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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Intercepted!


Seattle's Maurice Morris goes by Philadelphia's Sheldon Brown for a 45-yard touchdown during the second half.Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Rob Maaddi Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA – Lofa Tatupu joked about missing a tackle and a few defensive assignments. The way he caught the ball, the linebacker might want to play tight end, too.

Tatupu set up Seattle’s first two touchdowns by intercepting A.J. Feeley twice in the first quarter, and he sealed a 28-24 Seattle victory over Philadelphia with another pick at the Seahawks 4 in the final minute Sunday.

Tatupu had three interceptions as a rookie in 2005, but only two since. He matched that total in the first six minutes, and capped off a career day by hauling in Feeley’s pass with 23 seconds left.

“I’m just glad I didn’t drop it,” Tatupu said.

Maurice Morris had a 45-yard touchdown run, helping the NFC West-leading Seahawks improve to 8-4. Matt Hasselbeck threw for two scores and Shaun Alexander had 65 yards rushing and one TD after missing three games with a sprained knee.

By the time Donovan McNabb comes back, Philadelphia (5-7) might be playing for pride only. The Eagles are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in three years after making four consecutive appearances in the NFC championship game.

“It’s frustrating the way we’ve lost some of these games,” safety Brian Dawkins said.

Playing their second straight game without the injured McNabb, the Eagles didn’t have problems moving the ball on a cold, rainy day. But Feeley’s interceptions cost Philadelphia again.

McNabb hasn’t played since spraining his right ankle and injuring his thumb in a win over Miami two weeks ago. Led by Jeff Garcia, the Eagles went 5-1 and won the NFC East after McNabb went down with a knee injury last year. But Philly is 0-2 without its five-time Pro Bowl quarterback this season. Coach Andy Reid said McNabb likely will start against the New York Giants Sunday.

Brian Westbrook’s 64-yard punt return put the ball at Seattle’s 14 with under two minutes left, but Feeley threw his fourth interception on third down. He finished 19 for 42 for 220 yards.

“It’s on me,” Feeley said. “You don’t force the ball.”

Feeley had career bests in completions (27) and yards passing (345) and threw three TDs in a 31-28 loss at New England last Sunday. He also had three interceptions, including one that was returned for a score.

The backup picked up where he left off against the Patriots by tossing his third straight interception on the first play from scrimmage. Tatupu returned it 33 yards to the Eagles 18, and Seattle went ahead 7-0 when Alexander ran in from the 2.

After Westbrook’s 29-yard TD run in the third quarter gave the Eagles their first lead, Morris put Seattle ahead to stay. Morris took a pitch, ran untouched into the secondary, juked past a tackler and scampered into the end zone.

Feeley already has thrown two more interceptions than McNabb in just 2 1/2 games. His seventh pick came on his 93rd pass of the season. McNabb has been intercepted just six times in 326 attempts.

“It’s my job to see everything and protect the football,” Feeley said. “The bottom line is it’s me. It’s going to eat on me for a while if Don comes back and I have to sit on this.”

The Eagles tied it at 7 when Correll Buckhalter burst up the middle for a 30-yard TD run. Later in the first quarter, Tatupu returned his second pick 49 yards to the Eagles 8. Hasselbeck fired a 12-yard TD pass over the middle to Bobby Engram on third down to put the Seahawks ahead 14-7.

Tatupu had one of three defensive touchdowns in Seattle’s 42-0 victory in Philadelphia on Dec. 5, 2005. Mike McMahon started that game for McNabb, who was out with a sports hernia.

“Lofa Tatupu had one of the great games that I have ever seen a linebacker play,” Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. “He does have great instincts. He’s got great ball skills. He can catch the ball. He was a former quarterback. He’s very athletic plus he’s a tough guy. He can make those plays that other linebackers can’t.”

The Seahawks extended their lead to 21-10 on Nate Burleson’s 43-yard catch-and-run TD. Burleson, who returned a punt 36 yards on the previous play, eluded Lito Sheppard with a nice move at the 20 and ran down the right sideline.

Feeley connected with Kevin Curtis on a 24-yard TD pass to pull Philadelphia to 21-17.

The Seahawks preserved that lead with a strong goal-line stand at the end of the first half. The Eagles had a first down at the 1, but didn’t gain a yard on two runs by Westbrook and a pass. On fourth down, Rocky Bernard pushed through and stopped Westbrook for no gain.