Seahawks Look In The Mirror Kansas City Faces Similar Hurdles, But Clears More On Way To Seattle

The starting quarterback was injured. Numerous other starters have gone down, too. The team was bothered by slow starts, but pulled out victories with second-half surges.

The Seattle Seahawks? Yes, to a degree.

But even more so, the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle’s opponent today at 1 in the Kingdome.

“Kansas City is doing it and they’ve had some injuries,” Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said. “Their defense has outstanding speed and quickness.”

Seattle and Kansas City have faced many of the same roadblocks, but the Chiefs have forged an 8-3 record compared to the Seahawks’ 6-5.

The Seahawks lost John Friesz early, but have been kept afloat by Warren Moon’s throwing and an improving defense. The offensive line likely is minus Derrick Graham and Howard Ballard. The defense lost Cortez Kennedy weeks ago. The secondary probably will be without Bennie Blades and definitely will be without Shawn Springs.

And, as last week’s loss to New Orleans showed, punter Rick Tuten was sorely missed. Place-kicker Todd Peterson missed two field goals and apparently wasn’t pleased with the holds of Kyle Richardson, Tuten’s replacement. Richardson also had a punt blocked and mishandled a long snap.

Tuten, despite a pelvic injury, is expected to hold on PATs and field goals. Richardson remains the punter.

The right side of the line figures to be handled by third-year pros Frank Beede and Grant Williams. Jeremy Lincoln, Jay Bellamy and Fred Thomas are handed more of the secondary’s responsibilities.

Everywhere Erickson turns he sees injuries but not excuses.

“Guys have to step up and we’ve had guys step up,” said Erickson, who then mentioned many of the aforementioned players who’ve been pressed into service.

If Seattle can win today, the schedule-maker generously listed Atlanta, Baltimore and Oakland the next three weeks. If Seattle loses, its playoff hopes could be crippled.

Kansas City, meanwhile, bolstered its playoff drive last Sunday by downing Denver 24-22 when Pete Stoyanovich’s 54-yard field goal barely cleared the cross bar. Backup quarterback Rich Gannon, who replaced the injured Elvis Grbac a couple weeks ago, directed the game-winning drive.

“We’ve been behind in nine of the 11 games we’ve played, but our guys keep playing hard,” Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “It’s almost like somebody has to slap us in the face to wake us up.”

The Chiefs have continued winning because their defense, despite yielding an average of 40 yards more per game than Seattle’s, is sixth in the NFL in points allowed (17.2). Seattle checks in at 23rd (23.5), in part because of faulty special-teams play.

And the Chiefs usually win the turnover battle.

“Teams in this league are so well-balanced, it is difficult to win when you turn the ball over,” Schottenheimer said.

At various times, injuries have stacked up on the Chiefs’ offensive line, tight ends, wide receivers and linebackers.

Linebacker Derrick Thomas, who missed four games earlier this season because of a triceps injury, recorded his 100th career sack last Sunday when he dropped Denver’s John Elway. Only 15 players have reached the milestone.

Thomas wanted to keep the ball as a memento. But first, he had to convince Elway to hand it over.

“Give me the ball,” Thomas said.

“I’m not giving you the ball,” Elway responded.

“It’s my 100th sack,” Thomas insisted.

“Here, take it,” Elway relented.

Beating Denver is another common goal of Kansas City and Seattle.

“I was rooting my butt off in the Denver-Seattle game (three weeks ago),” Thomas said.

Reflective of the difference between the clubs, Seattle played well only to lose to Denver, while Kansas City wiggled past the Broncos.

“We’ve found a way to slow some teams down,” Schottenheimer said, “but I’ll feel a lot better when we pick up the slack in the first half. We’ve been told for many years this is an entertainment business and we’ve certainly met that criteria.”

Hawks get money’s worth

Seattle is getting its money’s worth from Chad Brown, who jumped ship in Pittsburgh and signed during the off-season for six years and $24 million.

Brown leads the team with 86 tackles and three fumble recoveries and ranks second in sacks with 6-1/2.

Injuries have chipped away at the Seattle defense this month with tackle Cortez Kennedy, cornerback Shawn Springs and safety Bennie Blades all missing time with injuries. But Brown has picked up his game to compensate. He has led the Seahawks in tackles in each of the last three games and in six of the last seven.

He’s on a pace for 126 tackles, which would be a career high. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. CHIEFS The game: 1 p.m. at the Kingdome, Seattle. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 21-22, third season. Kansas City - Marty Schottenheimer, 89-49-1, ninth season; 133-76-1, 14th overall. The records: Seattle is 6-5, Kansas City is 8-3. The series: Chiefs lead 25-13. The line: Seahawks by 3. On the air Television: NBC, with Mike Breen and James Lofton. Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.