GAME: Dallas Cowboys (1-0, T1, NFC East) at Seattle Seahawks (0-1, T3, NFC West). TYPE: Regular season. WEEK: 2. WHEN: Sunday, 1:05 p.m. PT, CenturyLink Field. MEETING: 14th (Cowboys lead 9-4). STREAKS: Cowboys W 1; Seahawks L 1. HEAD COACHES: Jason Garrett, Dallas; Pete Carroll, Seattle. LINE: Dallas by 3. TV: FOX. RADIO: ESPN 710 AM, KIRO 97.3 FM.
It’s not very often that a defending Super Bowl champion loses the first regular-season game the following season. Before the New York Giants, winners of the most recent Super Bowl, lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-17, in Week 1, the last champ to lose its first was the Denver Broncos, who won the Super Bowl after the 1998 season and then lost the ’99 opener.
The team that undressed the Giants in Week 1, the Cowboys, will make their first regular-season appearance in Seattle since Oct. 23, 2005. They will find a Seahawks team that had multiple opportunities to win its opener at Arizona, but couldn’t get it done because the offensive line was unable handle the many blitz packages the Cardinals threw at them.
“Dallas came out smoking in week one,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. “They looked great against the world champs, they functioned in a lot of areas, and they played against a really good football team, and found a way to win on the road. The quarterback (Tony Romo) played great. They made big plays across the board and the defense came through.
“This is going to be a very challenging opponent and there is no reason to see anything other than that. The quarterback is amazing, and were going to have to do a really good job on defense to give ourselves a chance. Its great to be coming home and were looking forward to that.
The Seahawks have had a number of injuries, but only WR Charly Martin has been ruled out. OG John Moffitt will start at right guard and WR Golden Tate practiced all week, and Carroll expects him to play. OT Russell Okung remains doubtful.
Moffitt’s inclusion in the starting lineup is expected to ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, sacked three times by a relentless Cardinals rush. Carroll said he expects the Cowboys to follow Arizona’s example.
“You pretty much come to expect in the league that if something worked in any phase that youll see it from teams across the board,” said Carroll. “Doesnt matter whether it’s special teams or any phase, the opponents are going to try to take advantage of what they just have learned. The Ryan family is pretty famous for blitzing so were not going to be surprised if that happens.
Wilson, who spent a good deal of the week studying the Cowboys on film, said, “We have so much respect for the Dallas defense, especially the defensive line. They have one of the best defensive players (DeMarcus Ware) that has ever played the game so we really have to do a great job blocking him.”
Like Carroll, Wilson said he expects the Cowboys to bring a lot of different blitz packages.
Im definitely not concerned about it at all,” Wilson said. “I think more than anything it has to be the communication. We have to fit our blocks and just keep the ball moving. Also, we have to stay out of long-down situations.
SERIES: Dates to Oct. 3, 1976 when the Cowboys won 28-13. This will be the fourth time in the last five seasons the teams have met. The Seahawks are 2-3 all-time in games played in Seattle and won the last home regular-season matchup, 13-10, after a late Jordan Babineaux INT followed by a Josh Brown field goal, as time expired Oct.23, 2005. The teams met once in the postseason, Seattle winning, 21-20, in the NFC Wild Card Game Jan. 6, 2007 after Romo infamously bobbled the hold on a field goal attempt that could have won the game.
LAST MEETING (Cowboys 23, Seahawks 13, Nov. 6, 2011): A trio of Seattle turnovers (Tarvaris Jackson interceptions) translated into Dallas points as the Cowboys pulled away after a 6-6 halftime tie. The Seahawks got their points on a pair of field goals by Steven Hauschka and a four-yard run by Marshawn Lynch.
Seahawks: 0-1-0, T3, NFC West; scored 16 points (16.0 per game), ranking T25; allowed 20 points (12.0 per game), 12th; differential of -4 points ranks 19th. Cowboys: 1-0-0, T1, NFC East; scored 24 points (24.0), ranked 14th; allowed 17 (17.0), 9th; differential of +7 points ranks 11th.
SEAHAWKS HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll (47-50-0 career, 14-19-0 Seattle) is in his third season. In 2010, he directed Seattle to the NFC West title, the Seahawks becoming the first team in NFL history to win a division with a losing (7-9) record. Prior to joining the Seahawks, Carroll served as head coach at Southern California, where his Trojans won seven Pac-10 titles.
SEAHAWKS QUARTERBACKS: Russell Wilson had a decent first game considering the degree to which he was pressured by the Cardinals. He completed 18 of 34 for 153 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a passer rating of 62.5. The Cardinals sacked Wilson three times . . . Matt Flynn did not play in the opener.
SEAHAWKS STATS / NOTES
- SEASON SUMMARY: Record: 1-0. Home: 0-0. Road: 0-1. Vs. NFC: 0-1. Vs. AFC: 0-0. Vs. NFC East: 0-0. Vs. NFC North: 0-0. Vs. NFC South: 0-0. Vs. NFC West: 0-1. Points For: 16 (16.0). Points Against: 20 (20.0).
- NFL RANKS: Scoring Offense –16.0 (25th); Total Offense — 254.0 (29th); Rushing Offense — 115.0 (12th); Passing Offense — 239.0 (30th); Scoring Defense — 20.0 (12th); Total Defense — 253.0 (3rd); Rushing Defense — 43.0 (5th); Passing Defense — 210.0 (11th).
- INJURY REPORT: Out — WR Charly Martin (lung), James Carpenter (knee), DE Greg Scruggs (hamstring). Probable — RB Marshawn Lynch (back); WR Golden Tate (knee), QB Matt Flynn (right elbow).
- GAME DAY ACTIVITIES: Washington’s lottery will host a pre-game Tailgate Party in the north plaza. Former Seahawks RB Chris Warren will be sign autographs from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The band, Spike and the Impalers, will provide entertainment along with games, prize raffles, a photo booth and Blue Thunder performances . . . American Family Insurance Touchdown City will open at 10 a.m. and admission is free. Touchdown City features a four-sided video board with 10 x 15 screens featuring the top NFL games and more than 30 free interactive activity stations. Fans will find season-long food and beverage specials including $5 beers and $3 hot dogs. Fans can also stop by the Subway/ Coca-Cola booth to participate in the Seahawks football toss . . . Fans are invited to the northwest entrance to visit the “Bing It On Fan Challenge.” Bing will shoot video of multiple fan-related challenges that give fans a chance to show off their Seahawks pride. The best fan performances will be shown throughout the season . . . Pregame — More than 30 Seahawks alumni will be introduced on the field in honor of Seahawks Alumni Weekend . . . Halftime — The Red Bull Air Force Team will skydive starting from 5,000 feet above downtown and finishing at midfield . . . Postgame — Oh Boy! Oberto will distribute 25,000 all-natural beef jerky samples.
- 12th Man Flag Raisers: Tennessee — Steve August; Oakland — 2012 area Summer Olympians.
TEAM OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
| Seahawks | Stat | Rank | Cowboys | Stat | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 254 | 29 | Total Yards | 433 | 3 |
| Yards / Game | 254 | 29 | Yards / Game | 433 | 3 |
| Rush Yards | 115 | 13 | Rush Yards | 143.0 | 7 |
| Rush / Game | 115 | 13 | Rush / Game | 143.0 | 7 |
| Pass Yards | 139 | 30 | Pass Yards | 290.0 | 10 |
| Pass / Game | 139 | 30 | Pass / Game | 290.0 | 10 |
| Points | 16.0 | T25 | Points | 24.0 | T14 |
| Points / Game | 16.0 | T25 | Points / Game | 24.0 | T14 |
| Differential | -4 | Differential | +7 |
TEAM DEFENSIVE RANKINGS
| Seahawks | Stat | Rank | Cowboys | Stat | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 253 | 3 | Total Yards | 269 | 7 |
| Yards / Game | 253 | 3 | Yards / Game | 269 | 7 |
| Rush / Allw. | 43.0 | 5 | Rush / Allw. | 82.0 | 12 |
| Rush / Game | 43.0 | 5 | Rush / Game | 82.0 | 12 |
| Pass Allw. | 210.0 | 12 | Pass Allw. | 187.0 | 5 |
| Pass / Game | 210.o | 12 | Pass / Game | 187.0 | 5 |
| Points Allw. | 20 | 12 | Points Allw. | 17 | T9 |
| Points / Game | 20 | 12 | Points / Game | 17 | T9 |
SEAHAWKS OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Rushing
| Player | G | Att. | Yards | TDs | Long | Y/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshawn Lynch | 1 | 21 | 85 | 0 | 11 | 85.0 |
| Russell Wilson | 1 | 8 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 20.0 |
| Robert Turbin | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5.0 |
| Leon Washington | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5.0 |
| Team | 1 | 33 | 115 | 0 | 11 | 115.0 |
| Opponents | 1 | 20 | 43 | 1 | 15 | 43.0 |
Passing
| Player | G | Att. | Cmp. | Yards | TDs/INT | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Wilson | 1 | 34 | 18 | 153 | 1/1 | 62.5 |
| Team | 1 | 34 | 18 | 153 | 1/1 | 62.5 |
| Opponents | 1 | 36 | 20 | 215 | 1/1 | 70.9 |
Receiving
| Player | G | Rec. | Yards | TD | Long | Y/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braylon Edwards | 1 | 5 | 43 | 0 | 16 | 43.0 |
| Sidney Rice | 1 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 11 | 36.0 |
| Zach Miller | 1 | 3 | 40 | 0 | 27 | 40.0 |
| Marshawn Lynch | 1 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 12.0 |
| Doug Baldwin | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5.0 |
| Charly Martin | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 15.0 |
| Team | 1 | 18 | 153 | 1 | 27 | 153.0 |
| Opponents | 1 | 20 | 215 | 1 | 23 | 215.0 |
SEAHAWKS DEFENSIVE LEADERS
| Category | Skinny |
|---|---|
| Tackles | K. Wright 9, K. Chancellor 5, 3 with 4 |
| Sacks | C. Clemons 1.0 |
| Quarterback Hits | C. Clemons 2, K. Wright 1, L. Hill 1, Irvin 1 |
| Interceptions | R. Sherman 1 |
| Passes Defensed | R. Sherman 2, B. Mebane 2, M. Trufant 2 |
| Forced Fumbles | K. Wright 1, C. Clemons 1 |
| Fumbles Recovered | B. Mebane 1 |
COWBOYS NOTES: The Cowboys opened with a 24-17 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in which QB Tony Romo threw for 307 yards and three TDs and RB DeMarco Murray ran for 129 yards . . . The Cowboys also unveiled a new playmaking threat in Kevin Ogletree, who caught eight passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns . . . The Cowboys were flagged 13 times for 86 yards . . Dallas signed cornerback LeQuan Lewis Wednesday, after he was released from the New York Jets practice squad. The move was made more for Lewis’s abilities on special teams . . . NFL fined left tackle Tyron Smith $15,000 for his horse-collar tackle that prevented a touchdown on an interception return.
COWBOYS QUARTERBACKS: Romo completed 22 of 29 passes and finished with a passer rating of 129.5. Romo, whose three TDs lead the NFL, is coming off a 2011 season in which he threw for 4,184 yards and 31 touchdowns . . . Romo’s backup is Kyle Orton, the former starter for the Denver Broncos.
COWBOYS HEAD COACH Jason Garrett: The Cowboys named Garrett the eighth head coach in franchise history Jan. 5, 2011. Garrett, who played for or worked alongside four of his predecessors, became the first former Cowboys player to become the team’s head coach. A Princeton graduate, Garrett was a member of three Dallas Super Bowl teams in the 1990s when he served as a backup to Troy Aikman.
KEY DATES: Nov. 18 — Seahawks bye week; Jan. 5-6, 2013 — Wild card weekend; Jan. 12-13 — Divisional playoffs; Jan. 19-20 — Conference championships; Jan. 27 — Pro Bowl (Honolulu); Feb. 3 — Super Bowl, New Orleans. Feb. 20-26 — NFL combine (Indianapolis); April 25-27 — NFL draft.
TRANSACTIONS
- Aug. 26: Waived LB Jameson Konz, DE Pep Levingston, DB Roy Lewis, TE Cameron Morrah, WR Phil Bates, OT Edawn Coughman, CB Donny Lisowski, CB Ron Parker, RB Tyrell Sutton, OT Alex Barron, OG Deuce Lutui, WR Terrell Owens.
- Aug. 27: Traded LB Barrett Ruud to New Orleans to for an undisclosed future draft pick; waived DE Dexter Davis and re-signed CB Denny Lisowski, an undrafted rookie free agent from Montana who attended O’Dea High; traded QB Tarvaris Jackson to Buffalo for an undisclosed future draft choice.
- Aug. 31: Waived/released CB Phillip Adams, DE Pierre Allen, LB Allen Bradford, WR Deon Butler, WR Kris Durham, G Paul Fanaika, G Rishaw Johnson, WR Jermaine Kearse, LB Kyle Knox, DE Cordarro Law, WR Ricardo Lockette, TE Sean McGrath, C Kris ODowd, QB Josh Portis, S DeShawn Shead, LB Korey Toomer, WR Lavasier Tuinei, TE Cooper Helfet, RB Vai Taua.
- Sept. 1: Released TE Kellen Winslow; signed to practice squad LB Allen Bradford, G Rishaw Johnson, WR Ricardo Lockette, TE Sean McGrath, QB Josh Portis, S DeShawn Shead, LB Korey Toomer.
- Sept. 3: Signed to practice squad T/DT Edawn Coughman, WR Jermaine Kearse; signed TE Evan Moore.
- Sept. 13: Released G Rishaw Johnson and LB Korey Toomer from the practice squad and signed LB Allen Bradford and OT Mike Person in their places.
NFC West Standings
| Team | Overall | vs. Div. | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1-0 | 1-0 | Sunday at New England Patriots |
| S. Francisco | 1-0 | 0-0 | Sunday vs. Detroit Lions |
| Seattle | 0-1 | 0-1 | Sunday vs. Dallas Cowboys |
| St. Louis | 0-1 | 0-0 | Sunday vs. Washington Redskins |
COMING UP: The Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers before heading to St. Louis for the first of two meetings with the Rams.
2012 Seahawks Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV | W/L | Score | Rec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/11/12 | vs. Tennessee | 7 p.m. | Q13 | W | 27-17 | 1-0 |
| 8/18/12 | at Denver | 6 p.m. | Q13 | W | 30-10 | 2-0 |
| 8/24/12 | at Kansas City | 5 p.m. | Q13 | W | 44-14 | 3-0 |
| 8/30/12 | vs. Oakland | 7 p.m. | Q13 | W | 21-3 | 4-0 |
2012 Seahawks Regular-Season Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV | W/L | Score | Rec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/9/12 | at Arizona | 1:25 p.m. | FOX | L | 20-16 | 0-1 |
| 9/16/12 | vs. Dallas | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 9/24/12 | vs. Green Bay | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN | — | — | — |
| 9/30/12 | at St. Louis | 10 a.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 10/7/12 | at Carolina | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 10/14/12 | vs. N. England | 1:05 p.m. | CBS | — | — | — |
| 10/18/12 | at S. Francisco | 5:20 p.m. | NFLN | — | — | — |
| 10/28/12 | at Detroit | 10 a.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 11/4/12 | vs. Minnesota | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 11/11/11 | vs. NY Jets | 1:05 p.m. | CBS | — | — | — |
| 11/18/11 | Bye Week | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11/25/12 | at Miami | 10 a.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 12/2/12 | at Chicago | 10 a.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 12/9/12 | vs. Arizona | 1:15 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 12/16/12 | *at Buffalo | 1:05 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 12/23/12 | vs. San Francisco | 1:15 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
| 12/30/12 | vs. St. Louis | 1:15 p.m. | FOX | — | — | — |
* in Toronto
2012 Seahawks Capsules
Preseason
Aug. 11 Seahawks 27, Titans 17 (at Seattle) — Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson ran for a touchdown and passed for one, leading the Seahawks over a Tennessee Titans team featuring two quarterbacks with strong local ties, ex-Seahawk Matt Hasselbeck and ex-Husky Jake Locker. Hasselbeck threw two interceptions while Locker completed 7 of 13 for 80 yards.
Aug. 18: Seahawks 30, Broncos 10 (at Denver) — Starting his second straight exhibition game, QB Matt Flynn failed to seize control of the quarterback job, finishing 6 of 13 for 31 yards with no TDs or INTs. But Wilson made a case for himself by completing 10 of 17 for 155 yards, two TDs and a passer rating of 28.5. The Seahawks finished with 228 yards rushing, led by Sutton’s 48 yards on three carries.
Aug. 24: Seahawks 44, Chiefs 14 (at Kansas City) — Wilson completed 10 of 17 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. With Wilson playing into the second half, Seattle scored 21 points, overcoming a 10-9 halftime deficit. Earl Thomas made the big defensive play, returning an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Flynn did not play due to injury.
Aug. 30: Seahawks 21, Raiders 3 (at Seattle): Flynn, getting most of the snaps, completed 11 of 13 passes for 102 yards. Seahawks outgained the Raiders 334 yards to 101.
Regular Season
Sept. 8: Cardinals 20, Seahawks 16 (at Phoenix): Despite seven tries inside Arizona’s red zone in final minute, the Seahawks could not score the game- winning touchdown. The Seahawks overcame a tepid first half offensively thanks to an 83-yard kickoff return and a 52-yard punt return by Leon Washington.
