Seattle Seahawks have gone to passing attack more than usual

RENTON, Washington – The numbers, Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin said, definitely can deceive.

Seattle has passed the ball on almost 57 percent of its plays this season. That ranks 12th in run-pass ratio among NFL teams. The Seahawks have been either first or second in run-pass ratio the past three years, not throwing it more than 48 percent of the time.

“It’s just because we’ve been down in a couple of games,” Baldwin said, citing defeats against St. Louis and Green Bay.

No question, as in each of those games Seattle took to the air hoping to rally from second-half deficits.

Still, the Seahawks were never behind – and seemingly never in danger – against the Chicago Bears in a 26-0 victory Sunday, but they finished with 30 passes to 29 runs. Add in four Russell Wilson sacks, and the ratio would be higher.

At the midway point of the third quarter, the Seahawks had 21 passes to 12 rushing attempts before taking a 20-0 lead and then using the run to finish out the game.

“We really did come out throwing the football in the first half,” coach Pete Carroll said.

That made sense for two reasons: The Bears entered the game ranked last in the NFL in opponent passer rating and the Seahawks were uncertain how much they would get out of tailback Marshawn Lynch with his calf injury. Lynch suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter Sunday and was limited to five carries.

Lynch was scheduled for an MRI exam this week, but there was no word Tuesday about his status for Monday night’s game.