Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has seen enough. After Matt Hasselbeck turned the ball over on three straight drives to start the half — and eight times in the last two weeks — Carroll turned to backup Charlie Whitehurst to end the third quarter. Hasselbeck, playing with a broken left wrist, has been incredibly turnover prone, leading to 38 points off eight turnovers in the last two weeks.
Whitehurst has seen limited action this year, starting once in place of Hasselbeck after the veteran quarterback suffered a concussion. Though he didn’t pick up a first down after being inserted against the Falcons, Whitehurst didn’t turn the ball over either. Seahawks fans have to consider that a small moral victory.
Whitehurst arrived to a loud ovation after Hasselbeck left to a smattering of boos from the Qwest Field crowd, a sign of displeasure after another listless performance at home. The only question that remains is whether Whitehurst of Hasselbeck finish the year out with the playoffs still within reach and the NFC West up for grabs.