Two teams of West woe

  • SCOTT M. JOHNSON / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, November 4, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – More than 50,000 motorists are expected to slow down and take a peek at the car crash going on at Husky Stadium this afternoon, further proof that even the most gruesome displays can draw a crowd.

When the Seattle Seahawks (2-7) and San Diego Chargers (0-8) square off, the only thing at stake is a one-week reprieve from yearlong embarrassment. This game is the NFL equivalent of the Clippers vs. the Mavericks. It’s like a boxing match between Dennis Miller and Howard Cosell.

“We’re struggling, they’re struggling,” Seahawks wide receiver Sean Dawkins said. “They’re trying to find their first win, and we’re trying to find a win we haven’t had in a long time.

“It’s definitely a motivation to play real good ball and not be the first team to give them a win. I feel sorry for them because I’ve been through something like that. I know what it feels like. But I don’t want to give them their first win.”

For San Diego, the pressure is mounting. After this game, the Chargers face Miami and Kansas City on the road, with a game at Denver in between. There is the very real possibility that San Diego could go 0-12 if it doesn’t win today.

“Any week would be a good one to get a win,” San Diego quarterback Jim Harbaugh said. “We know (the Seahawks) are capable of beating us because they’ve already beat us.” Harbaugh paused and chuckled before adding, “We’re not taking anybody lightly.”

With a five-game losing streak of their own, the Seahawks also promise not to look past the struggling Chargers.

“It’s not like we’re 9-0 playing an 0-8 team,” Seattle offensive lineman Pete Kendall said. “We can’t afford to put any extra pressure on ourselves.”

Surprisingly, a game between two teams struggling this badly hasn’t been played in Seattle for a while. Five years ago today, the 2-6 Seahawks and 3-5 New York Giants faced off in a battle of sinking teams that appeared to be destined to finish in their respective cellars. Seattle won that game 30-28 and went on to go 6-2 over the second half of the year.

Defensive end Michael Sinclair, one of only five current Seahawks who were on that ‘95 team, can look back on that season for motivation. While some outsiders have questioned whether Seattle veterans are playing out the string, he hasn’t given up on 2000.

“I don’t think anybody’s throwing in the towel or waving the white flag,” Sinclair said. “That ‘Let’s just play for pride,’ I never could understand that. That’s high school; Pop Warner. Play for pride?”

For further inspiration, some Seahawks are looking back no further than 1999.

“It reminds me of last season when the Jets were down,” Dawkins said, referring to a 1-6 start by New York before finishing with an 8-8 record. “They were winning, then Vinny (Testaverde) went down. (Ray) Lucas came in and then the last six games they just won. It’s good morale going into the next year. I want to try to do something like that.”

Getting a victory today isn’t as easy as it might sound, and not just because the Seahawks have played so poorly themselves. For all of the Chargers’ offensive problems, San Diego still boasts one of the league’s best defenses – especially against the run.

That means Seattle’s defense will need to play like it did in an earlier meeting this season, when the Chargers were held to four field goals in a 20-12 Seahawks victory.

“They’re not a team that’s going to give up 14, 17 points,” Kendall said. “You’ve got to go in there thinking that if you get 20 like we did last time, you’re going to feel good about that. They’ve got a tough defense.”

The Chargers don’t always play like an 0-8 team. And a few breaks have also kept the Seahawks from being a .500 team. But this afternoon, the two wounded teams will try to put one another out of their misery.

“There’s just that extra oomph that we’re not giving to get over the hump and win the game,” Dawkins said. “We’re not two bad teams, I don’t think. We don’t have that tradition of Cincinnati or something like that. It’s just a down year.”

Or two down years. The kind that might make some motorists cringe.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

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.