It isn’t easy to win a football game while converting just seven first downs, but thanks to a phenomenal defensive effort, Seattle pulled it off.

The Seahawks gained just 135 total yards, but edged out a 14-9 road victory.

Earl Thomas notched 10 total tackles and a pass deflection as the Hawks forced two turnovers and stood St. Louis up at the goal line to seal the win.

As he told Seahawks.com, it was one of the toughest wins he’s ever experienced.

After a 14-9 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Monday night, even the Seahawks’ All-Pro free safety had to admit that he was mentally exhausted and physically drained.

“This is the most physical game I’ve ever played,” said Thomas, slumped in front of his cubicle in the Seahawks’ locker room at the Edwards Jones Dome after leading the prolonged defensive effort with a team-high 10 solo tackles. “I’m mentally tired, I’m mentally drained and I’m physically drained.

“But I’d rather be that way with a win than a loss.”

More than half of Seattle’s 135 yards came on one play—an 80-yard touchdown to Golden Tate that made the difference in the game.

The Rams, without quarterback Sam Bradford, drove all the way down to the Seattle 1-yard line, but Earl and Co. stood their ground. Kellen Clemens’ final pass attempt from the one fell incomplete, giving the Seahawks their seventh win and second straight on the road.

NEXT UP

The Seahawks host Tampa Bay next Sunday.