The Seattle Seahawks have won two games. They've lost five. That means they've won one more game than the Lions. That also means the Seahawks aren't very good.
But let's take a closer look. Seattle beat St. Louis this year, the same team that got its first win last week in Detroit. Not only did Seattle beat St. Louis, the Seahawks shut out the Rams, 28-0.
The Seahawks also recorded a shutout in their other victory, 41-0, over the Jacksonville Jaguars. So what is the common denominator in those two wins?
Qwest Field.
It is arguably the noisiest place to play in the NFL.
And although Lions coach Jim Schwartz likes to point out that any road game is tough, he said Friday that Seattle fans "take pride in affecting the game."
Then he added: "It's our job to not let them affect the game. Early in the game, if you let the crowd affect you, it's gonna get worse. If you don't make it an issue, it won't be an issue."
That sounds simple enough. The problem is, said Lions linebacker Julian Peterson, who played for Seattle the previous three years, the fans know they can change the game.
"The crowd had signs up that let it be known how many people they got to jump offsides," he said. "You've got to enjoy that as a player."
Peterson is making his first appearance at Qwest Field since he played for the Seahawks. He said he plans to exchange greetings with his former teammates early, then get down to business. He also plans on talking a little trash with the fans while on the sideline and pointing to the name on the back of his jersey every time he makes a play.
It's all part of having fun with the so-called 12th man, the moniker given to the perceived advantage Seattle enjoys at home. It doesn't help that the Lions have lost 15 straight road games.
To end that streak, said Lions receiver Bryant Johnson, "We have to overcome anything that happens early. You definitely want to try to take the crowd out. It's the loudest stadium in the NFL."
Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has coached against the Seahawks several times in Seattle. The noise, he said, helps the home team perform on the field by loading up the defense to stop the run and using the noise as a kind of adrenaline boost.
"Especially early in games," Linehan said. "They really get after you at home because they've got that 12th-man thing going." They "challenge you, challenge your manhood and all that stuff."
While some might look at this year's Seahawks and see a 2-5 team that is struggling, Linehan sees "a group that has played dominant football. We can't go down that road and expect to beat this team. They're too talented defensively as far as guys who can make plays."
Speaking of making plays, Bryant Johnson said Friday that he and the team went back to the basics this week to make sure the dropped balls stop.
"The drops last week were a lack of focus," he said. "You have to make sure you are looking the ball in and not trying to make a big play before you catch the ball."
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