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SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The
Seattle Seahawks
finished two games behind the St. Louis Rams in the NFC West last season.
But with a victory over the Rams on Sunday at Qwest Field, the Seahawks will take complete control of the division.
Looking for their first 4-0 start in club history, the Seahawks would have a three-game lead in the division if they could win this contest.
Seattle also won its first three games last season before finishing with a 10-6 mark.
Coming off their bye, the Seahawks' defense has been the major reason for the impressive start. They lead the league in total defense (242.3 yard per game) and fewest points allowed (4.3).
The Seahawks are attempting to become the first team since the 2000 record-breaking
Baltimore Ravens
to hold an opponent to seven points or fewer in four straight games.
One of the reasons for the Seahawks' defensive improvement was the signing of defensive end
Grant Wistrom
, who registered 41 1/2 sacks in six seasons with the Rams before he inked a six-year, $33 million deal with Seattle.
Two weeks ago, the Seahawks became the first team since 1977 to shut out the San Francisco 49ers in a 34-0 rout. They forced four turnovers in the victory.
Shaun Alexander
rushed for two touchdowns and also had a TD reception for a score. He has six touchdowns this season.
The Seahawks have won 10 straight home games since a loss to Philadelphia on December 8, 2002.
Seattle's defense will get its stiffest test of the season against the Rams, who still possess one of the game's most explosive offenses.
Marshall Faulk
rushed for 121 yards and
Isaac Bruce
had seven catches for 100 yards in last week's 24-14 victory at San Francisco. Bruce has at least 100 yards receiving in all four contests and leads the league with 32 catches for 448 yards.
Facing the Seahawks' aggressive defense, the Rams will need a mistake-free game from
Marc Bulger
, who threw 22 interceptions last season. Bulger has two interceptions through four games this season.
The teams split two meetings last season, with each winning at home.
In last year's contest here,
Matt Hasselbeck
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to
Koren Robinson
with 60 seconds remaining to give the Seahawks a 24-23 victory.
But in December, the Rams clinched their third NFC West title in five seasons with a 27-22 victory over the Seahawks. Bulger threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns and Faulk added 85 yards rushing and a score
Matchup to watch: Wistrom against perennial Pro Bowl left tackle
Orlando Pace
.
Series: St. Louis leads, 7-4.
Next week: St. Louis hosts Tampa Bay, October 18 Seattle visits New England, October 17
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