Seahawks Pull Out All the Stops

Jon Kitna, comeback king? Seattle Seahawks, big-play defense?

It looked that way Sunday as Seattle stopped Jacksonville at the one-yard line with no time remaining and emerged with a 28-21 victory.

The final stop came only moments after Kitna threw a four-yard pass to Ricky Watters with 2:01 to play for the capper to a rally from 14 points behind.

In a crazy ending to a back-and-forth game, Seahawk safety Reggie Tongue got called for pass interference in the end zone with no time left. That brought the ball to the one and extended the game by one play.

Mark Brunell looked for Alvis Whitted, but the two got their signals crossed after Brunell audibled on what was originally going to be a quarterback sneak. The ball fell harmlessly, giving Seattle (4-7) the victory.

“Somebody had to make the great plays and had to make a goal-line stand,” Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren said. “And today they did it. I’m very proud of them.”

The Jaguars (3-7) saw any hopes of salvaging their season end in a mistake-prone game.

Coughlin shouldered blame for a questionable call with 13:40 to play. He passed up the sure go-ahead points and decided to go for it on fourth down from the one with the score tied, 21-21.

Fred Taylor got stymied, and the Seahawks moved from the shadow of their goal posts to regain the field-position advantage. They also recaptured the confidence that had been tilting Jacksonville’s way.

“I go for it every time,” Coughlin said. “You’ve got to knock it into the end zone from there.”

After falling behind, 21-7, Kitna led the Seahawks on a 67-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 15-yard pass to Sean Dawkins toward the end of the first half.

Jacksonville opened the third quarter with an impressive drive, but committed its only turnover when Keenan McCardell fumbled. Seattle answered with another touchdown to tie the score.

On the winning drive, Kitna moved the Seahawks 67 yards in eight plays, including a 29-yard pass on third down to Dawkins. Four plays later, Watters caught the go-ahead touchdown pass.

Kitna completed 22 of 33 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns.