Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando The Seahawks can't blame their latest defeat on poor production from Deion Branch.
The oft-injured receiver scored two touchdown passes in his first game against the team that traded him to Seattle for a first-round choice in the 2007 draft. The Seahawks might have won Sunday if the Patriots hadn't used that draft choice for safety Brandon Meriweather.
Meriweather's fumble-forcing sack in the final minutes stopped a promising Seattle drive, allowing the Patriots to run out the clock.
The Seahawks are beyond worrying about outcomes. At 2-11, they are looking for smaller victories. A few stood out Sunday:
- Rookie tight end John Carlson continued to play at a high level.
- Quarterback Seneca Wallace played perhaps his best game as a professional.
- Branch flashed the talent that made Seattle pursue him in the first place.
- Cornerback Marcus Trufant played at a Pro Bowl level against Patriots receiver Randy Moss.
- Seattle's patched-together offensive line played better than expected against an injury-depleted Patriots defense.
The biggest victory of all: Only three games remain on the schedule. The offseason can't come quickly enough for Seattle.
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Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.