A week and a half ago, the Seattle Seahawks were sitting pretty with a 3-0 record and a two-game lead in the NFC West. That could all be undone by the time Thursday night's game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers is over. The Seahawks (3-2) have lost two straight, including a 29-20 decision Sunday against the visiting New York Giants.
A defeat Thursday would drop them into a first-place tie with the 49ers (2-3). "We've got a quick turnaround. Tough opponent Thursday night.
Divisional opponent. It means everything to us," said Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who leads the NFL in completions (143), pass attempts (199) and passing yards (1,466). "This is a big game.
It's about as big of a game we've had this season. We better be ready." Seattle nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 2:09 against the Giants, but Jason Myers' potential tying 47-yard field-goal attempt with about one minute left was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
"Seems like when the game's on the line, we find ways to get things done," Smith said. "But that's got to be our mentality throughout the entire game. We can't wait until the end of the game to try and save it.
" The Seahawks will look to establish the running game after Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for just seven carries against the Giants. Seattle has thrown on a league-high 67.4 percent of its plays.
"We all know we need to run the ball more," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "Everybody knows that, our opp.
