KIRKLAND – Without so much as lifting a finger over the weekend, the Seattle Seahawks catapulted to a place they haven’t been in a long time.
After the Denver Broncos gave up 269 yards to Tampa Bay’s anemic offense, the Seahawks moved to the top of the NFL in yards allowed. It marks the latest in any season that a Seattle defense has been ranked No. 1 in the league in that category.
“Right now we’re playing well, but the season’s not three weeks,” cornerback Ken Lucas said. “We’ve got to sustain this over 17 weeks. If we can do that and have the same statistic at the end (of the season), then that’s a great thing we have done.”
The last time the Seahawks led the NFL in yards allowed was Week 2 of the 1998 season – or 103 regular-season weeks ago. The only other time they were ranked No. 1 in the NFL was 1986, when Seattle also gave up that ranking after the second week of the season.
The 1998 defense finished 27th in the NFL, while the 1986 version was 22nd.
Seattle’s 2004 defense has given up a league-low 242.3 yards per contest through three games. Sunday’s bye kept that average in tact, while the Broncos slipped to 244.3 yards allowed per game.
The Seahawks lead the NFL in yards allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game (171.0), points allowed per game (4.3), first downs allowed per game (12.7) and opponents’ third-down efficiency (21.4).
The bye week also answered some questions about the strength of Seattle’s early schedule. The New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers all lost, leaving the Seahawks with wins over three teams that have a combined record of 2-10. Tampa and San Francisco, both 0-4, are still looking for their first victories of the season.
Notes
Healthy and ready: Fullback Mack Strong (knee and ankle), linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski (groin) and linebacker Chad Brown (broken leg) were the only players who did not practice Monday.
Strong and Kacyvenski could practice as soon as Wednesday, and coach Mike Holmgren believes they will be available for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. Brown is still about two weeks away from returning to action.
The bye week allowed Strong and Kacyvenski more time to heal, while also allowing the players time to get away.
“I think everybody felt good today,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said following a Monday afternoon practice. “I think how we handled the bye was really good. Everyone feels refreshed, all the bumps and bruises that people had are gone, and people are excited, refreshed and re-charged.”
In the crosshairs: While left tackle Walter Jones usually draws the best pass rusher on game days, Chris Terry will have that task this week.
Rams star defensive end Leonard Little lines up on the left side, across from Terry’s right tackle position.
“That’s what football’s all about,” Terry said. “It’s going to be a challenge. Some are bigger than others.”
In an effort to get Little more involved, the Rams ran a formation that had him at linebacker during Sunday’s win over San Francisco. But most of his action should come at left end, where Terry draws the assignment.
“I expect a full game,” Terry said. “He’s the kind of guy that never stops.”
What a kick: With a possible Tuesday practice on the line, Holmgren gave his players a chance to earn their weekly day off.
Holmgren allowed captains Matt Hasselbeck and Anthony Simmons to pick five linemen to field punts. If three of them successfully caught the ball in the air, the team would get today off.
Robbie Tobeck, Chike Okeafor and Joey Hollenbeck ended any suspense by catching the first three balls off the foot of punter Tom Rouen.
“I have never seen linemen concentrate so much in my life,” Holmgren joked.
Quick slants: Limited tickets are still available for Sunday’s game, which is expected to be a sellout. Less than 1,000 tickets are for sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-NFL-HAWK. … Holmgren spent part of his bye weekend at North Park College, where he attended a ceremony in which the athletic facility was named in his honor. Holmgren’s four daughters attended the Chicago school in the 1990s. “It was a very humbling experience,” Holmgren said of the ceremony. … The Seahawks will play four of their next six games on the road. The only other home game during that stretch comes Oct. 31 against Carolina.
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