SEATTLE – In what was the penultimate game of LaDainian Tomlinson’s MVP season, Shaun Alexander made sure that people didn’t forget who last earned that honor.
The Seahawks running back bested San Diego’s Tomlinson by rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns in Seattle’s 20-17 loss Sunday.
“He ran like the reigning MVP,” Seattle fullback Mack Strong said. “That’s to be expected. It didn’t come as a shock to anyone on this team.”
What made Sunday’s performance unlike Alexander’s previous big games was that much of his yardage came after contact.
“Shaun Alexander ran extremely hard,” coach Mike Holmgren said.
Echoing statements he made last week, Alexander said he had one of his best practice weeks leading into the game. He had predicted a breakout game, so the performance was not that surprising to him.
“I think our team, as a group, was focused this week,” said Alexander, adding that it was sometimes difficult to concentrate on football because his house is still without power. “… I told the guys that I was going to play hard, and we (would) see what happens.”
Sunday’s game marked Alexander’s second 100-yard performance of the season. He had 201 yards in a win over Green Bay four weeks ago, but averaged just under 80 yards per outing in the three games that followed.
Alexander also had his longest run of the season – a 33-yard touchdown in the third quarter – and recorded his first multiple-touchdown performance of the year.
While Tomlinson was kept out of the end zone Sunday for just the third game this season, he did rush for 123 yards, including a 62-yard scamper in the second quarter.
Other than that run, Seattle’s oft-maligned run defense held the Pro Bowl running back to 61 yards on 21 carries, an average of 2.9 yards per attempt.
“We gave up one big run, but he’s probably the best running back in the NFL right now, and he’s going to make plays,” Seahawks defensive tackle Russell Davis said. “I felt like we played well, but they made the big plays when they needed to. They’re a great team, and they’re probably going to end up in the Super Bowl.”
Tomlinson, who is the odds-on favorite to be named MVP, leads the NFL with 1,749 rushing yards and has a league-record 31 touchdowns this season.
Finally jelling? While the Seahawks’ offense is still a long way from where it was during the memorable 2005 season, the second half of Sunday’s game gave glimpses of the past.
Seattle had 171 total yards, 10 first downs and two touchdowns during that stretch and finished the game with a 48-percent conversion rate on third downs (10-of-21).
“We definitely got in a groove,” fullback Mack Strong said. “We did some good things, and we’ve just got to keep improving upon that.”
Added Alexander: “I think that everybody saw the real team for the first time all year.”
Trufant hurt: Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant had to be helped off the field after spraining his ankle on the third play of the second half.
Holmgren said that X-rays were negative but that Trufant may have suffered a high ankle sprain, which would probably keep him off the field for multiple weeks.
Trufant will be evaluated further today, and Holmgren might give more details during his Wednesday press conference.
It appears likely that rookie first-round pick Kelly Jennings will make his first NFL start this Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Jennings was picked on often during Sunday’s game but did a decent job in pass coverage.
Remember me? Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram on Sunday made his first reception since Week 4, catching a 20-yard pass early in the second quarter. Engram added three more receptions for 45 yards to prove he’s recovered from the fatigue that came with the thyroid condition that doctors discovered in early October.
“I feel great in terms of my stamina and my muscle soreness,” Engram said. “It was truly a blessing to be able to step out on that field and feel the way that I felt. This is what I’ve worked for. This is what I play for.”
Memory lane: The Seahawks have now clinched NFC West titles three years in a row, making them the fifth team this century to accomplish that feat.
Philadelphia (NFC East, 2001-03) and Green Bay (NFC North, 2002-04) also won back-to-back-to-back titles. New England (AFC East) and Indianapolis (AFC South) recently clinched division titles for the fourth year in a row.
Speaking of clinching, Seattle celebrated an anniversary on Sunday. On Christmas Eve 2005, the Seahawks assured themselves of the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Of course, that win came with a little more post-game celebration. This time around, the players and coaches didn’t return to the field to celebrate with the fans.
Star sophomores: Linebackers Shawne Merriman of San Diego and Lofa Tatupu of Seattle finished 1-2, respectively, in the voting for the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year award in 2005, and they both showed why Sunday.
Merriman had three sacks and knocked down two passes. Tatupu had a game-high 12 tackles. Tatupu also had his first solo sack of the season.
Slow starters: Through one quarter of Sunday’s game, the Chargers had 21 yards of total offense, while quarterback Philip Rivers failed to complete any of his first nine passes. His first completion came on a 9-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson with 3:18 remaining in the second quarter.
Was it or wasn’t it? The Seahawks had an apparent touchdown taken away early in the third quarter when Nate Burleson ran a kickoff back 96 yards. Alas, the score was negated by a holding penalty assessed to Seattle’s Ben Joppru, a tight end who plays on special teams.
Instead of seven points, the Seahawks were pushed back to their own 26-yard line. They managed one first down, but were then forced to punt.
Was it a good call?
“They made it, so it’s got to be,” Joppru said.
“I was pretty surprised,” he added, “but it’s a judgment call on their part. (The official) made the judgment, so I was holding. Unfortunately I don’t get to call the penalty.”
Joppru spent several minutes after the call pacing the sideline in obvious frustration.
“It was a touchdown,” he said. “That call took away a touchdown for us. … I have to live with it.”
Quick slants: Wide receiver Darrell Jackson (toe), center Robbie Tobeck (hip) and tight end Itula Mili (concussion) were among the Seahawks’ inactives. San Diego was without starting inside linebacker Randall Godfrey (hamstring). … Seahawks defensive tackle Marcus Green made his NFL debut as a reserve but was not credited with any tackles. Green, a rookie from Ohio State, was signed from the New York Giants’ practice squad earlier this month. … Through Sunday’s game, the Seahawks have gone seven weeks without scoring on their opening drive. Their opponents have scored first in six of those seven games. … Alexander converted a third-and-1 in the first quarter, marking the first time he’s done that in three tries this season. … Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace lined up at wide receiver for the second week in a row, but he still hasn’t caught a pass. … The Seahawks dropped five passes on Sunday, including four by receiver Deion Branch.
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