Seattle’s Elation Could Crash In Kansas City

The Seattle Seahawks probably felt pretty good about themselves after their win over Miami. Then they looked at their schedule and saw two utterly terrifying words:

“Kansas” and “City”.

The Chiefs, who have won 10 of the last 11 in this series, own the Seahawks like no other NFL team. There are unsubstantiated rumors Paul Allen will have to negotiate with the Chiefs to purchase the Hawks.

In Week 3, Seattle’s defense made Steve Bono look superhuman instead of a 12-year veteran with 33 career starts. Behind Bono’s three touchdown passes, Kansas City whipped the Hawks 35-17. That was the Chiefs’ most points since scoring 34 against Seattle in 1995, 38 against Seattle in 1994 and 34 against Seattle in 1993.

See a theme emerging?

“I can’t talk about the times before I was here, but all three games I’ve been involved in they’ve handled us (up front) pretty good,” Hawks second-year coach Dennis Erickson said.

That’s on both lines - offense and defense. Visiting Seattle will try to equalize the trench wars when the two AFC West squads meet tonight at 5. TNT will televise the game nationally - viewer discretion is advised if Kansas City dominates up front again.

“We got push up the middle, that’s the most important thing,” Chiefs defensive end Neil Smith said. “Quarterbacks feel the push up the middle more than on the outside. … If you can stop our penetration, you can stop our defense pretty much.”

Quarterback John Friesz will start for the Seahawks for the second consecutive week. He has a fan in Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer, but the Chiefs have tortured Friesz over the years. Friesz is 0-4 as a starter against K.C. with a 47.6 completion percentage.

“He’s a very good field general, does a good job making decisions and he gets the ball out of his hands fast,” Schottenheimer said. Of course prior to the September meeting, Schottenheimer, in his best NFLese, was trumpeting Rick Mirer.

Meanwhile, Schottenheimer moved quickly to defuse growing criticism of Bono.

The Chiefs are 24th in total offense (289.7 yards) and 15th in points (19.5) - stats that would be more of an eyesore if not for the battering of Seattle in September. Bono has five interceptions and just two TDs since leaving the Kingdome.

“Absolutely not,” responded Schottenheimer when asked if he considered pulling Bono in the 17-7 loss to Pittsburgh on Oct. 7. “It frankly comes as a surprise that it was even a question that was posed.”

Notes

Seahawks linebacker Terry Wooden will not play. At least the Seahawks know what’s wrong with Wooden, who hasn’t played this season. Wooden pulled a muscle a few weeks ago which was next to his already pulled hamstring muscle, Erickson explained. The new injury wasn’t detected until an MRI last week. Wooden is expected to return for San Diego Oct. 27… .

Kansas City cornerback James Hasty, a Washington State grad, returns to the starting lineup after missing the Pittsburgh game with a wrist injury. Hasty had played in 124 straight games dating back to 1988. …

Both teams are coming off bye weeks.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. CHIEFS The game: 5 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 10-12, second season. Kansas City - Marty Schottenheimer, 76-41-1 eighth season; 120-68-1 overall in 13th season. The records: Seattle is 2-4. Kansas City is 4-2. The series: Kansas City leads 23-13. The line: Chiefs by 9. On the air Television: TNT, with Verne Lundquist and Pat Haden. Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.