With the NFL Playoffs hanging in the balance, the Seattle Seahawks took the ball first on Sunday Night Football and immediately put together a drive. Just before kickoff, head coach Pete Carroll announced Charlie Whitehurst would be the starter and boy did Whitehurst respond. A perfect 5-5 drive by Whitehurst got the Seahawks going fast as the Qwest Field crowd erupted.
Whitehurst hit Ruvell Martin on a bomb on the second play from scrimmage after a quick swing pass going Whitehurst into the flow of the game. It was Whitehurst again to cap the drive as he rolled right and threw back to Mike Williams for the touchdown. Whitehurst finished 5-5 for 85 yards and a touchdown after the Seahawks took a holding penalty on the opening kickoff, negating a nice run-back by Leon Washington.
In the first quarter, the Seahawks lead the Rams, 7-0 with the final spot in the NFL Playoffs hanging in the balance.