Seahawks stifle Eagles

PHILADELPHIA – Richard Sherman turned his back on the field, where another Seahawks defensive domination was well underway. He took a bow toward fans behind Seattle’s bench who weren’t exactly spewing brotherly love. Sherman then posed and put his hand to his ear, as if seeking more noise. “You enjoy the hostility,” said Sherman. “It kind of motivates you during the game, to send them home.” His wasn’t the only way in which Seattle humbled Philadelphia on Sunday. Russell Wilson threw for 263 yards with touchdowns to Doug Baldwin and Marshawn Lynch. He also ran for 50 yards and another score in his latest day of remarkable improvisation and escape. Meanwhile, Sherman, Bobby Wagner and the rest of the rejuvenated defense turned Philadelphia’s go-go offense into goo in Seattle’s 24-14 victory over the NFC East leader Sunday at angry Lincoln Financial Field. “This,” coach Pete Carroll said, “is the way we want to play.” It was thudding. It was convincing. Arizona also won, 17-14 over Kansas City. So the Seahawks (9-4) remain one game behind the Cardinals atop the NFC West with three regular-season games remaining – including Dec. 21 at Arizona, which Seattle beat 19-3 two weeks ago at home. Philadelphia, the league’s No. 4 offense at 31.3 points and 416 yards per game coming in, gained just 139 on a mere 45 plays. The Seahawks won their third in a row by holding the Eagles (9-4) to the fewest yards Chip Kelly has produced in his head-coaching/offensive-guru career at either the NFL or collegiate level. Wagner again led the Seahawks with seven tackles. He wasn’t surprised by so thoroughly dominating the Eagles. “I expected it, yeah,” Wagner said. “Watching film we could see that we are the fastest defense that they’ve played.” The Seahawks have allowed 20 total points and 407 yards combined in consecutive wins over Arizona, San Francisco and Philadelphia. The only Eagles points on a windy, chilly day south of downtown Philadelphia came after Seahawks punter Jon Ryan dropped a snap for a lost fumble at his own 14 in the first quarter, then in the third quarter following a 46-yard return of a kickoff to midfield by Philadelphia’s Josh Huff. After K.J. Wright forced a fumble with a hit on throttled Eagles runner LeSean McCoy, Earl Thomas recovered at the Philadelphia 19 on the first play of the third quarter. Wilson then rolled right and threw back to Lynch, who was all alone on the left side. The 15-yard score made it 17-7 and squashed any hope the Eagles may have had that the second half would produce a comeback. The loss by the Eagles ended their 10-game winning streak at home. The Seahawks’ offense ran 85 plays, thoroughly controlling field position. It was the reverse of their September loss at San Diego when they couldn’t get the ball. That’s how far the Seahawks have soared in three months. After the Eagles closed within 17-14 when Zach Ertz beat Wright down the Seahawks’ sideline on a wheel route for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter, Baldwin created the final Seahawks score. Wilson scrambled and then heaved a deep ball, later saying he knew Baldwin would make a play one way or another. Baldwin did. He coaxed a 44-yard pass-interference penalty on Bradley Fletcher by engaging the Eagles cornerback in a grabbing contest while the ball was in the air. Four plays later Wilson found Baldwin running free down the seam. His pass hit Baldwin in stride at the goal line for a 23-yard touchdown and the 24-14 lead.