Seahawks stifled by tough Cowboys team, fall 30-23 on home turf

SEATTLE – The Seahawks failed to overcome a slow offensive performance and timely completions by Tony Romo Sunday at CenturyLink Field, falling to the Dallas Cowboys 30-23.

Despite three crucial turnovers that went the Hawks’ way, the Cowboys defense held the Hawks to just over 200 yards of total offense, giving Russell Wilson and the Seahawks their first home loss since last year as the team falls to 3-2 on the season.

The Hawks also couldn’t hold Cowboys Runningback Demarco Murray, as he rushed for more than 100 yards for his sixth straight game, dicing up the Seahawks bruised secondary at every chance.

The loss at CenturyLink Field was only the team's second loss at home since Wilson took his position behind Center for the Hawks in 2012.

In a game that seemed so certain early, the tide turned quickly.

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The Hawks went up 3-0 early following a 33-yard field goal from Steven Hauschka with 10:06 in the First Quarter. Then, the Seahawks Special Teams blocked a punt on Dallas' 25, recovered by Mike Morgan for a touchdown, putting the Hawks up 10-0 with 7:13 in the first quarter. With the Hawks at home and the Legion of 12s behind them, one could easily the outcome of the game leaned in the Hawks' favor.

But it wasn't to be.

The Hawks offense never seemed to get off the ground. Despite two timely fumble recoveries -- one on a muffed punt to give the Seahawks the ball on the Cowboys 14 and the other a Tony Romo fumble in Dallas territory -- the Hawks struggled to put together any solid drives. The team was held to 206 yards of total offense, including 80 yards rushing.

Wilson, coming off perhaps the best game of his career, never found a rhythm behind a patchwork offensive line. He ended the game 14-for-28 with 126 yards passing, not touchdowns and 1 interception. Take out a 53-yard pass to Jermaine Kearse, and Wilson passed the ball for just 73 yards.

Tony Romo, on the other hand, looked comfortable in the pocket and underneath the bright light of CenturyLink Field, going 21-for-32 with 250 yards and two touchdowns. Three times Romo led the field down the field for 80 yards drives capped in touchdowns.

And the much talked about DeMarco Murray was everything he was billed, rushing the ball for 115 yards on 29 carries. Marshawn Lynch was held to a pedestrian 10 carries for 61 yards.

Once again, the Hawks were held back by offensive line penalties, with Russell Okung marking up two more false starts for six on the season. The team recorded nine penalties for 58 yards.

Pete Carroll said the team needs to improve on all fronts following the game.

"This was across the board," Carroll said. "We did not play very well. I didn't prepare them well."

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Injuries plagued the Seahawks defense, prompting questions for the weeks ahead. Linebacker Bobby Wagner left the game with a foot injury in the 1st Quarter, but returned in the 3rd. Byron Maxwell injured his ankle in the 2nd Quarter, and was carted of the field. He did not return, and the extent of his injury is not yet known, though early reports hint at a high-ankle sprain.

The Seahawks have their work cut out for them as the Arizona Cardinals won against Washington Sunday, giving the NFC West rival a division lead with a record of 4-1 on the season.

The Seahawks head to St. Louis next week to face the 1-3 Rams. That game will be broadcast on Q13 FOX at 10 a.m. Sunday.