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Detroit (1-6) at Seattle (2-5)

Light Rain Currently: Seattle, WA
Temp: 46° F
  • Game info: 4:05 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: FOX

By JEFF MEZYDLO, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 9:40 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
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As rough as things are going for the Seattle Seahawks, they’re still not as bad as the continued struggles of the Detroit Lions.

The Seahawks look to avoid a third straight loss when they host the lowly Lions on Sunday.

Two years removed from winning its fourth consecutive NFC West title, Seattle (2-5) has six wins in its last 23 games. The Seahawks’ most recent loss, 38-17 at Dallas last Sunday, again showed how far they are from becoming a serious contender.

“We are going to find out who the strong people are, and they are going to be here fighting with us until the end,” said first-year Seattle coach Jim Mora, who has put his team on notice regarding their accountability.

Mora already released third-string veteran cornerback Travis Fisher(notes) and ineffective running back Edgerrin James(notes) this week.

Despite being outscored 65-20 in losses to Dallas and Arizona after a 41-0 win over Jacksonville on Oct. 11, the Seahawks have a chance to bounce back against Detroit (1-6). The Lions have lost four in a row since snapping their 19-game losing streak with a 19-14 win over Washington on Sept. 27.

Coming off a 17-10 loss to previously winless St. Louis, the Lions have won two of their past 31 games. The last team with two victories in a 31-game stretch was the Houston Oilers during the 1982-84 seasons.

Seattle has won its last two meetings with the Lions, most recently 9-6 at Detroit on Sept. 10, 2006.

The Seahawks are expected to have quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes) starting despite missing practice time due to broken ribs.

Hasselbeck, who’s 11 completions shy of tying Dave Krieg for the most in franchise history, was 22 of 39 for 249 yards with two touchdowns against the Cowboys. He’s 46 of 58 for 417 yards with a TD in his last two games versus the Lions.

He’ll also try to get back in sync with receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes), who had words with Hasselbeck after an incompletion between the two against Dallas.

Houshmandzadeh, who signed a $40 million, five-year contract in the spring, had 92 receptions last season with Cincinnati but only 35 through seven games this season and has said repeatedly he wants the ball more.

“That’s kind of his demeanor,” Hasselbeck said of Houshmandzadeh’s fire. “There’s no issue there. The issue is, we have to complete more passes.”

While Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh have a chance to thrive against Detroit’s 27th-ranked pass defense that allows 251.9 yards per game, Seattle would also like to get its running game going.

Paced by 56 yards on 15 carries from Julius Jones(notes), Seattle managed 79 yards on the ground against the Cowboys, one week after totaling a season-low 14 versus the Cardinals. The Seahawks are averaging 88.7 rushing yards - fourth-worst in the NFL - and haven’t scored on the ground in three straight contests.

The Lions, who allowed 150 rushing yards to St. Louis, have issues on both side of the ball. Their most pressing, however, could be on offense where star receiver Calvin Johnson(notes) could miss a third straight game with a knee injury.

Detroit has scored 10 points in the two games without their biggest offensive threat who’s caught 22 passes for a team-leading 325 yards with a touchdown.

Against the Rams, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford(notes) was 14 of 33 passes for 168 yards, and didn’t complete a pass to a wide receiver until the fourth quarter.

“Calvin affects the coverages we see and everything that teams do against us, because they always have to account for him,” said first-year Lions coach Jim Schwartz, whose team ranks 25th in total offense (292.6 yards per game).

While Johnson is likely a game-time decision, so too could be running back Kevin Smith(notes). Smith’s rushed 125 times for 393 yards and three touchdowns this season, but aggravated a shoulder injury against the Rams.

While Seattle is 2-2 at home, Detroit has lost 15 straight road games since winning 16-7 at Chicago on Oct. 28, 2007.

Updated Nov 4, 9:40 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Detroit 1-8-0 4th NFC North 143 264 0-5-0 Road 0-1-0 1-7-0 0-4-0 Lost 6
Seattle 3-6-0 3rd NFC West 187 198 3-2-0 Home 1-1-0 2-5-0 1-3-0 Lost 1
NFL

77 Comments

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  1. Navy Veteran
    77. Posted by Navy Veteran Thu Nov 12 11:44am EST

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    I think that Stafford should get a new cell phone . Raoila is always texting him and talking to him, that is not good for stafford. Raoila is one of the biggest losers on the team, backus being the other, what can he say yo stafford to help him or cmfort him ? He text'es him daily he says. It's really funny as well, that raoila and backus were harringtons buddy, doing the same thing raoila is doing to stafford, then the next thing you know, everything was harringtons fault and not theirs. It's way too funny to see the same crap unraveling, and again, the two biggest losers are trying to take the heat off themselves by becomming staffords biggest fans. Let's see when all the heat is directed at them, backus and raoila, if they then turn and blame stafford for all the losses like the cowards did before.
  2. ChrisW
    76. Posted by ChrisW Wed Nov 11 10:04pm EST

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    Oh, C'Mon guys. It's true. Are we any better than the Lions just because we have 2 more wins? No. Going back to the 1992 season once again when we (Seattle) went 2-14 and had Mirer. I guess you could call him another Stafford if you want. Our inaugural season wasn't much better either!!! I think we were then 2-12, (before the 17 week season changeover.) but I'll have to look that up. Listen. The point I am making here is, we went from going 2-14 to 13-3 and making the Super Bowl in only 13 years. I was stoked when we finally went to the Super Bowl for the first time, but then slapped in the face when I realized how many Steeler fans there are. (largest fan base in the NFL!!) But the facts are facts...no Lions championships in 50 years. I don't know what else to tell you guys, other than just wait it all out when Ford leaves and you guys make a Superbowl appearance. When you do get to the Superbowl, whatever you do, DONT lose to the P#ucking Steelers!!!!
  3. Billy B
    75. Posted by Billy B Tue Nov 10 6:56pm EST

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    Bulldog

    Stafford should absolutely be expected to contribute and in no way are 5 INT's in a game excusable. Stafford should and will be held accountable, however, accountability, in the case of a 21 yrs old rookie, does not mean bench him and label him a bust.

    Given the putrid talent level around him, any reasonable prediction of Stafford's 2009 contributions have to be limited, even if he exceeded normal expectations for a rookie.

    When you commit, financially or otherwise, to a QB who, most would agree, has nothing but great things ahead, you commit not only to that future greatness but to the immediate growing pains. It never happens overnight, especially with a team as void of talent and experience as this Lions team.

    It is horrible to think that Lions fans have to be patient, but given the current direction and commitment to youth, that is the only option.

    I firmly believe the Lions made the right choice with Stafford, however, this time next year will be a true measure of his future.
  4. Navy Veteran
    74. Posted by Navy Veteran Tue Nov 10 4:42pm EST

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    Fair enough guys, but were all those QB's the number 1 pick in the draft and paid so much that it renders the team unable to do anything but play them ??? The money he got and being #1 draft pick, even the pro's say that he should be able to step in and contribute. They even say that he can throw in practice, but when it matters in games, he melts and goes to crap. Only time will tell, I agree, but I see Harrington in Stafford. I hope that I am wrong, it would be nice to see the lions gave a sh*t load of money to a guy that can play, unlike they have in the past 50 plus years. It would be great to have a real qb instead of an overpaid laughing stock player for a qb as we have had for 50 plus years now.
  5. Billy B
    73. Posted by Billy B Tue Nov 10 1:37pm EST

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    Exactly my point joonz - Aikman went 1 - 15 and looked horribly overated - but thats what 21 years old rookies do when they are pushed into the starting job - they take their lumps and learn.

    So buldog - your evaluation of him as a bust is completely off base.

    If however, Stafford is throwing 5 pics in a game at the end of next year then you can THINK about labeling him a bust. This would then mean that he is incapable of learning from his mistakes.

    He will learn Buldog - this happens to the best of all the great Quaterbacks in theri rookie season.

    Oh - even though Aikman was 1 - 15 I think he turned out just fine.
  6. Leo
    72. Posted by Leo Tue Nov 10 12:10pm EST

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    Lions rule! going 9-7 !!!
  7. Navy Veteran
    71. Posted by Navy Veteran Tue Nov 10 11:31am EST

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    #69, Billy B., watch and see what a worthless pick Stafford is...... Even when he has time to throw, it's erratic !! There was no reason for those 5 interceptions against seattle. He was not under pressure and just threw crappy balls...but that's ok ?? B.S. man.
  8. joonz
    70. Posted by joonz Tue Nov 10 9:39am EST

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    does anyone remember Troy Aikman?!
  9. Billy B
    69. Posted by Billy B Tue Nov 10 8:22am EST

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    To Bulldog

    Anybody who, after 8 career games, really believes is a long enough time frame to label ones entire career a bust, is truly an idiot of the highest degree. Stop being an idiotic nattering naybob of negativity.

    I would be willing to bet that Montana, Manning Marino and the like could all have been labeled BUSTS after 8 games using your clueless criteria.

    Grow up pal
  10. richard w
    68. Posted by richard w Tue Nov 10 7:05am EST

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    Post 65 Bulldog,
    Now tell me how you REALLY feel about Stafford !!! lol
  11. EM1 Si
    67. Posted by EM1 Si Mon Nov 9 7:16pm EST

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    Everyone is making it sound like Detroit ran up and down the field all day. Seattle threw an interception on the first throw, fumbled the next possesion, and got stuffed on 4th and 1 on their own 38. Take that away and Detroit has nothing. Seattle shot themselves in the foot.
  12. PatM
    66. Posted by PatM Mon Nov 9 5:03pm EST

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    i think when 2 bad teams go at it against each other, they both score few points. both teams showed their strength today but the seahawks are just a little better than the lions
  13. Navy Veteran
    65. Posted by Navy Veteran Mon Nov 9 1:35pm EST

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    It doesn't matter how poorly Stafford plays, the fords will tell scwartz that he is and will always be the starter. And if they didn't, scwartz would keep him in no matter how bad he plays. They think that he is a god....I say that he's a god d*m piece of sh*t. His passes were barely catchible in the game, the ones the receivers were able to haul in. That pass to calvin near the end of the game, no one could have caught that. Calvin jumped as high as he could and barely touched the ball. He's pathetic and an absolute bust. He wasn't under pressure for any of the interceptions he threw. It had nothing to do with the receivers or the offensive line, it was all Stafford. Schwartz needs to put the blame on stafford and not blame everyone else for his inability. He wasn't a first round draft pick...he should have been a late 7th round pick. He is in no way, worth the money they paid for him. Who ever evaluates these players, need to be fired...he is an absolute poor excuse for a quarterback and will always be an ignorant want to be. Just like 99% of the lions are..simple want to be's !!
    Now, for schwartz to steadily say that kevin smith is the work horse as running back, is an insult to every real running back in the nfl. He just another worthless player who is and has always been a bust since day one. Why don't the lions pick up johnson, he just got dumped by kansas city. He speaks his mind and can actually run, unlike smith. Smith is so ignorant, he constantly runs into the pile of defenders instead of running to the holes !!! Johnson has baggage, but who cares...atleast he can run, unlike smith. Johnson has run for over 1700 yards the past three years, even with suspensions, what has smith ran ?? I don't even think he has run for 1700 yards since he has been with the lions. I will never understand why the lions organization even has the ba**s to say they are rebuilding, for over 50 years, and yet, other teams can rebuild in two or get even better in one or two years. Now we are stuck with an over paid, under achieveing quarter back for years. As long as he is the starter, he will continue to play like he has. His carreer will have more interceptions then touch downs, wait and see. Going into the seattle game, he only had four touchdowns for the season...only four !! Most QB's can do that in one game !! He will always be a pathetic player..when will everyone realize that he's a bust ?? It would be nice to see him improve, but with him, there is no way of improving. He doesn't have the skill or talent. He wasn't the greatest in college, but that's as good as he will ever be..a college caliber QB. The pro's are a different game and he will never be able to rise to the degree he needs to become a half a** QB.
  14. Justin
    64. Posted by Justin Mon Nov 9 12:21pm EST

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    Toke
  15. Lind
    63. Posted by Lind Mon Nov 9 12:08pm EST

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    Lions rule the NFL!!!!! Lions are a dynasty.
  16. Alex
    62. Posted by Alex Mon Nov 9 10:43am EST

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    Wow.... i watched this game and i thought that the lions might actually have a chance since you have two of the worst teams in the league... i guess Matt Stafford wasn't quite as good of an investment as everyone thought.
  17. <i>thekohlers@...</i>
    61. Posted by thekohlers@... Mon Nov 9 10:38am EST

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    I agree with Vinny. The problem with the Lions starts at the top. William Clay Ford!!! They used to win back in the 50's and 60's then Mr. Ford took over. Here is what Wikipedia has to say.

    "Ford became the sole owner of the Detroit Lions in 1964, purchasing the franchise for $4.5 million from Dick Richards.[4] Over the last 45 years the franchise has fared miserably, which is particularly disappointing when contrasted with the success the team enjoyed during the 1950s.[5] The Lions were one of the most illustrious teams of the 1950s, winning championships in 1952, 1953 and 1957. However, the Lions have won only a single playoff game during the Ford era, and have never reached the Super Bowl.[6] The Detroit Lions moved from their old home, the Pontiac Silverdome and began play at Ford Field in downtown Detroit in 2002.[7] The 2008 Detroit Lions became the only team in NFL history to endure a winless season since the league expanded the regular season to 16 contests. During Ford's 45 years as owner of the Lions, the team has lost 395 games and has had only 13 winning seasons. "
  18. Ted L
    60. Posted by Ted L Mon Nov 9 9:54am EST

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    WOW. Did Stafford show why he should not be the starter this year. The Lions can never play a whole game they looked OK in the first half but showed why they only have one win , But you know what really gets to me is when Seattle would make a good play the player would get up and act like a jerk by trash talking and acting like they had just won the Superbowl when they only made a 4 yard catch, What the hell you only beat the Lions and then act like that now I know why Kids act like this we see it from people who are supposed to be pros , Seattle you beat the Lions a team who has only 2 wins in 30 some games boy way to show us . Now to Calvin Johnson you SUCK you drop pass after pass and act like T.O . like you had nothing to do with the drop , I have said this for weeks step up and play like everyone talks about after practice. Calvin made a great catch in practice today Calvin broke ten tackles today in practice DO IT IN THE GAME .
  19. Navy Veteran
    59. Posted by Navy Veteran Mon Nov 9 9:22am EST

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    I am going to stand by what I said before the draft, Stafford is not and was not, worth being the # 1 pick in the draft. The Lions should have swapped with the second pick, and if they really wanted stafford, then they could have gotten him for millions less. But for me, they didn't need a quarterback, they needed the most help on offense and defensive line. The lions should not be allowed in the nfl. They should really be black-balled from being in sports for ever. If they remain, then the nfl should take control of the team, then all the fans would see that it doesn't take 50 plus years to rebuild a team.....that's all B.S. what they continue to say about rebuilding. How long are all the fans believing their garbage year in and year out ? Why would anyone buy a ticket to a game ? All that you are doing is telling the fords that it doesn't matter what trash they put on the field and call a team, that you approve of what they are doing. It isn't because you hope they are any better, the 50 plus years of history shows you that they don't care. They have constantly wasted draft picks and continue to do so. The biggest waste..you got it, STAFFORD !!! Just like the pro's say, "if you are a number one pick, you are ready to go to a team and play". Not go on a team and make it worse and then say I am learning. My belief, is that he was put in the number one spot, because everyone knew that the lions were going for a quarterback and they had first pick....it was a conspiracy :) All the votes went to stafford for #1 by all the teams that wanted the worthless lions to take the garbage off the board so that they can really pick the worth while players and not pay top dollar.
    Then, you have schwartz, that useless piece of sh*t excuse for a coach. Saying that it wasn't staffords fault for throwing 5 picks was pathetic...it was all staffords fault. He was never under pressure and was only showing us what he was really all about..a worthless pick being paid millions. I think that we should all get a pettition going to ban the lions fron the nfl. Maybe then, we could get a real football team in michigan. We could get an expansion team together this year and still kick the day light out of these piece of sh*t lions. They will continue to keep worthless players, back-us -up backus, and I -fold -like- ravioli raoila, I - can't - hit - the - hole - smith, and I - can -only - throw- interceptions Stafford. But with stafford, he is way overpaid and we will be stuck with a piece of sh*t quarterback for years to come again... Stanton should leave the lions and go to a real football team, he is way better then all the qb's the lions have. I see him and calvin leaving the lions when their contracts are up. Calvin was discusted with the worthless stafford. All these other rookie quarterbacks, taken way down the draft, are throwing up embarrassing numbers compared to stafford...and no less, WINS !! So stafford has turned out to be a bust, he will always be just a college quarterback and will never reach the ability of a pro qb. What's really funny, all these other nfl teams can turn around in a couple years, but the lions can't turn it around in over 50 years..you talk about pathetic and ignorance, dam. The lions will always be the bottom feeding scum they are today.
  20. ChrisW
    58. Posted by ChrisW Mon Nov 9 8:19am EST

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    Wow...wow...WOW!!! Everyone here seems to be REALLY disappointed with the Lions! Of course I understand why!! Their QB in particular!!! This is EXACTLY why I don't like to talk trash, ESPECIALLY after what Jerramy Stevens said before the Super Bowl. That's history now. But I got nothing to do with the Lions!! It was not by my hand that the NFC North teams play us this year. It doesn't matter who we play, I'm still with the Hawks. Even if we do have another terrible season...we are 3 and 5 today, better than 2 and 14 by a long shot!!!

    Now we have to go play those damn chickenhawks again next week....let's see another W!! We should humiliate them (as in, a final score of 34-3) because they didn't win the Superbowl last year. Ha ha ha!!
  21. Sam
    57. Posted by Sam Mon Nov 9 8:19am EST

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    I do not think they will win another game this season. Go Dallas
  22. Vinny
    56. Posted by Vinny Mon Nov 9 6:21am EST

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    Zelmo: The Lions made stupid picks before Millen got here. They made stupid picks while he was here. They'll continue to make stupid picks now that he's gone. It wasn't Millen. It's the stupid senile owner that makes the picks. Take off the blinders and look at history. We'll end up with a top 3-4 pick next year but Ford will blow it on something we don't need. Maybe another WR, he seems to like them.
  23. richard w
    55. Posted by richard w Mon Nov 9 6:14am EST

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    Just as I predicted !!!!....Lions quit playing in the 2nd half,...like they do in most games !!.....I mean, WTF !!....17 points in the 1st qtr,....then 3 pts the rest of the game ???,.....then we come to our pitiful. pathelic, POS defense !!...I would $hit can everyone,...and anyone associated with our defense,...including most of the players !!...people say that we're making strides !...I say,..BS !!....we look as bad,..if not worse than last year !!...the same problems we had last year, are the same ones we have this year. We DON'T know how to tackle,....can't catch a pass,...can't block,...but we are pretty good at taking penalties. No guts, no character, no will to win on this team. After being a loyal fan for over 50 years,...I'm ashamed to call myself a Lions fan, sell the team,..move the team,..do something other than putting that garbage on the field every week !!!...I'm sooooo disgusted and fed up with this poor excuse of a so called NFL franchise !!
  24. Eric the Above Average
    54. Posted by Eric the Above Average Mon Nov 9 5:37am EST

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    Wow, Joey Harrington looked bad. Oh wait, that was Matthew Stafford, wasn't it? Oh well, same thing. It doesn't take long for the Lions to ruin a pretty good quarterback. Good thing Stafford got all that guaranteed money because once the Lions are through with him, he won't be picked up by anyone else.
  25. J S
    53. Posted by J S Mon Nov 9 5:08am EST

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    48 K dawg....the only plausible D back maybe worth taking if your Detroit is that kid out of of Tennessee...Eric Barry (Berry?)....but maybe thats a stretch to.....however I think our teams are just cursed in this state...yikes...

    That huge nose tackle out of Alabama might be a good pick....of course...when your the lions and you need help most places...what doesn't seem like a good pick
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