The Seattle Seahawks had been hoping that a dreadful 2008 campaign was merely a momentary stumble for a franchise that had dominated the NFC's West Division for the better part of this decade. However, a 2-5 start and four double-digit losses in the first seven games of this season have made it increasingly evident that the team has much work to do in order to return to the level fans along the Puget Sound had grown accustomed to during the Mike Holmgren era.
Seattle's latest non-competitive effort came this past Sunday in Texas, where the injury-plagued squad was overmatched by the resurgent Dallas Cowboys in a 38-17 setback. Two weeks earlier, the Seahawks mustered a substandard 128 total yards in a 27-3 home defeat to fellow division member Arizona.
The offense performed better against the Cowboys, putting together two long scoring drives on its first three possessions to bring Seattle within 14-10 early in the second quarter. However, the unit struggled to move the ball consistently from that point on, with the Seahawks' only other touchdown set up by a sack and fumble of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo at the Cowboys' eight- yard line.
"We put two weeks into this game plan, I felt like we were ready," said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in reference to the Seahawks' recent bye week. "We just didn't get it done. I feel physically drained, emotionally drained. I'm frustrated. We're all searching for answers.
Seattle ranks just 22nd in the NFL in total offense and 29th overall in rushing yards, having averaged a meager 88.7 yards per game on the ground. Top running back Julius Jones has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry over the past four games working behind a suspect offensive line that's had all sorts of trouble staying healthy.
A defense minus standout middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu also had its woes on Sunday, with Romo throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns without experiencing significant pressure.
The Seahawks did receive a very strong game out of Tatupu's stand-in, David Hawthorne, however. The second-year pro and Dallas-area native racked up eight tackles and both of the team's sacks of Romo in his second career NFL start.
QUICK HITS: Tatupu was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Friday after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectorals muscle. Perennial All-Pro offensive tackle Walter Jones landed on IR two days earlier due to complications from offseason knee surgery...Cornerback Marcus Trufant, sidelined since training camp with an ailing back, saw his first action of 2009 on Sunday and recorded four tackles...Outside linebacker Leroy Hill had five stops in his first game back from a groin tear suffered in the season opener...Hasselbeck finished with 249 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-39 passing.
NEXT UP: Seattle will attempt to get back on track when the lowly Detroit Lions pay a visit to Qwest Field this Sunday, the Seahawks' only home game in November. The Lions have lost 23 of their last 24 contests and haven't won on the road since a 16-7 decision at Chicago in Week 8 of the 2007 season.
ST. LOUIS: The St. Louis Rams began their bye week on Monday, which will allow the club some extra time to savor a long-awaited first win under rookie head coach Steve Spagnuolo.
The Rams managed to end a franchise-worst 17-game losing streak with Sunday's 17-10 decision over Detroit at Ford Field, combining the powerful running of star back Steven Jackson with a little ingenuity on special teams to finally get over the hump.
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