Seahawks need to fix D

IRVING, Texas — Mike Holmgren said something Thursday night that fans throughout Seattle have been thinking all season.

It’s something that the entire nation saw earlier that afternoon while the Dallas Cowboys were piling up 447 yards on Holmgren’s Seattle Seahawks during a 34-9 blowout on national television.

The Seahawks’ defense, Holmgren said, is in need of a facelift.

“We have to take a hard look at that side of the ball,” the Seahawks’ head coach said Thursday night. “Maybe changes are necessary next year.”

Holmgren won’t be part of that process, as he has al ready announced that this season will be his last in Seattle. Perhaps his going-away speech will be a little like the one he delivered Thursday night: fix the D.

The Seahawks came into the season with high hopes for its defense but have fallen flat through three-quarters of the schedule. Seattle entered Thursday’s game against Dallas ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed, and the holiday performance did nothing to improve its standing.

Dallas continually took advantage of the Seahawks’ small cornerbacks and soft zone coverage to march down the field for touchdowns on each of the Cowboys’ first three possessions. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo wasn’t afraid to throw the deep ball, and he connected more often than not.

By the end of Thursday’s game, Romo had piled up 331 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-34 passing. It was a clinic in every sense of the word, leaving the Seahawks looking somewhat helpless to stop it.

“There was one stretch where we were getting off the field, and that looked like us,” Peterson said, referring to back-to-back series in the third quarter that resulted in a Marcus Trufant interception and a three-and-out. “But we weren’t consistent enough. Fortunately, we’ve still got four weeks to prove what we’ve got to prove.”

It’s probably too late. The Seahawks have been one of the NFL’s worst defenses this season despite a group of talented players that included all 11 starters from the 2007 team.

The most obvious problems have been an inability to get consistent quarterback pressure and a secondary that lacks size.

Both areas were exposed again on Thursday.

With a pair of 6-foot-3 wideouts that both weigh over 200 pounds, the Cowboys turned in 11 pass plays that went for 13 yards or longer. Seattle started the game with Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant following Terrell Owens all over the field, but the Seahawks had to adjust after Romo continually tested smaller cornerbacks Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings on the other side.

“They’ve got T.O., and our guys are short — even though they hold their own,” Seahawks safety Deon Grant said. “And the plays they made were when we were in zone.”

Seattle’s blitz was ineffective again, leading to a few big plays downfield. Wilson had chances to sack Romo three times, but on each occasion the quarterback slipped his grasp and delivered a pass.

“He’s a good quarterback,” Wilson said, “and he just made plays.”

Romo’s ability to escape the pass rush was on display all afternoon. The Seahawks didn’t record a single sack, despite a game plan that often featured blitz packages.

Romo had one of his finest games of the season, proving that his pinky injury is no longer a factor.

“It’s not like his legs were messed up and he couldn’t run around,” said Peterson, referring to the finger injury that kept Romo out of three games. “It’s just a pinky.

“I mean, look at mine,” Peterson added, holding out a pair of hands that included bent pinky fingers. “If it’s just his pinky, I’d say he was pretty healthy. I know he plays quarterback, but come on.”

The bigger question in Seattle is what’s ailing the Seahawks’ defense. The formula that brought together four Pro Bowlers and three other players who were first-round draft picks has not panned out.

“Right now, we haven’t performed up to our expectations,” Peterson said, “so we know there will be some changes.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.