Holmgren ponders his lineup for Sunday

KIRKLAND – Decisions, decisions.

When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, these are the kinds of choices coach Mike Holmgren hoped to have to make this season.

With homefield advantage throughout the playoffs all wrapped up, the Seahawks (13-2) have no mathematical incentive to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

As of Monday afternoon, Holmgren was still deciding what that means in regard to playing time for some of his star players.

“We haven’t decided yet on exactly how we’re going to do that,” said Holmgren, who was never in a similar position while coaching the Packers for seven years. “We’re going to spend a couple of days thinking about it.”

Holmgren said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck would start, but admitted backup Seneca Wallace would see playing time. He also said injured players like cornerback Marcus Trufant (back contusion) and linebacker D.D. Lewis (strained foot) were candidates to take the day off.

The big question might be how much playing time running back Shaun Alexander gets, mainly because he’s still trying to win an NFL rushing title and set the record for touchdowns in a season.

Alexander’s playing time could also be affected by how much practice time he misses this week. He’s expected to return to the Cincinnati area after the death of an aunt.

Monday afternoon, Alexander did not know when he would leave, or how long he’d be away. There’s a good chance he may just meet the team in Green Bay.

“I think life goes on,” said Alexander, whose aunt died early Monday of causes related to diabetes. “You have to do what you have to do. I want to console my family. I have an uncle who’s really hurting … but at the same time, they know everybody has to go out and live their lives.”

Even if Alexander is at Sunday’s game, his playing time could be reduced because of the meaningless nature of the game.

“It’sgood timing for me with what’s going on,” Alexander said. “But we have a lot of guys who need to really rest up.”

The Seahawks’ main goal right now is to get to the Super Bowl, so health is more important than a victory over Green Bay.

“You can take a little bit of a breath,” Holmgren said.

“But at the same time, it’s important for us to maintain some continuity. It’s important to me and the team that when we step onto the field, we play well. Whoever’s playing, I expect them to play well.”

Record run

After setting up a possible touchdown by running 13 yards and getting within a foot of the goal line, running back Maurice Morris had reason to be upset with being taken out of Saturday’s game. But he wasn’t.

He said he hoped the Seahawks would let Alexander score the touchdown – which he did – to tie the NFL record for TDs in a season with 27.

“If he’s that close to getting the record,” Morris said, “let’s go ahead and finish it off.”