John Lennon once sang that instant karma was going to get you and knock you right on the head.

Apparently, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had never heard that song by Lennon, or at least not before Seattle’s 2003 NFC Wild Card matchup with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

By now, all us Seahawks fans have seen the replay and heard the criticism. With the game tied 27-27 and headed into overtime, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck walked to midfield with his teammates, won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball.

Oh, if only it were that simple. Instead of graciously thanking the football gods for bestowing upon him the first possession in overtime, Hasselbeck decided to make a public declaration in front of a national audience.

via GIPHY

The Seahawks got the ball, but failed to make good on Hasselbeck’s promise. After going three-and-out, Seattle’s defense forced the Green Bay offense into a three-and-out situation of their own. The Seahawks ended up getting the ball back at their own 34-yard line. Later in the drive on third down, Hasselbeck’s pass intended for wide receiver Alex Bannister was intercepted by the Packers and returned for a 52-yard touchdown. Green Bay advanced with a 33-27 win.

Since that fateful day, Seattle and Green Bay have met nine times, including the postseason. In those nine games, Green Bay has won five coin tosses and Seattle four. Of Seattle’s four, they’ve elected to receive twice and defer twice. For Green Bay, they’ve received four times and deferred just once.

When the Packers have received the ball, they’ve scored a combined 10 points and had two opening-drive turnovers. Seattle, meanwhile, has had just one turnover, but failed to score a single point on the Packers on their opening drive since that 2003 Wild Card.

Come Sunday when the Seahawks take on the Packers at Lambeau, let’s hope they can reverse the curse set by Matt Hasselbeck by winning the coin toss and opening the game up with a score.