Russell Wilson completed 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards and a TD in the Seahawks' 27-7 rout of the Cowboys on Sunday. (AP)

Some of the experts predicted a blowout, but not in this fashion. The Seahawks found a way to protect rookie QB Russell Wilson, gave him lots of help in the running game and benefited from timely defense and special teams.

Add it up and Seattle got its first win, cruising past the Dallas Cowboys, 27-7, at CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.

RB Marshawn Lynch kept the Cowboys at bay with 122 yards as the Seahawks held the ball for more than 34 minutes. "We stuck with our game plan: Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball and eventually they're going to get tired," Seattle WR Golden Tate said. Tate, who missed the season opener against Arizona with a sprained knee, caught three passes for 38 yards Sunday.

Seattle put the special in special teams, taking a 10-0 lead thanks to the often overlooked third phase of the game. "Getting that lead in the beginning of the game was very big," Wilson said.

The Seahawks recovered a fumble by Cowboys KR Felix Jones on the game's opening kickoff and quickly turned that into a Steven Hauschka 21-yard field goal. On the Cowboys' next possession, Seahawks LB Malcolm Smith blocked a Chris Jones punt and Jeron Johnson returned it three yards into the end zone.  As it turned out, the 10 points the Seahawks scored in the first 4:37 of the game were all they needed. 

Dallas trimmed the 10-0 Seahawk lead to 13-7 by halftime, but Seattle controlled the ball, the clock and the scoreboard in the second half, outscoring the Cowboys 14-0.

"We didn't get started in the first half much," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "But once we got going, (Wilson) made some great plays and a couple of great throws, and he used his legs, just like we hoped, at opportune times. I thought he played a really cool football game for us." 

Wilson wasn't spectacular, but he was efficient, going 15 of 20 for 151 yards and a touchdown with no picks. He also ran for 28 yards. 

When the game turned: This one turned at the start. Jones fumbled the opening kickoff, putting the Seahawks in field position to score and the crowd in a frenzy that never ebbed. Seattle settled for three points there, but a blocked punt on the next drive made it 10-0 and the Seahawks never looked back.

Highlight moments: The Seahawks’ special teams got into the scoring column when LB Smith blocked Dallas punter Chris Jones’ punt, and S Jeron Johnson returned it for a 10-0 lead.

The Cowboys’ touchdown came in the second quarter when QB Tony Romo lofted a perfectly thrown pass to Miles Austin for a 22-yard score. It seemed to be the play that would get the Cowboys rolling, but they did not score again.

Wilson and the Seahawks fooled the Cowboys late in the third when TE Anthony McCoy snuck into the secondary behind Anthony Spencer for an easy 22-yard touchdown that gave Seattle a 20-7 lead.

Top-shelf performances: RB Lynch -- 26 carries for 122 yards, TD; QB Wilson -- 15 of 20 passing for 151 yards, TD; OLB Spencer -- seven tackles, two sacks, two QB hits.

Numbers you should know: All four first-quarter possessions started in Cowboys' territory and that includes two for each team. That should suggest why Seattle had a 10-0 lead. Seattle started its first two drives at the Cowboys' 29 and Cowboys' 46 after recovering a fumble and then picking off a pass.

Injury update: The Cowboys had several injuries, particularly on defense. Starting safeties Gerald Sensabaugh (calf) and Barry Church (quad) left the game in the second half. Alex Albright (stinger) also left the game.

Going forward: The Cowboys will play their first home game of the season Sunday against Tampa Bay. Seattle gets the Packers at home next Monday night, and it will be a big game for a team that has only hosted one Monday nighter since 2007. 

For more Cowboys information follow @CBSCowboys and @nickeatman.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.