Seahawks win tough game against Raiders 30 - 24

SEATTLE -- It was another tough game to watch, but the Seahawks’ defense helped Seattle defeat the Oakland Raiders Sunday afternoon at CenturyLink Field.

There were some positives. We saw running back Marshawn Lynch get the ball often. He scored two touchdowns in the game.

But penalties hurt -- two long runs by Lynch, 20 and 43-yards, were called back.

And injuries continued to plague the Seahawks – seven of their starters did not play.

Hawks hit the ground running

In the first drive of the game, the Hawks held the Raiders to a field goal. Those were the only points the Raiders pegged in the first half (missed field goal late in the 2nd quarter).

The Hawks scored early and often in the first half. A pass interference call against Oakland gave the Seahawks the ball at the Raiders 6-yard line. And the Hawks capitalized, Lynch ran up the middle for a touchdown.

Turnover, turnover, turnover

Oakland had three turnovers in a row in the first half.

Seahawks’ Bruce Irvin had a pick six on a pass intended for James Jones. He ran 35-yards to give the Hawks a 14 – 3 lead.

On the next drive, Richard Sherman got his first pick of the season – and a 22-yard gain. Steven Hauschka went on to boot a 34-yard field goal.

Hauschka wasn’t done yet.

After the field goal, he kicked the ball 67-yards and, in a bizarre twist, caught the ball after a Raiders fumble during the return.

Unfortunately, the Hawks offense couldn’t move the ball. They called in Hauschka to attempt the 46-yard field goal – which was no good, wide left.

It’s not over until…

The Raiders started to inch their way back. It was all Oakland in the 3rd quarter.

Raiders’ Brice Butler blocked a punt and it was recovered in the end zone for a quick TD. That made it 24 – 10.

Later in the 3rd, the Raiders started with great field position after a 39-yard punt and a 27-yard return.

Earl Thomas held James Jones at the 1-yard line on 3rd down in an impressive defensive play. The Raiders went for it on 4th down, and QB Derek Carr found Mychal Rivera in the back on the end zone. Raiders trailed by just one touchdown.

…it’s over

The Hawks made it to the 10-yard line on their next drive, but the offense couldn’t convert. Hauschka kicked a 30-yard field goal to give the Hawks a ten-point lead, 27 - 17.

Seattle would later boot a 41-yard field goal to extend their lead to 13.

But, the Raiders weren’t giving up. They moved the ball 64-yards and scored a touchdown on a one-yard pass from Derek Carr to Mychal Rivera (2nd time this game).

Hawks led by 6 with just under two minutes to play.

The Raiders tried an on-side kick, Hawks’ Cooper Helfet mishandled the ball, but Jermaine Kearse fell on the loose ball for the Seahawks. Oakland had no timeouts and Seattle ran out the clock.