By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – A playoff-type atmosphere hovers over the Seattle Seahawks’ practice facility this week in preparation for the team’s biggest game in nearly two years.
The Seahawks (6-5) can put a little distance between themselves and the Denver Broncos (6-6) when the two teams meet up at the new Invseco Field at Mile High this Sunday. The stakes for both teams are pretty obvious.
“Their season’s on the line,” Seahawks defensive tackle Chad Eaton said. “If they lose, they’re probably out of the playoffs. If we lose, we’re probably out of the playoffs.”
It’s not quite that simple, but whichever team loses will have a long road back into contention. There are currently six teams with .500 records or better fighting for three wild-card spots.
“I think this is a must-win game,” Seattle safety Reggie Tongue said. “We’ve got to win pretty much all of them from here on out.”
The Seahawks have rallied from a slow start with three wins in their past four games to move into sole possession of second place in the AFC West. Denver is right on their heels, one-half game back, despite a 3-5 record over the past eight games.
“We have a little bit of control over our fate and it starts this week, and that is all we can really worry about,” Denver wide receiver Rod Smith said. “We can’t worry about down the line or other teams. You hope other teams lose and all that mess, but if you lose it doesn’t do you any good. We have done that several times this year when we could have picked up some valuable ground in the playoff race and we blew it.”
Both teams have suffered through similar inconsistency this season, which has been the main thing separating them from AFC powers like Oakland and Pittsburgh. But, thanks to the NFL’s decision to postpone the Super Bowl one week in order to keep 12 playoff teams instead of eight, both Denver and Seattle are still breathing.
“We’re in a position now to compete for a playoff berth. Last year at this time we were not,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “It’s more fun. There’s more pressure, less sleep, but that’s why this time of the year is kind of fun. I’m happy where we are.”
Watters returns to practice: Running back Ricky Watters’ first day back to practice in nine weeks didn’t include an easing-in period. Watters took the field Wednesday and immediately took some hits while running with the first offense.
Watters has been out of action since the Sept. 30 loss to Oakland, when he suffered a cracked bone in his right shoulder. He elected not to have surgery, opting to let the injury heal naturally.
He seemed to pass his first test Wednesday, withstanding the first contact he’s felt in more than two months.
” (This week) we’re going to try to bang him a little bit,” Holmgren said. “He’s got to do that. He’s got to be able to fall on the ground, put his hand down. He’s got to be able to do some things physically. I have to see him do those things without reservation.”
Holmgren said he has not made a decision on Watters’ role for the remainder of the season, saying that the two would discuss the matter Friday based on how Watters practices this week.
Holmgren said that Shaun Alexander would start this Sunday regardless, and that Watters could see time as a reserve. Next week’s game against Dallas is a more realistic return date for Watters, although Holmgren still has not decided on a starter.
Alexander and Watters both saw time with the first team Wednesday.
“It’s kind of funny because normally I would be real territorial,” Alexander said after practice. “With Ricky, it’s different. I guess it’s because he’s been there for me so much. Seeing him do it again was kind of cool. It was a good day.”
Talking trash: Eaton, the Seahawks’ outspoken defensive lineman, rarely holds anything back when asked about the Denver offensive line.
“They’re absolutely the dirtiest offensive line I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” he said Wednesday. “And they’re proud of it, so that’s kind of cool. Everybody knows they’re the dirtiest offensive line; they’ve got a little mystique about them. But the easiest way to deal with that is to knock them in the mouth.”
The tactics of the Broncos’ line have been questioned by opponents for years. This season, the unit has been the center of controversy on numerous occasions. Denver offensive linemen have been fined a total of just under $100,000 this season, including a game check of about $52,900 that guard Dan Neil lost following a leg-whip in a game against the Oakland Raiders last month.
Earlier in the season, New England linebacker Bryan Cox accused Neil of a cheap shot after suffering a broken leg in a game against the Broncos. Neil and coach Mike Shanahan said the offensive lineman did not touch Cox on the play, but he was fined $15,000 by the league.
“You take a look at all the years we’ve been here and the few fines we’ve had,” Shanahan said during his Wednesday conference call. “I think it really gets blown out of proportion.”
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