By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks will play their biggest game of the season Sunday, but chances are that there will only be one way to see it.
Based on recent history, fans will have to buy a ticket and attend the game at Husky Stadium or they might not get to watch.
About 14,000 tickets remain for this weekend’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unless they are sold out by 1 p.m. Thursday, local television coverage will be blacked out.
“Obviously we need the place full,” coach Mike Holmgren said Monday. “We need all our fans there. It’s a game with tremendous ramifications. We need the home-field advantage, just like every other team in football needs the home-field advantage.
“There’s a chance the weather could be bad, but we still need the seats full. We need their help. We’re playing for the playoffs in this last game. Not many teams can say that. So I hope they’re there.”
In an effort to pack the house, the Seahawks will have a number of giveaways at the game. Every fan in attendance will get a coupon for a free chalupa at Taco Bell, and the first 50,000 will get a poster of the new downtown stadium. The first 2,000 fans to exchange used cellular phones will get free Darrell Jackson beany bears.
Quarterback Trent Dilfer, who appears to be the likely starter in Sunday’s game unless Matt Hasselbeck makes a quick recovery from injury, hopes the fans turn out for the most important home game in nearly two years.
“Homefield advantage is incredible when the fans are going nuts and there’s an excitement in the stadium,” Dilfer said. “They did it for the Mariners, let’s see them do it for the Seahawks.”
Robinson status uncertain: Holmgren said Monday that he has not decided on a starting wide receiver to go with Darrell Jackson.
Rookie Koren Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the April draft, has started 13 games this season but was benched Sunday after showing up late for a team meeting. James Williams started in his place and caught four passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Click … : During the season, Holmgren makes a concerted effort to stay away from newspaper, television and radio reports. But he made a very brief breach of that rule Monday morning after the Seahawks had pulled out an exciting 25-22 victory over San Diego.
“I did turn (the radio) on this morning, thinking someone would say something nice about the game,” Holmgren said. “All I heard was, ‘If Holmgren doesn’t beat Kansas City this weekend, he should be shot!’ I hadn’t even had my coffee yet.
“So I turned it off. I thought that was a little harsh.”
Quick slants: Cornerback Shawn Springs’ status for this week is still uncertain because of a sore hamstring. … Defensive end Lamar King (strained calf) is not expected to play against Kansas City.
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