RENTON – The star appeal of the Seattle Seahawks’ nationally televised game tonight against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles has lost some of its luster since the schedule was announced in April.
Philadelphia’s main attraction, quarterback Michael Vick, will not play tonight, missing his third consecutive game because of fractured ribs.
Instead, understudy Vince Young will get the nod after throwing for 400 yards against New England in a 38-20 loss Sunday.
The Eagles also will be without leading receiver Jeremy Maclin, who’s out with shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Even electric running back LeSean McCoy and shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha are questionable with a toe and knee injuries, respectively, but both are expected to play.
The Eagles (4-7), the self-titled “Dream Team,” were supposed to be Super Bowl contenders, but the defending NFC East champs very likely will not even make the playoffs after making a major splash in free agency.
The Eagles have lost eight of their past nine games at home.
Andy Reid, the longest-tenured coach in the league with 13 seasons in Philadelphia, has been showered with boos from the hometown fans and shouts of “Fire Andy.”
He’s had to deal with assistant coaches fighting on the sideline and his best receiver, DeSean Jackson, sulking over the lack of a lucrative contract.
The lack of continuity for the Eagles, who have lost five games in which they held a fourth-quarter lead, might be explained as a result of no offseason because of the NFL lockout.
“If you look back to our games there were maybe two games that we lost by more than six points, or something like that, and that just comes down to finishing,” Asomugha said. “We’re a 4-7 team that could easily be looking at 9-2 right now, or 8-3 if we would just finish in those last few minutes of the game and hold off the other team.”
Reid thinks there’s still time to salvage the season.
“I’m not into the frustration part,” he said. “I think as players and coaches, you’re problem-solvers, and so we’ve got to take care of business and get better. So that’s the thing that you can control and continue to work fundamentals and techniques and schemes and get better as a coach and as a player.”
Seattle coach Pete Carroll understands his team will have its hands full, with or without Vick on the field.
McCoy leads the league in rushing with 1,015 yards and 11 TDs. The Eagles are third in the league in total offense, totaling 421 yards a contest. And Philadelphia has five receivers with at least 38 receptions – Seattle’s leading receiver is Doug Baldwin with 37.
“We’re playing a team that has so much firepower and they’re such an explosive team,” Carroll said. “It doesn’t matter who is playing quarterback in terms of how many yards they can put up and the style of offense – they’re wide open.
“McCoy is a terrific runner. He’s as dangerous as anybody we’ll see all season and they can build the whole day around him. That’s a big deal for us. They’re rushing for almost 160 yards a game and they’re a good third-down team. They’re just a very, very good team. They’re really active on defense and very fast.
“Regardless of what schedules have allowed here, along with the records, we see this as a difficult matchup and an exciting one.
“This is a team that everybody knows and regards highly in terms of their players and who’s on it and all of that, so we take this with a great opportunity and hopefully with a great sense of urgency so that we can play a good football game.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
PHILADELPHIA (4-7) AT SEATTLE (4-7)
KICKOFF: 5:20 p.m., CenturyLink Field
TV: Ch. 10/22, NFL Net. RADIO: 710-AM, 1240-AM, 1030-AM, 97.3-FM
THE SERIES: The Eagles hold a 7-5 advantage, and have won three of the past five meetings – including the last one, 26-7 on Nov. 2, 2008 at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks are 33-25 in nationally televised games, and are 1-4 on games played on Thursday.
WHAT TO WATCH: Seattle linebacker David Hawthorne (knee) and cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) will be game-time decisions. Cornerback Byron Maxwell (illness) has been ruled out. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) and defensive tackle Alan Branch (ankle) are probable. … Former Seahawks defensive ends Jason Babin and Darryl Tapp and fullback Owen Schmitt return to play against Seattle for the first time. Babin is fifth in the league in sacks with 10. … Although Philadelphia has one of the most explosive offenses in the league, the Eagles do turn the ball over, with a minus-nine turnover differential and 25 turnovers, tied with Washington for most in the league. … Philadelphia’s first-round pick, guard Danny Watkins, has a homecoming of sorts. The former Baylor player and ex-firefighter grew up in Kelowona, B.C., about 230 miles northeast of Tacoma.
THE PICK: Seahawks, 30-27
PRIME NUMBERS
seattle
No. player (POS.) HEIGHTWEIGHTEXP
17Mike Williams (WR)6-5235Fifth
With Sidney Rice done for the season, USC product needs to become the team’s go-to receiver and make up for some costly drops last week.
39Brandon Browner (CB)6-4221First
CFL product needs to cut down on the penalties but continue to play physical on the perimeter.
56Leroy Hill (LB)6-1238Seventh
Playing against one of the best backs in the business, Hawks need a solid tackling effort from the veteran linebacker..
86Zach Miller (WR)6-5235Fifth
The free agent pickup out of Oakland has been a solid blocker, but could get involved in the pass game against green Eagles LBs.
philadelphia
No. PLAYER (POS) HEIGHTWEIGHTEXP
9Vince Young (QB)6-5232Sixth
Not the prettiest passer, but he knows how to lead a team and will keep the chains moving.
24Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)6-2210Ninth
Eagles are moving the former Oakland Raider all over the field to try to take advantage of his elite pass covering skills.
25LeSean McCoy (RB)5-11208Third
One of the quickest backs in the league, and also a great pass catcher out of the backfield, with 38 receptions on the year.
93Jason Babin (DE)6-3267Eighth
One of the best pass rushers in the league, but he does have trouble stopping the run.
Eric D. Williams, staff writer
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