Doomsday scenario has arrived for Seahawks

The nightmare commenced with one chilling sight.

There was Matt Hasselbeck, the tough-as-dry-steak Seahawks quarterback, unable to rise. He dropped and rolled over, holding his right knee. He tried to lift himself but couldn't. He fell, again. He slammed his fist into the turf. And right then, every dream for this season paused at once.

Mr. Irreplaceable, the most important Seahawk, is hurt. He stands a few medical images from exhalation or exasperation this morning. All remains in sleep mode until the doctors speak.

The horrific scenario has arrived.

"I remember I ran a route and looked back to see what happened with the pass rush," wide receiver Nate Burleson said. "Matt was on the ground. I didn't see what happened. I couldn't watch the replay. All I can do now is just pray."

You might recall the Seahawks lost the game Sunday, too, a very discouraging 31-13 defeat to the ordinary Minnesota Vikings. There goes the 12-game home winning streak. And the Seahawks' offensive line still looks overmatched. And the defense is giving up too many big plays. And there's a growing belief this team is mediocre and about to be fully exploited.

But those concerns are muted now. All you can hear is Hasselbeck.

With their Pro Bowl quarterback, the Seahawks are legitimate Super Bowl contenders despite their imperfections. He is more valuable than Shaun Alexander, the NFL's reigning most valuable player. And by the way, who could've envisioned Seattle being without both Hasselbeck and Alexander six games into this season? The news would even miff a hypochondriac.

The Curse of Super Bowl Runners-up is real, for sure. Today, the Seahawks will learn the severity of their hex. If you're into evaluating body language, you should brace yourself.

The locker room had the mood of a team fearing the worst. Whenever macho men recoil at obvious questions, you know dread lurks. Whenever the dressing area is half-empty when reporters enter, you know anxiety lurks. Whenever the entire team gives a pet answer about believing in the backup quarterback, you know the uniformity is a coping mechanism.

"I'm not saying anything about what it is," coach Mike Holmgren said of Hasselbeck's injury. "[Monday] he has his pictures taken."

Already, speculation runs unabashed. Thus far, Hasselbeck has only been diagnosed with a right knee sprain, but rumor has him with a medial collateral ligament problem. If word doesn't come soon, you might hear he needs a knee-ectomy.

Hasselbeck was injured during the third quarter after linebacker E.J. Henderson tumbled into his knee. It was the kind of freak incident you hate to see happen to quarterbacks. Hasselbeck was standing in the pocket, intent on throwing a pass toward fullback Josh Parry. He planted his leg to make the throw, then Henderson, who appeared to be pushed by Seahawks fullback Mack Strong, crashed into Hasselbeck. The leg crumpled awkwardly.

An unfortunate occupational hazard became real. A sad reality did, too.

"Anytime you lose your Pro Bowl quarterback, it takes a little wind out of you," Strong said.

The entire organization is gasping.

No matter how thoroughly you prepare, football will find a weak spot. The Seahawks have done much to become a deeper and more balanced team. They have generally spent their money wisely. They have pondered potential pitfalls and worked to fix them in advance. They have built a team capable of winning a championship.

In this sport, everyone understands you must think more about the entire 52-man roster than a single star, but you can never create a fully independent squad. There will always be one player who matters most. Here, like many places, it is the quarterback.

The players and coaches speak confidently about backup Seneca Wallace's ability, but what else can they say? Wallace is a great athlete with acres of potential, but his two interceptions in relief showed his learning curve. He was in the toughest of situations, of course. Still, even after factoring in improvement, you cannot forecast a player capable of keeping Seattle on a Super Bowl trek.

Are the doctors done evaluating Hasselbeck yet?

"I'm not nervous," Holmgren said. "If we would have to play without Matt, it will probably change some things, yes. But I'm not nervous. Seneca's a good player."

But with Alexander's foot still mending and an offensive line in transition, Wallace couldn't possibly thrive and lead the team without regression. If the Seahawks were their old physically dominant selves at the line of scrimmage, he'd have a chance. Right now, well, let's just say it's a good thing he's elusive.

On the day the Seahawks played against Steve Hutchinson, the dominant offensive lineman they let get away, Hasselbeck fell and couldn't rise. It was a coincidence, but an interesting one.

Now there's a pause and a hush. The doctors are scrutinizing the right knee of Mr. Irreplaceable.

Yep, this is torture.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com.