Seahawks roll past Giants for first 12-win season since 2005

Dec 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stiff arms New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson had 256 all-purpose yards, Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals and the Seahawks shutout the New York Giants to capture a 23-0 victory at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

The Giants had not been shutout at home in a regular-season game since 1995 in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The win brought the Seahawks closer to capturing the NFC West crown, though it was not clinched because the San Francisco 49ers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 33-14, on Sunday.

The Seahawks did, however, set a few records with the victory.

The road-win was their sixth of the season, the most in franchise history. The Seahawks finished the regular season 6-2 away from CenturyLink Field.

Wilson also won his 23rd game as a starter in the NFL, the most by a quarterback in his first two seasons in the NFL. According to mynorthwest.com, he now has more wins than Ben Roethlisberger (22), Dan Marino (21), Matt Ryan (20) and Joe Flacco (20), who are the only other quarterbacks to have at least 20 wins in their first two NFL seasons.

Seattle led the entire game thanks to a bruising defense that forced five turnovers, all interceptions. Giants quarterback Eli Manning finished the game 18-for-31 for 156 yards, no touchdowns and five interceptions. His 31.9 passer rating was his worst of the season.

In the first quarter, Hauschka gave the Seahawks a 3-0 lead with a 49-yard field goal. In the second, Marshawn Lynch rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to make it a double-digit, 10-0 lead. Lynch only rushed for 47 yards on 16 attempts, but he had 73 reception yards, best on the team.

With seven seconds left in the half, Hauschka kicked a 44-yard field goal and Seattle entered the break with a 13-0 lead.

Hauschka kicked his third field goal of the game in the third quarter and the Seahawks extended their lead to 16-0.

In the fourth, Wilson hit Doug Baldwin for a 12-yard score to give Wilson his 24th touchdown pass of the season, two shy of his total from last season. Baldwin finished the day with six catches for 71 yards.

The Seahawks defense limited the Giants to 25 rushing yards and 181 total yards. Seattle’s offense maintained possession of the ball for nearly eight more minutes than New York (33:58-26:02).

The game could very well be the last time the Seahawks have to leave Seattle to play a game this season. Their last two regular season games are at CenturyLink Field and they still have the best record in the NFC with the opportunity to clinch home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The Seahawks’ (12-2) next game will come on Dec. 22 against the Arizona Cardinals (8-5).