Seattle was not in situation where it "had to pass." Carroll had a timeout left with 26 seconds left when they snapped the ball (Belichick had two left.)
Carroll had plenty of time to run two rushing plays if needed before calling a timeout. A QB sneak made more sense on 2nd and 1. Or, of course, Lynch.
Belichick and Brady would have probably run a QB sneak right there. Wilson is a terrific running QB and he posed a lot of problems.
And, of all the pass plays available from the 1-yard line, that was one of the least safe passing options. A fade into the corner of the end zone is much safer, or a pass to the back of the end zone where Wilson could just throw it away if his guy is not open. All game long they burned the Patriots with that 6'5" guy, Chris Matthews, who was the perfect big target for a play at the back of the end zone or in the corner.
Throwing the ball into the heart of the defense was a terrible play call. Except for the Patriots. Roethlisberger's throw to Santonio Holmes was a much better play:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/pittsburg.../Santonio-Holmes-Super-Bowl-XLIII-game-winner
I fully agree that it sucks in a way to have the game remembered for that interception, and the criticism heaped on Pete Carroll. Brady was brilliant in the 4th quarter and owned the "legion of gloom."
I watched the game on the DVR again about halfway through the Bruins last game of the season. They were sleepwalking through another loss and I needed something to get past their collective suckitude.