Hawks running game hitting stride

ATLANTA — Shaun Alexander joined an exclusive NFL club Sunday. He just doesn't know who is in it with him.

"I've never seen [the list]," Alexander insisted after becoming only the eighth player with 100 rushing touchdowns.

The Seahawks' running back definitely should take a glance. With names like Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Walter Payton and Jim Brown, it's certainly impressive.

Alexander reached the milestone with a 2-yard blast in the first quarter for the Seahawks' first touchdown in a 44-41 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

There weren't a lot of Seattle highlights in the final regular-season game, but at least there was No. 100 for Alexander and the team's second consecutive successful game running the football.

It has been a struggle this season for Alexander and the Seahawks' ground game. Maybe things are starting to come around, however.

"I think it's us finally getting healthy," Alexander said.

The Seahawks rushed for a season-best 167 yards against the Falcons, bettering the 144 yards they gained last week in a victory over Baltimore.

"Don't put it all on the backs," right tackle Sean Locklear said. "As a line, we needed to do a better job and I think we are now. We'd been missing a block here and there."

"If there was a positive to come out of this game, I think it was that we ran the ball well again," right guard Chris Gray said. "That definitely is encouraging going into the playoffs."

Alexander turned over the playing time to Maurice Morris in the second half and the former Oregon player had a 29-yard touchdown run en route to 91 yards on 13 carries.

"Maurice ran well," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said.

"It always feels good to break a touchdown," Morris said. "We were able to run the ball better the last few games and the line should get the credit for that. They blocked great and it's our job to get the yards when the holes are there."

Alexander, suffering through his second consecutive injury-plagued season, had one rushing touchdown since the second game of the season and at first it looked like this might be another unproductive day.

The five-time 1,000-yard rusher headed to the sideline holding his right side after his first carry. Was Alexander hurt again?

"He got some ribs [nicked]," Holmgren said.

Alexander didn't want to be specific about where he felt sore, calling it "just football." But he showed quickly that he was OK.

Soon after returning, Alexander had a 15-yard run to set up his touchdown.

"I think we ran the ball a little bit better," said Alexander, who had 31 yards on eight carries in limited duty.

In addition to getting his 100th rushing touchdown, the former league most valuable player passed Earl Campbell to move into 24th place on the career yardage list.

Alexander took the ball to the bench for safe keeping, just as he had 99 previous times.

Now, Alexander is ready to look ahead to the playoffs and he can do that feeling a little more positive.

"You have to run the ball well to win in the playoffs," Gray said. "I think we'll be able to do that if everyone can stay healthy. Not just Shaun, but everybody."