It’s No Sweat for the Seahawks

Seattle is 2-0 for the first time in five years, thanks to a smothering defensive performance on a sweltering Sunday.

The Arizona Cardinals had turnovers on their first four possessions and Matt Hasselbeck threw touchdown passes of 55 and 66 yards to Darrell Jackson in the Seahawks’ 38-0 romp.

“It’s the building blocks for a good season,” Coach Mike Holmgren said.

The temperature was 98 degrees at kickoff and 102 at halftime, but it was the Cardinals who collapsed in the heat.

It was their the most one-sided home loss since a 52-10 beating by Philadelphia on Nov. 8, 1981, seven years before the franchise moved from St. Louis to Arizona.

“We gave them that ballgame early, then we didn’t fight to get it back,” said Coach Dave McGinnis, whose team has lost 11 of 12. “That disappoints me more than anything else.”

Reggie Tongue intercepted two passes and the Seahawks, under new defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, shut out an opponent for the first time since a 38-0 victory over Philadelphia to open the 1998 season.

Arizona (0-2) lost quarterback Jeff Blake because of a bruised left heel with 1 minute 55 seconds left in the first quarter when 310-pound defensive tackle Norman Hand fell on him. Josh McCown replaced Blake.

The Cardinals, shut out at home for the first time in 12 years, committed six turnovers, giving them nine this season. Arizona’s first two opponents did not have a turnover.

Hasselbeck completed eight of 19 passes for 175 yards and no interceptions.

McCown was 18 of 32 for 150 yards and two passes interceptions.