Scouting Report

PLAYER MATCHUPS

Passing PC-PA Yds. TD Int.

John Friesz, Seattle 112-193 1,481 8 3

Scott Mitchell, Detroit 158-275 1,873 14 11

Don Majkowski, Detroit 37-79 397 2 2

Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD

Chris Warren, Seattle 146 572 3.9 4

Lamar Smith, Seattle 59 315 5.3 4

Barry Sanders, Detroit 181 848 4.7 6

Ron Rivers, Detroit 14 80 5.7 0

Receiving Rec. Yds. AVG. TD

Joey Galloway, Seattle 40 641 16.0 5

Brian Blades, Seattle 37 501 13.5 2

Herman Moore, Detroit 66 861 13.0 7

Brett Perriman, Detroit 55 604 11.0 5

INJURIES

Seahawks: Out: TE Christian Fauria (ankle) Doubtful: LB Michael Barber (hamstring), WR Brian Blades (shoulder) Questionable: RB Mack Strong (knee).

Lions: Out: LB Stephen Boyd (abdomen) Doubtful: G Mike Compton (ankle), QB Scott Mitchell (rib), DE Tracy Scroggins (ankle) Questionable: S Bennie Blades (hip), S Ron Rice (ankle), RB Ron Rivers (calf).

ANALYSIS

Detroit, with a four-game losing streak, injuries piling up and fans squealing, is favored over Seattle, which has won three straight over foes with winning records and looked like a playoff team last week?

It’s as if Vegas let Wayne Fontes’ wife make the line: Lions by 4-1/2?!?!

Of course, there’s a kicker - the health of Detroit quarterback Scott Mitchell (ribs). He threw during Thursday’s practice, but he couldn’t put much juice on his passes.

Detroit is in dire straits, so expect Mitchell to play, even though he won’t start. The Lions likely will call more on the Houdini legs of Barry Sanders, who has averaged only 18 carries per game.

The Lions’ lackluster offense has hurt Detroit’s defense, which has allowed 27, 28, 35, 37 and 24 points the last five games.

Stopping Sanders will be the problem. Add in a reasonably healthy Mitchell, and we’ll begin to believe the oddsmakers. Seattle has the edge if Don Majkowski plays more than Mitchell.

, DataTimes