Seahawks complete perfect preseason

SEATTLE – Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson played just one quarter in his final tuneup before the regular season, so high-priced backup Matt Flynn led Seattle on a three scoring drives. The Seahawks closed out the second perfect preseason in franchise history with a 21-3 win over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night. Wilson saw limited action just days after winning the quarterback competition and being chosen the regular-season starter. He is one of five rookies expected to start for NFL teams when the season begins next week. Flynn played most of the second and third quarters and led Seattle to a pair of touchdowns. That was more than the Seahawks needed thanks to a stingy defense that continued to impress. Seattle’s starting defense allowed just 17 points while on the field during the preseason. It wasn’t just the starting defense that was dominant for Seattle. The reserves were pretty good too, as the Raiders were held to 101 yards total offense and five first downs. Seattle first-round pick Bruce Irvin had 11/2 sacks and a forced fumble, and fellow rookie Jaye Howard tackled running back Mike Goodson in the end zone for a safety in the fourth quarter. Eddy Carmona’s 31-yard field goal with 15 seconds left kept the Raiders from being shut out for the second time this preseason. Oakland finished the preseason 1-3 and opens the regular season on Sept. 10 hosting San Diego. The last time Seattle went undefeated in the preseason was 2009. That season ended with the Seahawks going 5-11, losing their last four games, and then coach Jim Mora was fired. Wilson played the entire first quarter and probably would have added yet another touchdown to his preseason total. But Vai Taua dropped a pass in the flat inside the 5 with a clear path to the end zone. Wilson finished 5 of 11 for 73 yards, his least productive appearance of the exhibition season. Wilson did get a chance to be acknowledged by the home crowd for his dynamic preseason performance that earned him the starting job when the Seahawks travel to Arizona on Sept. 9. He was the last player introduced during the pregame pomp and circumstance and ran out to the loudest cheers. With Wilson seeming limited time, it was Flynn’s turn to get the bulk of the work.