TheSeattle Seahawksare experiencing a different kind of Hail Mary this season.
Team of destiny? Perhaps. Higher power? Definitely. At least on paper, it's commonly accepted that there needs to be a separation between church and state. However, there's nothing in the rulebook that requires a separation between church and football team.
It's probably safe to say that wasn't a thought back then.
Sam Darnoldand the Seahawks don't need the extra help, but they certainly won't turn it down either. One of the bigger longshots heading into the 2025 season, Seattle has done nothing but exceed expectations all year long.
Now they are one win from being crowned champions for the second time in franchise history, when nobody believed in them.
Well, maybe except for one person with friends in high places who might've had thescript back in May.
Here's what to know about the Pope's unlikely impact on the Seahawks.
Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Washington 7): Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (75) tackles Washington running back Larry Brown (43) in Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a 17-0 undefeated season with the win." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XVI (49ers 26, Bengals 21): San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XVII (Washington 27, Dolphins 17): Washington running back John Riggins (44) breaks loose from Miami Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal (28) on a 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders 38, Washington 9): Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) carries the ball against Washington safety Mark Murphy (29) during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XXII (Washington 42, Broncos 10): Washington quarterback Doug Williams (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XXIV (49ers 55, Broncos 10) : San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) celebrates with teammates against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome. The 55 points scored by the 49ers remains a Super Bowl record." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XXVI (Washington 37, Bills 24): Washington cornerback Alvoid Mays (20) hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12), causing him to fumble during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21, Seahawks 10): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward jumps in the air and scores after catching a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 51 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 53 (Patriots 13, Rams 3): Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore makes a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Patriots tied the Steelers for most Super Bowl victories (six)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 55 (Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9): Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the football after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 56 (Rams 23, Bengals 20): Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches the game-winning touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple defends at SoFi Stadium." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 57 (Chiefs 38, Eagles 35): The Chiefs' Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles' Nakobe Dean (17) and Arryn Siposs (8) after a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return at State Farm Stadium." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl 58 (Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT): Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
What is the Seahawks Pope Theory?
Every time a new pope has been elected since 2000, the Seahawks have won at least 13 regular-season games, been the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and reached the Super Bowl.
Don't believe us?
There have three new popes elected since the turn of the century – Pope Benedict XVI in 2005,Pope Francisin 2013 andPope Leo XIVin 2025.
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In 2005, Seattle went 13-3 in the regular season to capture the No. 1 seed in the NFC over theChicago Bears– the team that conveniently finished with the No. 2 seed this season as well. Led by MVP running back Shaun Alexander, Seattle faced little resistance on the road to Super Bowl 40, defeating Washington and Carolina by at least two scores before falling short against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the big game.
Fast forward to 2013 and we'll see a similar story, but with a different ending.
It was another 13-win season for the Seahawks and they claimed the No. 1 seed after staving off the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West crown, just like they did this season.
The 2013 Seahawks capped off the season with a 43-8 blowout win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48 – the first in franchise history.
That brings us to the present day, where this version of the Seahawks blended the previous two Pope-inspired runs.
With one extra game on the table, Seattle decided to win that as well to finish the regular season with 14 wins. They staved off the 49ers in the division and the Bears in the conference en route to the No. 1 seed. They faced, for the most part, little resistance on their way to Super Bowl 60.
Now it's all about the finish.
The Seahawks are only batting .500 in the big game after a new pope is elected. That batting average would be enough to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but that doesn't matter for a football team.
If anything, the theory has shown to have its limits. The age-old saying, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink it," appears to apply here.
The Pope and his friends have guided Seattle to the big game, but it's up to the players to win the Super Bowl.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Seahawks 'Pope Theory' explained: How conclave powered Super Bowl run
