SEATTLE, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Matt Hasselback threw a pair of TD passes and Shaun Alexander rushed for 108 yards and scored twice Sunday as Seattle beat New Irleans, 27-10.
Facing the NFC's highest-scoring team from last year, Seattle's defense shined in its first game under new coordinator Ray Rhodes.
Seattle took the lead for good with an eight-play, 89-yard drive in the second quarter, aided by a 26-yard pass interference call on cornerback Dale Carter. Alexander capped it with a one-yard TD plunge for a 7-3 lead with just under seven minutes left before halftime.
Michael Lewis fumbled on New Orleans' next series and defensive end Antonio Cochran recovered. Two plays later, Hasselbeck hooked up with Koren Robinson for a 35-yard touchdown and a 14-3 cushion.
Alexander added a 10-yard TD catch off a screen pass from Hasselbeck for a 21-3 bulge at halftime.
