Two coaches. Two crushing losses. Two dramatically different roads thereafter.
The first is Pete Carroll, whose final decision — or at least final signoff — in Super Bowl XLIX will be criticized in perpetuity. When Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass from the 1 five seasons ago, it stained that Seahawks team’s otherwise glistening résumé.
The emotional shift on Richard Sherman’s face on the sideline said more than any sports writer could. That was a gash that could never be sewn completely shut.
The second is Dan Quinn, whose Falcons allowed the Patriots to pull off the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history two years later.