Seahawks Win Season Opener Against Saints

By MARY FOSTERAP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ The Seattle Seahawks started the season the same way they began last season — beating the New Orleans Saints. This year, they did it on the road. “It’s a real nice way to start things,” said Shaun Alexander, who scored all three touchdowns in Seattle’s 21-7 victory Sunday. Seattle was 2-6 on the road last season. “Winning on the road, you must do that to win the championship,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “We understand that. But the curse and all the ghosts, I don’t believe in any of that stuff. Usually if your team is a little bit better, you win on the road.” Alexander finished the game with a bruised knee, but it came after he rushed for 135 yards on 28 carries. He ran for two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass. “He seems to feel OK right now,” Holmgren said. Matt Hasselbeck complemented Alexander’s game, completing 19 of 29 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown. Darrell Jackson had seven receptions for 98 yards. Hasselbeck got things started in the second quarter, hitting Alexander with a 14-yard touchdown pass. Later in the quarter, Alexander did it again. Warding off tacklers with his right arm, he ran 6 yards to make it 14-0. “I had the benefit of studying a lot of film,” Alexander said. “The holes opened up and it allowed me to break a few long runs. We knew their defense, and when I saw all their movement, I said, ‘Here it is.’ That’s why we ran well.” Grant Wistrom tipped a pass from Aaron Brooks into Michael Boulware’s hands to set up a third-quarter Seattle touchdown. Two plays later, Alexander did his thing again, running 9 yards to make it 21-7. Seattle outgained New Orleans 415-281 and outrushed the Saints 194-74. The Saints converted only three of 14 third-down plays. “This game boiled down to our good players making mistakes,” Saints coach Jim Haslett said. “We had two fumbles going in for scores and a couple of penalties that put us in bad position.” Brooks completed 18 of 37 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. His receivers dropped passes and the running game sputtered, with Deuce McAllister finishing with only 57 yards on 16 carries. “The worst thing is I know I can play better,” McAllister said. “We know we can play better. We just have to go out and do it.” After nine games with more than 100 yards rushing last season, McAllister has had five straight without 100 yards. Joe Horn caught six passes for 110 yards. The Saints finally scored on a 6-yard pass to Ernie Conwell to make it 14-7 at the half. Brooks fueled the drive with a 14-yard run after finding no receivers open.