Seahawks vs. Jets Preview

Key questions

1What makes this regular-season home finale unique? It's the Qwest Field swan song for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who has said he's taking time off from coaching next season and won't return to the team. Tributes to the coach who guided Seattle to five division titles (one AFC West championship) in his 10 seasons here should start before the game, and Holmgren said he plans after the game to walk around the stadium and thank the fans for their support. This game could also mark the end of Seahawks tenures for some assistant coaches on Holmgren's staff.

2 What happened when Brett Favre last faced Holmgren? The Seahawks lost 42-20 at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Here's Holmgren's take: "We couldn't stop the run. That was the biggest [thing]. We jumped out 14-0, and then the heavens opened up, and that in and of itself, for the type of defense we had and the type of offense they had and what they wanted to do, that was probably the worst thing that could've happened. And the things we like to do offensively in the passing game, the little things where I thought we might have a little advantage, we couldn't get that going either."

3 Which was Holmgren's favorite game at Qwest Field? He said the Carolina game (the NFC title game of the 2005 season), but there are other memorable ones. There's the wins over Washington in the playoffs and these, Holmgren said: "The Dallas game with [Jordan] Babineaux intercepting the ball. The Dallas [playoff] game when [Tony] Romo dropped the PAT [it was actually a missed field goal]. I just think I will always remember the stadium. This place. Qwest Field. I think it's a remarkable place to compete in and to play professional football. I think of last week, how quiet it was [in St. Louis]. I mean, my goodness. And then the week before, we're playing New England, and our record is bad, and if someone were to just walk in off the street, they wouldn't have known any of that stuff." Holmgren called a game at Qwest "an experience."

Notable

Seahawks: In the past two starts, QB Seneca Wallace has a 110.4 QB rating with a completion percentage of 66 and three TDs vs. no thrown interceptions. ... The Seahawks are 11-1 when RB Maurice Morris has 15 or more carries in a game. ... WR Deion Branch's teams (including New England) are 6-0 in his career against the Jets. When Branch has a TD catch, his teams (including Seattle) are 19-5, including the playoffs. ... John Carlson leads NFC rookie TEs with 51 catches for 601 yards. ... The series between the teams is tied 8-8, but the Jets have won five in a row.

Jets: In the past three road games, QB Brett Favre has completed 71 of 96 passes for 619 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. ... RB Leon Washington is tied for first in the NFL with 10 plays of 40 or more yards. ... WR Laveranues Coles needs 53 yards to reach 8,000 in his career. ... LB Calvin Pace has seven sacks, a career high for a season. ... The Jets have five defensive TDs this season, a team record.

Injury report

Seahawks: OT Sean Locklear (toe) is out for season. LB Leroy Hill (shoulder/neck) is doubtful. QB Matt Hasselbeck (back), S Jordan Babineaux (concussion), WR Koren Robinson (knee) and LB D.D. Lewis (shin) are questionable.

Jets: LB Eric Barton (knee), WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), LB David Harris (groin), OT Wayne Hunter (shoulder), NT Kris Jenkins (hip), WR Brad Smith (head) and LB Bryan Thomas (shoulder) are questionable. WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), OL Brandon Moore (ankle) and LB Jason Trusnik (knee) probable.

Last gameSeahawks: The Seahawks snapped a six-game losing streak and defeated the St. Louis Rams for the eighth straight time with their come-from-behind 23-20 win on the road last Sunday. Seattle outscored the Rams 16-3 in the second half and got three field goals from Olindo Mare, including the game-winner with no time left on the clock. Seneca Wallace had his second straight good game with 226 passing yards and CB Jordan Babineaux returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks defense held Rams RB Steven Jackson to 10 rushing yards in the second half. TE John Carlson and WR Deion Branch caught five passes each for Seattle (3-11).

Jets: A sack and forced fumble returned for a touchdown saved the Jets from a critical loss as New York rallied to defeat the Buffalo Bills 31-27 and improve to 9-5, also keeping alive its playoff hopes. The Jets snapped a two-game losing streak. QB Brett Favre was 17 of 30 passing for 207 yards and one touchdown, but also threw two interceptions.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com