Seahawks find road much less daunting

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Winning two on the road to start the season would pretty much vaporize the storyline that defined the Seattle Seahawks’ 2003 season.

Having already handled the New Orleans Saints in the opener Sunday, the Seahawks are halfway to their total for road victories last season.

Despite the Seahawks’ past troubles away from Qwest Field, oddsmakers installed them as a three-point favorite to beat Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough game for us,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said this week, “but we are a much better team than we have been in the past.”

They were certainly better while coasting to a 21-7 victory Sunday in the Louisiana Superdome.

After the Buccaneers trudged through a 16-10 loss at Washington, managing 169 yards and 10 first downs, Seattle appears to have the better team for a second consecutive week.

The Seahawks emerged from New Orleans enthused by the outcome but mindful that early mistakes might prove costlier against another opponent. The Saints did not resemble a contender.

“The beauty of this team is that they get it; the players get it,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “They know us (as coaches), they know what is expected. If you can get a player to be as hard on himself as we are on him, then you really have something going.

“This group is pretty honest at how they look at things.”

The Seahawks entered this season expecting to ride their highly ranked offense while their young defense tried to prove itself. But it was the offense that faltered early in the game Sunday.

An interception, a fumble and two penalties marred the first three possessions. Those types of errors generally prove costliest on the road, although Seattle recovered in time to amass 415 yards.

Alexander shows signs of recovery

Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has shown some recovery from a bone bruise on his right knee, but Holmgren said Wednesday that Maurice Morris will be ready to start Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Alexander, listed as questionable, didn’t practice Wednesday, the third consecutive day he’s been held out.

“He has improved. My hope is he can practice maybe a little tomorrow and if not tomorrow then Friday,” Holmgren said. “Then we’ll see. We’ll take it a day at a time. He is improving. He feels very positive.”

Morris practiced with the first-team offense.

Alexander was hurt during the win at New Orleans. He had 135 yards rushing on 28 carries, running for two touchdowns and scoring another on a pass reception.

Holmgren said second-year running back Kerry Carter also will be ready in the backfield Sunday.