PHILADELPHIA – Not since Michael Boulware’s memorable, game-winning interception return last November had the Seattle Seahawks scored a defensive touchdown.
They more than made up for that Monday night, scoring three.
Cornerback Andre Dyson returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown on Philadelphia’s first offensive possession, then added a 25-yard touchdown return on a fumble recovery on the Eagles’ opening possession of the second half. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu also got into the mix, returning a pass interception 38 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
Monday marked the third time in team history that the Seahawks scored twice on interception returns. The last time it happened was in 1998.
Not only did Dyson’s first interception snap a year-long touchdown-less streak for Seattle’s defense, it also marked his first pick of the season. The free agent pickup from Tennessee has had 10 interceptions over the past two seasons but didn’t get his first as a Seahawk until Week 13.
His second-half touchdown was bittersweet, as Dyson sprained his left ankle on the play and had to be carried off the field by teammates Marcus Trufant and D.D. Lewis. Dyson did not return to the game, and his status for this weekend’s game against San Francisco is unknown.
Dyson’s first Seattle interception and Tatupu’s first NFL touchdown highlighted a day of firsts for the Seahawks.
Monday marked the first time the Seahawks scored three defensive touchdowns in a game since Nov. 4, 1984, when Seattle had four interception returns for scores. Dave Brown scored twice in that game.
Dyson became the second Seahawks defensive player to ever score twice in a game.
Bobby Engram scored his first touchdown of the season on the opening drive. His last touchdown was in the January playoff loss to St. Louis.
Tatupu celebrated his first professional touchdown with a Ken Norton-like assault on the goal post.
The last time the Seahawks scored a defensive touchdown was Nov. 14, 2004, when Boulware rambled 63 yards for the game-winning score against the Miami Dolphins.
Boulware almost added a return touchdown in Monday’s first half, returning an interception 32 yards before getting dragged down at the Philadelphia 2-yard line. That set up a Shaun Alexander touchdown for a 28-0 lead.
Although he didn’t finish the game, Dyson earned ABC’s weekly award for Monday Night Football player of the week.
“I was riding him a little bit,” safety Marquand Manuel said of Dyson. “He played about eight plays and got the Horse Trailer player of the week. I’ve never seen that. That’s got to be a record.”
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