Capsule Preview | Seattle vs. Tampa Bay at Qwest Field, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 13

Last game

Seahawks: The Seahawks defeated the Oakland Raiders 19-14 in both teams' exhibition finale on Aug. 30, and Seattle finished 3-1 in exhibition play. Seattle lost DT Marcus Tubbs to a season-ending knee injury. The Seahawks came back from being down 7-3 and 14-12 to win at Qwest Field. Defensive end Darryl Tapp tackled Oakland's Dominic Rhodes in the end zone for a safety. Rookie safety C.J. Wallace, playing against the team he rooted for as a youngster, intercepted a pass and led the team in tackles in the last game before roster cuts and eventually made the final roster.

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay defeated the Houston Texans 31-24 in its exhibition finale Aug. 30 and ended the exhibition season 3-1. The winning touchdown came with three minutes left in the game, as backup QB Bruce Gradkowksi hit WR Parris Warren for a 31-yard score. Warren was lost for the season on the play when he injured an ankle. The Bucs were the Seahawks' last regular-season opponent of 2006, a game Seattle won in Florida 23-7 thanks to a 15-minute advantage in possession time and 28 Seahawks first downs.

Notable

Seahawks: Former Tampa Bay DT Ellis Wyms signed with the Seahawks earlier this week after being released by the Bucs. ... The Seahawks are 10-21 in Week 1 games and are 3-10 at home on opening day. They have scored 30 or more points in three Week 1 games but have allowed that many points eight times. ... This is just the second time this decade that the Seahawks open at home. The first time was 2003. ... The Seahawks are 27-6 at Qwest Field since the last game of the 2002 season, their .818 winning percentage second best in the NFL in that span. ... Seattle is the only NFC team with a winning record in each of the past four seasons. ... LB Julian Peterson led the Seahawks with 10 sacks in 2006. No Tampa Bay player had more than five. ... Seahawks president and GM Tim Ruskell worked in the Bucs' organization from 1987 to 2003 as regional scout, director of college scouting and director of player personnel. ... Seahawks VP of player personnel Ruston Webster spent 19 years in the Tampa Bay organization before joining Ruskell in Seattle this offseason. ... Seahawks VP of football administration John Idzik also got his start with Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay was 4-12 last season. ... The Bucs are 5-5 in their past 10 season openers, 8-9 in road openers in their history. ... The Bucs are 1-6 all-time against the Seahawks, with the win coming in 1999 at the Kingdome (16-3). ... WR Joey Galloway spent 1995-99 with the Seahawks. ... Former Seahawks special-teams coach Bob Casullo is the Bucs' tight-ends coach. ... Seahawks TE Will Heller broke into the NFL as an undrafted rookie with Tampa Bay in 2003.

Injury report

Seahawks: WR Ben Obomanu (hamstring) is doubtful.

Buccaneers: DE Patrick Chukwurah (knee) is out.

Key questions entering today's game

What is the biggest concern for the Seahawks? The Seahawks have to stay healthy. Injuries and lack of depth were the biggest reasons they lost games last season, along with a defense that was porous at times. There isn't much quality depth or experience on the offensive line if a starter gets hurt. The team is only two-deep at cornerback, and rookie Josh Wilson could be a liability in trying to tackle bigger and more physical receivers after the catch. Lastly, the new players have to show they have picked up the schemes and sets on offense and defense and can execute them like someone who has played for Holmgren for years.

Key matchups for the game include? Bucs RDE Gaines Adams vs. Seahawks LT Walter Jones: The rookie first-round pick gets his NFL baptism against the Seahawks' star left tackle. Bucs RT Jeremy Trueblood vs. Seahawks LDE Patrick Kerney: It's Kerney's first chance to show how big a difference he can make in the Seahawks' pass rush. Bucs CB Ronde Barber vs. Seahawks WR Deion Branch: Tampa's four-time Pro Bowler tries to shut down a former Super Bowl MVP.

What happens if the Seahawks lose? It's not the end of the season by any means, but a loss at home where they have a distinct advantage would be a blow. That said, this is not the Tampa Bay team the Seahawks overwhelmed at the end of last season. Jeff Garcia is the new quarterback, and he brings a winning and tough attitude to the position at age 37. The Bucs defense is loaded with experience and plays with pride. But this is a game most would circle on the schedule as a win.

Who are the key newcomers for Tampa Bay? DL Kevin Carter, a two-time Pro Bowler, was signed from Miami to provide pass-rush help. LT Luke Petitgout, who had five false starts for the New York Giants at Seattle in 2005, is a starter. Cato June from the Super Bowl-champion Colts is a starter at OLB. WR David Boston was out of football in 2006, and DT Ryan Sims was picked up in a trade with Kansas City to add depth. The biggest addition is Garcia, brought in after leading Philadelphia to the NFC East title last season. He's a difference-maker.

José Miguel Romero