PRO FOOTBALL : Seahawks Will Play Jets Tonight, Spurred by Memories of Last Year

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Seattle Seahawks have vivid memories of what the New York Jets did to them last year.

A 38-7 rout by the Jets in the Kingdome served as an incentive for the Seahawks as they prepared for tonight’s game against slumping New York.

“It was an embarrassment,” Seahawk Coach Chuck Knox said. “I don’t believe you have to mention it, but I think it behooves an intelligent person to profit from history.”

History had been kind to the Seahawks against the Jets. Seattle won the first seven games the teams played, including one which featured a 20-for-26, two-touchdown passing performance by quarterback Dave Krieg in his first NFL start in 1981.

But the Jets have won the last two times the teams have played. Last year, the Jets amassed 553 yards, the most against a Knox team in his 15 years as an NFL coach.

“They beat us good last year, but we can’t dwell on that,” defensive end Jeff Bryant said. “We’ve just got to execute our game plan.

“But we felt bad about last year. I know I felt badly after the game.” The Seahawks (5-2), with a victory, would remain one game behind San Diego in the AFC West. The Chargers defeated Indianapolis Sunday. The Jets, 3-4, have lost two straight and lacked intensity last week in losing, 19-14, to the Colts.

“We haven’t been as emotional as in the past, but that’s not an excuse,” quarterback Ken O’Brien said. “The reason we lost is too many mistakes. If we cut down on them, we’ll be fine.”

“You have to play hard to win in this league,” Jet Coach Joe Walton “All of those things that go wrong stem from not playing hard.”