SEATTLE — Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate pivoted, launched and sent Dallas linebacker Sean Lee into the air, then onto his back with a clean, explosive hit.
The block sprung quarterback Russell Wilson for a scrambling first down. More important, it encapsulated the Seahawks’ bullying ways Sunday in a 27-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) in Seattle’s home opener in CenturyLink Field.
Marshawn Lynch finished that same fourth-quarter drive with a three-yard touchdown run to put the Seahawks (1-1) in control, 27-7, with 7:35 remaining. Lynch, known as “Beast Mode” around Seattle, carried 26 times for 122 yards.
Wilson’s home debut was crisp. He finished 15 of 20 for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was pressured, harassed and occasionally drilled by the fervent Seahawks defense and finished 23 of 40 for 251 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Dallas tight end Jason Witten took a big hit in the ribs from Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor in the first quarter and left for the locker room just before halftime. Witten started the second half and was clobbered by Brandon Browner on the first possession. He had two second-half drops that appeared direct results of prior smashings.
Though Wilson threw high at times, he was on point with a tender touch for a touchdown in the third quarter. Wilson hit tight end Anthony McCoy with a 22-yard pass with 5:05 left in the third quarter to vault the Seahawks in front 20-7.
The day was a disaster from the start for the Cowboys in a first quarter full of counterintuitive numbers. Their first three possessions ended this way: fumble, blocked punt, interception.
Dallas had the ball for 10:08 to Seattle’s 4:52 in the first quarter. The Cowboys outgained the Seahawks 112-28. So, naturally, Seattle led 10-3 at the end of the quarter.
That’s because of the Dallas turnovers. Cowboys kickoff returner Felix Jones was stripped on the opening kick by Michael Robinson and Seattle safety Earl Thomas recovered at the Dallas 29-yard line. The Seahawks had first-and-goal from the 8-yard line but only produced a field goal.
Dallas’ next possession was a bigger disaster. The Cowboys had a punt blocked by Malcolm Smith that was picked up at the 3 by Jeron Johnson and taken into the end zone. Seattle led 10-0 with 10:23 left in the first quarter.
It could have been worse for the Cowboys. Romo was intercepted in Seahawks territory by Browner, who returned the pick 35 yards to the Dallas 46. But Wilson missed an open Tate on a post route and the Seahawks punted three plays later to mitigate the turnover.
The Cowboys righted themselves with an extended drive at the end of the first quarter and into the second. The 15-play, 95-yard march ended when Romo lofted a touchdown pass to Miles Austin, who dived to extend the ball into the front corner of the end zone. Despite all that went wrong early, Dallas trailed just 10-7 with 12:09 left in the second quarter.
The Seahawks tacked on a 25-yard field goal from Steven Hauschka with 1:57 left in the half to take a 13-7 lead into the locker room after they were outgained 211-118.
Notes: Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff was inactive Sunday and replaced by Josh Brent in the starting lineup. Ryan Cook started at center for Dallas in place of inactive Phil Costa. … Sunday was the 14th regular-season meeting between the two teams. Dallas leads the series 9-5. … Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell left the game with an injured hamstring.