SEATTLE — Few positions have been immune to the injuries that have plagued the Seattle Seahawks.
But the Seahawks offensive line is starting to get healthy. And the antidote to the team’s inconsistency on offense might be the return of Max Unger.
The Pro Bowl center missed the past four games with a foot injury. His return Sunday coincided with the Seahawks’ best ever rushing performance.
Coincidence? Doug Baldwin doesn’t think so.
“He’s our leader in the trenches,” the receiver said. “He gets everyone organized. He even gets Russell (Wilson) organized sometimes. It was amazing to have him back in there because our communication was a lot smoother.”
Unger said he’ll probably nit-pick the offensive line once he watches tape of Sunday’s game. But he was willing to bask in Sunday’s 350-yard rushing performance.
“To set a franchise record is huge,” Unger said. “I don’t know if I have any other franchise records. You know how much we take pride in running the ball. This is huge for us.”
Here’s a tip
The Seahawks had deja vu late in the third quarter.
That’s when Richard Sherman’s defense forced Odell Beckham to tip a pass in the end zone to Earl Thomas for an interception.
A tie game at the time of the interception, Seattle outscored the Giants 21-0 from there on.
It was Manning’s first interception in five games, but the throw into double-coverage during a close game did not please coach Tom Coughlin.
“I’m sure that ‘ill-advised’ could be the phrase you could use,” he said.
The play was similar to last year’s game against the Giants, when Sherman tipped a ball to Thomas. It also took place in the same spot as Sherman’s tip to Malcom Smith in last season’s NFC Championship.
“It’s crazy that it happened against the same team with the exact same two people,” Thomas said. “It just shows how strong me and Sherm have that connection.”
Quick kicks
The CenturyLink Field crowd got a surprise up-close look at Taima during pregame warmups. The live hawk mascot flew into the lower level and perched on a fan’s head and shoulder. The bird remained there for a minute before being returned to its handler. … Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, the Seahawks best run-stopper, left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. … Tight end Luke Willson injured his ankle in the second quarter and did not return.
