Seattle, WA (My Sportsbook) - Matt Hasselbeck overcame some early turnovers to throw for three touchdowns, as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the St. Louis Rams, 28-0, in the season-opener for a pair of clubs looking to erase the memories of disappointing seasons with new head coaches patrolling the sidelines.

Hasselbeck completed 25-of-36 attempts for 279 yards and two interceptions for the Seahawks (1-0), who gave Jim Mora, Jr. a victory in his coaching debut. Seattle posted a 4-12 record last year under Mike Holmgren.

"I was proud of the way we overcome the early adversity," Mora noted. "It was a sloppy start but guys hung in there and showed character. We will get better. This was an emotional win for the team and me as well. Wins are tough to come by so I am happy for our fans and the team."

John Carlson caught six passes for 95 yards and two scores, Nate Burleson had 74 yards on seven receptions, including a touchdown, and newcomer T.J. Houshmandzadeh hauled in six balls for 48 yards.

Julius Jones ran 19 times for 117 yards and a score for Seattle, which posted its biggest opening-game victory since a 38-0 rout at Philadelphia in 1998.

Marc Bulger struggled under center, throwing for 191 yards on 17-of-36 efficiency for St. Louis (0-1), which closed out the 2008 campaign on a 10-game slide and finished 2-14.

Steven Jackson gained 67 yards on 16 carries.

It was not the debut new head man Steve Spagnuolo had envisioned. Spagnuolo joined the Rams following a stint as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

"Obviously, disappointed in the result. I'm not disappointed in the effort," Spagnuolo said. "I know the passion in those guys' eyes."

There was a sloppy start to the game, with the Rams' Donnie Avery fumbling the opening kickoff. On the third play of the subsequent drive Hasselbeck's intended pass to Houshmandzadeh was picked off by James Butler in the end zone.

Later in the first quarter, Burleson fumbled after an 11-yard toss and Hasselbeck was intercepted by Oshiomogho Atogwe.

St. Louis took over at its own 33 and orchestrated a long drive that extended into the second quarter. The Rams moved inside the red zone, where the drive stalled. Josh Brown came on and hooked a 37-yard field goal wide right.

Seattle then converted three third downs on the ensuing series to produce the first points of the game. Hasselbeck's one-yard TD pass to Carlson capped the 13-play drive with 5:45 remaining.

A costly penalty on a blocked field goal wiped out a touchdown for the Rams.

C.J. Ah You penetrated the middle of the line and negated Olindo Mare's 49- yard attempt. Quincy Butler scooped up the loose ball and scampered 51 yards for the score. However, replays showed that St. Louis had 12 men on the field and the infraction gave Seattle a fresh set of downs.

Hasselbeck then delivered a strike to Burleson for a 12-yard scoring reception in the waning moments of the first half.

Following the break, Seattle put together an impressive drive that originated from the shadow of its own end zone. Starting at the one-yard line, Hasselbeck connected on all four of his pass attempts, including a 33-yard completion to Carlson that increased the lead to 21-0 with five minutes to go in the third quarter.

Less than two minutes had elapsed when Jones broke off a 62-yard TD run to cement the win.

Game Notes

Seahawks linebackers Leroy Hill (groin) and Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) both left the game...Laurent Robinson accumulated 87 yards on five catches for St. Louis, while Avery had six receptions for 46 yards...The Rams were 2-of-12 on third downs...Seattle outgained St. Louis, 446-247.