This wasn't easy for B-Easy.

A horde of reporters had gathered around his locker stall, waiting to grill Bobby Engram — known by fellow Seahawks receivers as "B-Easy" — about the one that got away.

The Seahawks' last chance to send yesterday's NFC wild-card game into overtime was gone the moment quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's sidearm toss to Engram in the end zone dropped to the turf incomplete.

The result? A 27-20 St. Louis win at Qwest Field.

Engram appeared to have the ball and what figured to be a tying touchdown with 21 seconds left in the game. In an instant, it was out of his hands and rolling on the ground.

So ended the season for the Seahawks, with the steady, heady Engram trying his best to make a play under difficult circumstances. The ball wasn't dropped, but Engram had a chance to make the catch.

When it was all over, there was Engram, understandably frustrated as he dressed in front of what seemed like the entire world.

"I gotta find a way to make that play," Engram said. "No excuses."

Engram has never been the type to make excuses. He's a stand-up guy and veteran who has been a refreshing and positive presence in the Seahawks' locker room all season.

Truth be told, Engram wasn't the only option for Hasselbeck on the deciding play. But when the play broke down and Hasselbeck saw the pocket caving in around him, Engram was the best choice and the man Hasselbeck was looking for.

The receiver got his hands down for the ball.

"How clean I hit it, I'm not sure. Everything happened pretty fast," Engram said. "If I had it do over again, I'd try and find a way to catch it."

On the sideline, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren figured it was a touchdown. He was signaling the offense to go for the extra point and the tie.

Hasselbeck needed 4 yards on the fourth-down play from the Rams' 5-yard line. But he went for the score, knowing the play likely would be the Seahawks' last on offense in regulation time.

"I probably threw it a little too hard," Hasselbeck said. "I made it a little tougher than it needed to be for him. I know I surprised him with the ball. I wish I had it back."

Engram had caught a touchdown in the second quarter, and he finished the game with three catches for 34 yards. And as difficult as it might be, he'll review the game tape to see just what happened on the play.

"I'll be all right. I'll move on," he said. "You look at the film and you live and learn. We've made that play so many times. It's just frustrating when you need it and you can't make it for whatever reason. But I'll be a stronger man and a better man."

Every Seahawk on the field for the last play believed the team would score on the final drive. What happened at the end, however, just seemed indicative of the Seahawks' up-and-down season.

"That's a pretty good analogy," Engram said. "We just have to find a way to win games like this. I think that's part of us continuing to mature and finding a way to win big games."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com