Chiefs at Seahawks

Chiefs running backs Jamaal Charles and

Thomas Jones vs. Seahawks front seven/b>

Not so long ago the Seahawks boasted the No. 2 run defense in the NFL, but after rough outings against Oakland, New York and New Orleans, they’ve fallen to 13th. This week the Seahawks face a Chiefs running attack that averages 164.7 yards per game, the most in the league. And today’s game comes a week after the Seahawks were an uncharacteristically bad tackling team against Saints running back Chris Ivory.

“I’m really concerned about what’s going on up front on defense,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “We’re fighting it out right now… The running game situation that happened (Sunday) wasn’t so much about what happened in terms of fits in the running game, it was really about making the plays when you had your hands on guys and getting guys on the ground. The big guys needed to make a couple more tackles and maintain the line of scrimmage so we can make our plays.”

Despite giving up big yardage totals in three of the past four games, the Seahawks feel like they can get back to their early season form, even against the league’s top rushing offense.

“For the most part we’ve been good tacklers, we’ve stopped the run,” linebacker David Hawthorne said. “We just got away from it for whatever reason. … We got away from it for a little bit, but I think it’s a quick fix.”

KEY INJURIES

Seahawks: DT Colin Cole and LG Chester Pitts are out with ankle injuries, while WR Mike Williams, who didn’t practice all week with a foot injury, is questionable along with FB Michael Robinson. CB Marcus Trufant, who suffered a concussion last week, returned to practice Friday and is expected to play, as is WR Golden Tate, who missed three games with an ankle injury.

Starting CB Brandon Flowers is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, while starting LT Brandon Albert (groin) and RG Ryan Lilja (foot) are questionable, as are WR/returner Dexter McCluster and TE Tony Moeaki.

SERIES HISTORY

The Chiefs lead the all-time series 31-18 and won the last meeting between the two teams in 2006. Seattle last defeated Kansas City in 2002.

KEY NUMBER

7: The number turnovers committed by the Chiefs this season, the lowest total in the NFL.

Keys to the game

Seahawks will win if they … Keep it up on offense. The Seahawks followed two of their worst offensive outings of the year with two of their best, and particularly impressive over that stretch has been QB Matt Hasselbeck, who threw for 699 yards without an interception. … Make up for Mike. A big part of that offensive success has been WR Mike Williams, who likely won’t play because of a foot injury. That will put pressure on the likes of Ben Obomanu, Deon Butler and Brandon Stokley to make up for the loss of the team’s leading receiver. … Take advantage of red zone chances. The Seahawks scored five times last weekend in New Orleans, so did the Saints. The difference? Seattle settled for four field goals and lost by 15 points as a result.

Chiefs will win if they … Keep taking care of the ball. In six wins Kansas City has three turnovers, while in four losses the Chiefs have four. … Figure out how to win on the road. Since winning their first road game, the Chiefs have lost four in a row away from Arrowhead Stadium, including a 20-point loss at Denver two weeks ago. … Keep going to Bowe. Leading receiver Dwayne Bowe has 11 TD catches this year, 10 of which have come in the last six games. … Keep protecting the QB. Matt Cassel has been sacked 15 times this season, which is a big part of the reason he has taken care of the ball so well. Keeping him upright will be a challenge against the Seahawks, who rank ninth in the league with 26 sacks.

PICK

Seahawks 23, Chiefs 19

Kansas City presents a lot of challenges, but Seattle is still good enough that it should find a way to win this game at Qwest Field.

John Boyle, Herald Writer