SEATTLE -- The Seattle Seahawks figured it might be a slog in the early going of their season opener on Sunday given the uncertainty about the Cincinnati Bengals in their first game under a rookie head coach/offensive play-caller who didn't reveal much in the preseason.
Was it ever.
But the Seahawks -- so often slow starters and strong finishers under Pete Carroll -- turned a 17-14 halftime deficit into a nail-biter of 21-20 win.
Seattle is not without its flaws, to be sure. Quarterback Russell Wilson was under siege Sunday and Seattle's secondary looks suspect.