SEATTLE (AP) -- To start with, there's highly regarded defensive tackles Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams, along with three-time Pro Bowler Michael Sinclair at one of the defensive ends.

Then there's a linebacking corps that includes Chad Brown, a free agent brought to Seattle by way of Pittsburgh to cash in on some of billionaire owner Paul Allen's money.

But it's the Seahawks secondary that really catches the attention of offenses. Particularly the young cornerback who wears number 24.

In the franchise's biggest victory since a win at Miami got them into the AFC title game in 1983, Shawn Springs was at his brilliant best last Monday night. He intercepted two passes by Brett Favre and ran a blocked field goal 61 yards for a touchdown that got the Seahawks off to a 7-0 start en route to a 27-7 victory.

Springs and the Seattle defenders can help the Seahawks (5-2) move into sole possession of first place in the AFC West on Sunday if they beat the downtrodden Cincinnati Bengals (1-7) in the Kingdome. They go into the weekend tied for the division lead with Kansas City (5-2), which is at Indianapolis (5-2).

Springs, the third selection in the 1997 draft, has 11 career interceptions and a lot of fans among his teammates.

"I told him when I first got here that he has a chance to become the premier corner in the NFL," said Seahawks nickel back Merton Hanks, signed as a free agent Sept. 14 after being released by San Francisco.

As a four-time Pro Bowl safety in eight seasons with the 49ers, Hanks got a chance to play with Deion Sanders in 1994. He thinks Springs has a chance to be as good as Sanders.

As a youngster, Springs had the extra benefit of being around the Dallas Cowboys, for whom his father, Ron, was a running back.

"When you have people like Everson Walls whispering in your ear when you're a young man, that's going to do nothing but help your development," Hanks said. "Shawn is athletic, he's got the size and he's intelligent. He's the total package."

Springs, who made the Pro Bowl in his second season last year, has 11 career interceptions, two for touchdowns. After helping Seattle hand the Packers only their second loss in 35 home games, he was selected the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Springs, who left Ohio State after his junior year, might be the most confident player on the Seahawks.

In the second quarter, he dropped Favre's pass on the sidelines that had touchdown written all over it.

"I was thinking, 'I could have had three (interceptions),' " he said. "I probably would have brought that one to the house, too."

Of his touchdown return on the blocked field goal, he said, "The ball came straight to me. Once I got it, I knew what to do with it."

Of his two interceptions, he added, "I was just fortunate Brett happened to throw me a couple of balls."

And of the positive attitude he takes onto the field, he said, "You need that type of confidence playing corner."

After their first Monday night appearance since 1992, the Seahawks might be catching the Bengals at the right time. Cincinnati is banged up and demoralized.

Starting quarterback Akili Smith, the Bengals' top draft choice, is sidelined with a sprained right big toe he suffered in Cincinnati's worst loss of the season, 41-10 against Jacksonville at home. Only Jeff Blake's touchdown pass as time ran out prevented the Bengals' most lopsided loss in franchise history.

Blake, who lost his starting job after the Bengals got off to an 0-4 start, is back. When Smith is healthy in a few weeks, Blake will most likely become the backup again.

Cincinnati's secondary, the team's main weakness, is really hurting. Cornerbacks Roosevelt Blackmon (ankle) and Artrell Hawkins (bruised shoulder/sprained ankle) are out and safety Greg Myers is questionable with a strained hamstring.

Ty Howard and Rico Clark, two cornerbacks claimed off waivers at the start of the season, will start.

Blake, an eight-year veteran, watched the Seahawks intercept Favre four times on TV. He hopes to have a different fate.

"Hopefully, I'll never have something like that happen to me," he said. "Brett just had a bad night."

The Bengals desperately need to turn around their season for their own mental health. Four times in the 1990s, they've been 3-13.

"It's been this way every year, so I don't know if you can call it a different low or a different feeling," fourth-year offensive tackle Willie Anderson said. "It's been this way for awhile. We've been through this before."

CINCINNATI Season schedule and results

SEATTLE Season schedule and results

September 12 @Tennessee L 35-36 September 19 San Diego L 7-34 September 26 @Carolina L 3-27 October 3 St. Louis L 10-38 October 10 @Cleveland W 18-17 October 17 Pittsburgh L 3-17 October 24 @Indianapolis L 10-31 October 31 Jacksonville L 10-41 November 7 @Seattle 4:15pm ET November 14 Tennessee 1:00pm ET November 21 Baltimore 4:05pm ET November 28 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET December 5 San Francisco 1:00pm ET December 12 Cleveland 1:00pm ET December 26 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET January 2 @Jacksonville 1:00pm ET

September 12 Detroit L 20-28 September 19 @Chicago W 14-13 September 26 @Pittsburgh W 29-10 October 3 Oakland W 22-21 October 17 @San Diego L 10-13 October 24 Buffalo W 26-16 November 1 @Green Bay W 27-7 November 7 Cincinnati 4:15pm ET November 14 Denver 8:20pm ET November 21 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET November 28 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 5 @Oakland 4:15pm ET December 12 San Diego 4:05pm ET December 19 @Denver 4:15pm ET December 26 Kansas City 4:05pm ET January 2 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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