The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash. – Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls rushed for more yards on Sunday than Marshawn Lynch has managed in any game in his career.

With Lynch out for a second straight week due to a hamstring strain, Rawls rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. It was Rawls’ third straight start in place of Lynch, who was unable to start in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears as well before entering the game late in the first quarter.

Head coach Pete Carroll was still processing the loss after the game and didn’t feel comfortable commenting on the individual performances of his players. Well, except for Rawls, who left a strong impression.

“I don’t know how anybody played today, really, I don’t have a feel for that, I don’t have a feel for anybody other than Thomas ran like he hoped we would,” Carroll said. “He was pretty solid today.”

Lynch’s career-high was 153 yards – also against the Bengals – while still a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2007. Lynch’s best output as a member of the Seahawks was 148 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.

Rawls’ 69-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Seattle a 17-7 lead.

Even with Lynch set to return this week, Carroll said Rawls has earned an increased role in Seattle’s running back rotation.

“There’s no reason for him not to play,” he said of Rawls. “He’s done a great job. He’s probably exceeded expectations at this point.”

–After a putrid showing the previous week against the Detroit Lions, the Seahawks offensive line showed significant signs of improvement in Cincinnati.

Seattle rushed for 200 yards for the first time this season with Rawls leading the way. Russell Wilson was sacked just once in the first three quarters, which came when he ran out of bounds on his own behind the line of scrimmage. Wilson had time to throw and Seattle’s offense looked strong for most of the game.

“Without question, the line of scrimmage was the best it’s been,” Carroll said. “We came off the ball well. We ran the football the way we like to. … That felt like we’re accustomed (to).”

Wilson had been sacked six times against Detroit and hit 10 times overall in the game. They were also held to a season-low 110 rushing yards by the Lions.

In Cincinnati, the line was much more successful. Seattle averaged 6.7 yards per carry in the game and kept Wilson upright for most of the day. He was sacked three times in the fourth quarter and overtime, all coming on third-down pass attempts. While the end result wasn’t there, it was a positive stride for the offensive line.

“The tempo coming off the football was really good,” Carroll said. “We moved the line of scrimmage well. We were way more consistent with our pickups and our targeting. We adjusted to a couple things that happened during the game really well. … There was just a lot of improvements, kind of in general, that I’m hoping we can just keep going with it. It really felt attitude wise much more in line with what we have done in the past.”

Notes: Lynch is expected to return to action this week after missing the last two games due to a hamstring strain. Carroll said he should be able to practice on Thursday. … Linebacker Bobby Wagner briefly left the game Sunday due to a strained pectoral but managed to return and finished the game. Carroll said it is possible Wagner could be ready to play this week or may need a couple weeks if the injury doesn’t respond to treatment. … Defensive tackle Jordan Hill suffered a strained quad against the Bengals and is expected to miss a couple weeks. … Cornerback Tharold Simon will need surgery to repair a dislocated toe. Simon has had the same problem in the same toe on his other foot and needed surgery to repair that issue as well. He was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. … Running back Fred Jackson made it through the game without issue. He played just six days after suffering a high-ankle sprain.