of our goals -- to help him get it," Seahawks tackle Walter Jones said after the win. "He didn't get the chance to get it. I hate that for him, but we got the win."
Martin trailed Alexander by 72 yards going into the regular season's final weekend. He gained 24 yards on three carries in overtime at St. Louis and finished with 1,697 yards on the season.
"I think Shaun Alexander has had as good a year as any running back in the NFL," Hasselbeck said. "His teammates feel that way, his coaches feel that way, and he should know that."
