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Seahawks seek fourth in row vs. Eagles

Dec 2, 2007 - 12:32 PM Seattle (7-4) at Philadelphia (5-6) 1:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The loss of star running back Shaun Alexander has not hurt the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle goes for its fourth consecutive victory when it visits the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Alexander, the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2005, has sat out the last three games with multiple injuries, but the Seahawks won all three to take control of the NFC West.

After scoring 17 unanswered points to rally for a 24-19 victory over the St. Louis Rams last week, Seattle opened a two-game lead over the Arizona Cardinals as it seeks its fourth straight division title.

Backup Maurice Morris has averaged 84 yards rushing per game in place of Alexander, who is not expected to return to the field until coach Mike Holmgren deems he is completely healthy.

Holmgren also has put an emphasis on the passing game. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has averaged 41 attempts in his past six games, during which he has thrown for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Hasselbeck lost starting wideout D.J. Hackett to a high ankle sprain during the win over the Rams. Hackett had 17 receptions for 237 yards and two TDs in the previous two games.

His absence was offset by the re-emergence of Deion Branch, who hauled in five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in his second game back after sitting out four contests with a sprained foot.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are coming off a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to the New England Patriots.

A 24-point underdog, Philadelphia carried a 28-24 lead into the final quarter and was driving for the go-ahead score when backup quarterback A.J. Feeley was intercepted in the end zone with just under four minutes to play.

Feeley, who was filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb, threw for a career-high 345 yards and three TD passes, but three interceptions spoiled the stellar effort.

"I'm just bitter," Feeley said. "It's just disappointing to come out there and be so close and come up short like that. ... I can't put myself or the team in a position like that and turn the ball over."

McNabb is suffering from a sprained ankle and thumb injury on his throwing hand, and coach Andy Reid said he expects him to be ready for Sunday's game - but only if he is 100 percent.

While Philadelphia is tied with the Washington Redskins for last place in the NFC East, it is one of six teams with a 5-6 mark in the conference and trails the Detroit Lions by just one game for the final playoff spot.