Rookie Tyler Lockett sets Seahawks' record for punt-return yardage

(TNS) — Tyler Lockett looked behind him and thought the same as everyone else on the Seahawks sideline -- his 66-yard punt return was going to be nullified due to a penalty on Richard Sherman.

It had happened earlier, with Sherman called for holding to negate a Lockett 22-yard return.

“I thought it was going to be called back,’’ Lockett said. “Luckily it wasn’t.’’

Instead, Arizona’s Brittan Golden was called for pulling on Sherman’s facemask, even if it also looked like he got some hair.

“I have to see the film,” Sherman said later with a smile.

Sherman jumped up and down in protest as the flag fell, also thinking the penalty was on him.

“I was like, ‘C’mon, C’mon,’ ‘’ he said.

His mood lightened when the flag went the other way and the Seahawks ended up with the ball at the Arizona 8-yard line, scoring a play later en route to a 36-6 win over the Cardinals.

The return was one of four significant ones for Lockett in the first half as he had 139 yards to break a Seattle single-game record, set by Charlie Rogers with 106 in 1999.

Lockett said there were two keys to his big day.

One was the Cardinals usually were punting from deep in their own territory -- longer punts tend to allow for more running lanes.

“When they are backed up so much they have to kick it at least a decent amount of yards to put us back, and then it helps us to be able to get a return,’’ Lockett said.

Another was Seattle double-teaming Arizona’s top coverage man, Justin Bethel.

“We wanted to take him out, but he still caused us some problems,’’ Lockett said.

As for setting the record?

“It’s sweet,’’ Lockett said.

Sherman jabs at Brown

Sherman drew a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third quarter for having an animated conversation with Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer and then squatting, which Sherman said was to point out to Palmer that he was on the bench so, “What are you talking about?’’

Among Sherman’s topics of conversation with Palmer was that Arizona receiver John Brown was held in check, with just four receptions for 45 yards.

Sherman noted that Brown had said in an interview in August of Sherman that, “I don’t think he could cover me one on one.’’

Sherman after the game said the comment was “laughable. ... He said I couldn’t guard him. That’s the kind of disrespect you make sure they remember.’’

Glowinski makes first start

Rookie offensive lineman Mark Glowinski was nervous the day before Sunday’s game because he knew he was going to make his first start. But by kickoff those nerves had disappeared.

“I was just glued in and ready to go,” Glowinski said.

Glowinski, a fourth-round draft pick out of West Virginia this year, started at right guard in place of J.R. Sweezy, who was out because of a concussion. And how was Glowinski’s first career start?

“Awesome,” he said. “I was able to get some of that rust off. Pacing on the sideline the whole year to actually getting to play was pretty cool.”

Seahawks could get healthy

Carroll said after the game the only new injury was a strained oblique by cornerback Jeremy Lane.

Carroll said he still anticipates running back Marshawn Lynch returning Monday. He has not played since the Nov. 15 game against Arizona and had abdomen surgery Nov. 25.

And Carroll said key players who sat out -- including left tackle Russell Okung, right guard J.R.Sweezy, tight end Luke Willson and strong safety Kam Chancellor -- could return for the playoffs.

“That will be a nice boost,’’ Carroll said.