Seahawks Manhandle Giants 23-0

This is the best Seahawks road team in their history. Even better, they might not need to leave Seattle again — until another trip to the Meadowlands.

For the Super Bowl.

Seattle manhandled the New York Giants 23-0 Sunday for its sixth road win, holding the hosts to 181 yards.

Richard Sherman had two interceptions, Marshawn Lynch scored on a twisting, triple-effort 2-yard run, and Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals.

Russell Wilson toyed with New York's defense, running for 50 yards and throwing for 206 and a touchdown before sitting out the last few minutes.

The Seahawks (12-2) are closing in on the NFC West title and their best overall record; they went 13-3 in 2005 before losing to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

This season's Super Bowl will be played at MetLife Stadium and unless they collapse in their final two games at home, where they are undefeated, the Seahawks will be the NFC favorite to reach the first outdoor Super Bowl in a cold weather city.

New York (5-9) will be deep into its offseason by then with its first losing record since 2004.

It was Seattle's first shutout since a 58-0 romp over Arizona on Dec. 9 last year. The Giants lost 38-0 to Carolina in Week 3.

Eli Manning was picked off a career-worst five times, with Byron Maxwell also getting two. The Giants lost top receiver Victor Cruz to a concussion in the fourth quarter. Cruz is 2 yards short of his third straight 1,000-yard season.

Hauschka, who is clutch from long distance (14 for 15 from beyond 40 yards), made 49- and 44-yarders, plus a 24-yard field goal.

Seattle's top-ranked defense had New York off-kilter so badly that three of Manning's interceptions were into tight coverage. Maxwell and Sherman had clearer shots at the ball than Manning's intended receivers.

One interception came on a desperation pass to end the half and Earl Thomas' pick in the final period was off a deflection.

Sherman's first pick led to Lynch's brilliant short run for a 10-0 lead. Lynch seemed to be going down several times, but went into full Beast Mode to power into the end zone.

Hauschka's 44-yarder made it 13-0 at halftime, then Sherman got his sixth interception of the season.

Maxwell's second pick led to Wilson's 12-yard TD pass to Doug Baldwin, the 17th touchdown New York has yielded off a turnover.

Lynch actually was most effective as a receiver with six catches for 73 yards. He rushed for 47.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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