Hawks want the win
KIRKLAND, Wash. – While insisting that he’ll start most of his top players, and maintaining that he’s still trying to win the game, Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren admitted Friday that at least three starters are unlikely to play in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons.
Left tackle Walter Jones, wide receiver Deion Branch and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard are probably going to sit out the game so they can rest lingering injuries. Holmgren said that the injuries should not affect any of the three starters in next weekend’s playoff opener.
Jones has been struggling with shoulder problems for most of the season, but he has started every game. The team has been limiting the veteran’s practice reps over the past month.
Holmgren said that, as of Friday afternoon, he had not completely ruled out playing Jones against the Falcons.
“I want to start off the game and I want to play well,” Holmgren said, adding that Floyd Womack would be the likely starter if Jones doesn’t play. “… But I haven’t decided yet if he’s going to play.”
Bernard has also taken time off in practice. He has had a groin problem for most of the season, and last Sunday the Seahawks held him out of the Baltimore game as a precaution.
Branch suffered a minor calf injury at Wednesday’s practice and did not participate in the Thursday or Friday sessions.
“I think he’s going to be fine,” Holmgren said. “We’re being real conservative for obvious reasons.”
Also sidelined for Sunday’s game will be reserve linebacker Niko Koutouvides, who missed practice after injuring his knee the previous day. Holmgren did not know the extent of the injury, but he acknowledged that there is a chance Koutouvides may miss time in the playoffs.
With one game left in the regular season, the Seahawks have a fairly clean bill of health. Wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) and cornerback Josh Wilson (quadriceps) returned from injuries this week and should play Sunday. Koutouvides is the only player whose postseason availability is up in the air at this point.
The Seahawks have already clinched a playoff berth and the No. 3 seed in the NFC heading into the regular-season finale.
Sibling rivalry
Seahawks defensive back Jordan Babineaux has lined up on the opposite sideline from his brother, Jonathan, only one other time. That game, a 21-18 Seahawks victory over Jonathan’s Falcons in 2005, didn’t really count.
Because, as Jordan Babineaux pointed out this week, “he was just a rookie then.”
On Sunday, Jordan and Jonathan Babineaux will face off for the second time in their NFL careers.
“I’ll be rooting for his personal success,” Jordan Babineaux said, “but I want to win the game.”
The Babineaux brothers won’t really be going against each other, seeing as how both of them play on the defensive side of the ball. Jonathan is a starting defensive tackle for the Falcons, while Jordan is mostly used in nickel formations for Seattle.
Jordan, 25, is 11 months younger than his brother but has one more year of NFL experience.
Stingy defense
If Seattle’s defense allows 13 points or less on Sunday, it will break a 16-year-old franchise record.
Having given up just 247 points this season, the Seahawks are on pace to allow the fewest points in franchise history over the course of a full season.
The 1991 Seahawks allowed 261 points, while Seattle gave up 147 during the nine-game, strike-shortened season in 1982.