(Sports Network) – Seattle’s 30th-ranked offense did next to nothing versus the Raiders, with the running back tandem of Marshawn Lynch (304 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Justin Forsett (334 rushing yards, 1 TD) combining for just 18 yards on 14 carries. Despite his injury, Matt Hasselbeck (1411 passing yards, 6 TD, 7 INT) played most of the game and threw for 160 yards on 13-of-32 passing. However, he wasn’t cleared to play this week and will give way to Charlie Whitehurst, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. He’s going to need better protection after Hasselbeck was dragged down eight times versus Oakland. Coach Pete Carroll hopes left tackle Russell Okung can return this week, given that backup Tyler Polumbus is also ailing. The Seahawks would prefer that Chester Pitts replace Hamilton at left guard, but he’ll slide to the tackle spot if Okung and Polumbus can’t go. That would leave third- stringer Mike Gibson as the starter at left guard. Williams (33 receptions, 1 TD) could play this weekend despite his injury, but made just one catch last week. With all the injuries, tight end John Carlson (20 receptions, 1 TD) and wideout Deon Butler (16 receptions, 2 TD) could be in for bigger roles.
Though the Cowboys put up 35 points on the Giants back in Week 7, the defense wasn’t at total fault. Seven points came on a punt return for a touchdown, while Dallas picked up two meaningless touchdown passes with under five minutes to play. The Giants, who are second in the league in total defense (263.3 ypg), third against the rush (85.4 ypg) and second against the pass (177.9 ypg), held Dallas to just 41 yards on the ground and picked up three sacks. Linebacker Michael Boley (42 tackles, 1 sack), former Seattle safety Deon Grant (26 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT) and defensive tackle Barry Cofield (30 tackles, 3 sacks) had one each, while cornerback Terrell Thomas (39 tackles, 2 INT) and safety Antrel Rolle (43 tackles, 1 INT) had six tackles apiece. Though he didn’t get to the quarterback versus Dallas, defensive end Osi Umenyiora (18 tackles, 8 sacks) has seven sacks and six forced fumbles in his past four games. Fellow end Justin Tuck (37 tackles, 4 sacks) has four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries over his last four games. New York officially lost end Mathias Kiwanuka (11 tackles, 4 sacks) for the season when they placed him on injured reserve last Thursday. He hadn’t played since Sept. 26.