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Something Has To Give Similar In Their Struggles, Seahawks And Colts Attempt To End Losing Streaks

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

If the Seattle Seahawks look in the mirror, they might see the Indianapolis Colts.

Or the mirror might crack.

At least Seattle comes into today’s game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis with an edge in the form of a 45-3 bashing of the Colts in preseason.

Right?

“You can’t go by a preseason game,” Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said. “That’s pretty obvious by how we’ve played in the regular season.”

Both 0-2 teams can ease their suffering from slow starts by pointing out the other’s futilities.

Seattle can laugh at Indianapolis because:

The Colts haven’t scored an offensive touchdown this season.

The longest catch by Colts’ starting receivers Marvin Harrison and Sean Dawkins is 14 yards.

The Colts’ best player might be punter Chris Gardocki. He averages 47.2 yards per kick.

Colts quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times.

Colts games aren’t on TV in Indianapolis because the RCA Dome doesn’t sell out.

Star running back Marshall Faulk is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry, with a long of 22.

The Colts can chuckle at Seattle since:

The Seahawks have scored only one offensive touchdown this season.

All-Pros Michael Sinclair, Cortez Kennedy and Chad Brown have combined for just two sacks.

Seattle’s best player might be punter Rick Tuten. He averages 45.5 yards per kick.

The Seahawks are ranked 27th in total defense and have surrendered 76 points.

Seahawks games aren’t on TV in Seattle because the Kingdome doesn’t sell out.

Star running back Chris Warren is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, with a long of 19.

There are some subtle differences. Seattle has rebounded from 0-2 starts in coach Dennis Erickson’s first two seasons, but hasn’t made the playoffs. Indianapolis has been in the playoffs the last two years, once after a 1-2 start.

“This team has a lot of resiliency,” Colts coach Lindy Infante said.

Somebody better show some resiliency soon. Only four teams since 1970 have started 0-3 and made the playoffs. For that matter, only 17 have started 0-2 and made the postseason.

“I feel a sense of urgency to start winning before we get into a hole we can’t get out of,” Erickson said.

Colts QB Jim Harbaugh has been harassed throughout the first two games. The Colts start two rookie offensive linemen - first-round draft pick Tarik Glenn from Cal and second-rounder Adam Meadows from Georgia.

To compensate for the pressure, Harbaugh has been throwing short, quick-release passes. He’s completed 65 percent, but his average per attempt is just 5.22 yards.

“There are a lot of down teams and I’m sure Seattle’s looking at the same thing,” he said. “They want to find a way to win and we do, too.”

Naturally, they’ve found each other.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. COLTS The game: 1 p.m. at RCA Dome, Indianapolis Coaches: Seattle Dennis Erickson, 15-19, third season. Indianapolis Lindy Infante, 9-9, 2nd season; 33-49 overall, 6th season. The records: Seattle 0-2, Indianapolis 0-2. The series: Indianapolis leads 4-1. The line: Indianapolis by 2-1/2.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. COLTS The game: 1 p.m. at RCA Dome, Indianapolis Coaches: Seattle Dennis Erickson, 15-19, third season. Indianapolis Lindy Infante, 9-9, 2nd season; 33-49 overall, 6th season. The records: Seattle 0-2, Indianapolis 0-2. The series: Indianapolis leads 4-1. The line: Indianapolis by 2-1/2.