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Earl Thomas went back to the tape after the Seattle Seahawks’ runaway victory over the New York Giants and, for the first time this season, he got to watch himself pull down an interception.

Now, as ET III and the Hawks look forward to their next challenge, he’ll take that successful feeling and use it as fuel to fight his next battle.

“You just always build off of that,” Earl said. “When you watch film after a game on Monday, you ask yourself a lot of questions and see how your body was moving. You see what opportunities you had to make interceptions, and when you actually do, it feels good.”

ET and defending Super Bowl champs will leave the comfort of CenturyLink Field to head to the always-hostile Arrowhead Stadium to take on another surging squad, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Although Sunday’s matchup is a non-divisional game, it is of particular importance for both squads as they hope to extend current winning streaks and keep pace with conference leaders as the regular season nears its climax.

SIMILARITIES RUN DEEP

The parallels between the Seahawks and the Chiefs stretch beyond their identical 6-3 records.

On offense, Seattle and Kansas City have been buoyed thus far by dynamic running games and solid quarterback play.

Seattle ranks first in the league in rushing offense and the Chiefs — led by ET III’s teammate at the University of Texas and longtime friend Jamaal Charles — are close behind in fifth.

Kansas City has found a reliable quarterback option in Alex Smith, who has completed 66.7 percent of his passes thus far and whose offense has only turned the ball over seven times. Although his passing numbers are down, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson has also proven to be a trustworthy signal caller, as the Seahawks only have nine turnovers to their name.

Both sides also boast top-10 defenses, although the Seahawks have fared significantly better than the Chiefs in containing opponents’ ground games.

In ESPN’s latest NFL power rankings released earlier this week, the Seahawks came in at No.9 and Kansas City is close behind in the No.10 spot.

ESPN NAMES ET TOP SAFETY

Earlier this week, Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN profiled ET III, examining how the three-time All Pro’s mental preparation and competitive mentality make him the top safety in the NFL.

“[Richard] Sherman might be the most vocal member of Seattle’s secondary, but Thomas, a three-time Pro Bowler, is its soul,” writes Chadiha.

The article was filled with reflections on Earl and his relentless work ethic from teammates, coaches and No.29 himself.

“We want him to own the middle of the field,” Seahawks defensive backs coach Kris Richard said in the piece. “Any deep ball that goes up, we think ‘Earl, let’s go.’ Anybody breaks through the front line of our defense, we think, ‘Earl, get him down.’ We have to be strong up the middle so in a lot of ways, he’s our savior back there.”

Earl’s backfield compatriot Kam Chancellor complimented his fellow safety’s on-field awareness.

“The safeties here are taught to take two things away — the seam and the post routes,” Chancellor told ESPN. “And Earl knows where the seam and post threats are. He has such a feel for the game that he can look at two receivers and know who is going to run the deep route.”

Already a talented player coming into the NFL in 2010, Earl said that he has taken great care to analyze any mistakes that he spots. In particular, ET III noted that over his career he has learned to channel his aggressive nature.

“If I saw something in my rookie year, I went after it because of my instincts,” Earl said. “I made some mistakes, but I also made some plays. As time progressed, I learned how to control that [aggressiveness].”

This attitude has greatly contributed to the three-time All Pro’s transformation into one of the game’s top defensive players.

“My mindset is the key to my success,” Thomas said. “It’s the way I attack the game and the way I look at things in life. God gave me all this ability, so I want to capitalize on it. I have a clear vision of who I want to be, and that’s what I’m striving for every day.”

Earl told ESPN that he aims to redefine the traditional roles and responsibilities of his position.

“It’s not about me being the best safety,” ET III said. “It’s about me being the best defensive back ever. That’s what I’m after. That’s how you leave a mark on this game. When I think about the Hall of Fame and things like that, that’s why I grind so hard. I know I have a chance to redefine this position.”

INJURY REPORT

At least for another game, the Seahawks will have to once again rely on the “next man up” mentality that has carried them through their current winning streaks.

The defense was dealt a huge blow earlier this week when it was announced that nose tackle Brandon Mebane, who was in the midst of a breakout season would be out indefinitely with a torn hamstring. Defensive back Marcus Burley did not practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday’s contest.

Although Bobby Wagner has been ruled out for yet another game, but coach Pete Carroll said he could be back on the field next week.

Offensively, tight end Zach Miller has been ruled out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

However, the Seahawks did receive some positive news as middle linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith and safety Kam Chancellor eased their way back into practice this week and should be ready to go against Kansas City.

The Chiefs have been more fortunate than the Seahawks on the injury front, but are still a little banged up offensively heading into Sunday.

Running back and key special teams player Cyrus Gray is out for the season with a torn ACL and tight ends Demetrius Harris and Anthony Fasano also recently suffered injuries.

SEATTLE O SEARCHING FOR CONSISTENCY

Thus far, Seattle has relied on its stout defense to carry it through tough games. As the Seahawks reach the critical point in their 2014 campaign, they will be looking for more consistency on the offensive end to help keep ET III and the defense rested and off the field.

Against the New York Giants last week, Seattle – carried by Marshawn Lynch’s four-touchdowns – had an optimal offense showing, rushing for a franchise record 350 yards.

However, the team has had shakier offensive performances in previous matchups. A week earlier against the winless Oakland Raiders, the offense put up 30 points, but failed to put the game away, leading to a closer than necessary final score. This trend of failing to take advantage of offensive opportunities has presented itself throughout the season.

Because Wilson has struggled to get going, Lynch — whose nine rushing touchdowns lead the NFL — has put most of the weight on his shoulders.

Kansas City is ranked first in the league in passing defense, suggesting that the Seahawks will again have to rely more heavily on Lynch.

Despite Wilson’s decreased numbers, ET III said that he still has faith in the productivity of Seattle’s balanced offensive attack.

“I think the combination of Russell Wilson and Marshawn is so potent,” Earl said. “I just think it’s about tempo and getting on track. When you talk about they get in that shotgun and Russ is faking the play action and they don’t know if he’s going to hand it off to Marshawn or keep the ball, that puts a lot of stress off the defense.”

“You definitely have to be in good shape playing a Seattle offense because they spread you out and Russell does his trick shift stuff. It’s like he’s playing Pop Warner football; that’s what I enjoy the most, watching football like that because that’s its purest form right there. It’s a kid’s game and Russ plays it just like that.”

Wilson acknowledged his struggles and said he is committed to helping his team win in any way that he can.

“Sometimes you go through a downward slump,” Wilson said. “But as long as you can find ways to win, that’s all I care about is finding ways to help our football team win.”

BATTLE OF BROTHERS

Sunday in Kansas City, Earl will go head-to-head with one of his best friends in Charles.

The two grew up close by in Southeast Texas and were teammates at University of Texas – Austin. They have kept this friendship going, as ET III and Charles frequently train together in the offseason and attend each other’s charity events.

“[The Chiefs] have a great running back in my brother Jamaal Charles,” Earl told Sports Illustrated this week. “We grew up 10 minutes apart from each other. That’s going to be a good battle between me and my brother so I’m excited about that.”

In his seven years in the league, Charles has blossomed into one of the game’s most elite running backs. He is the all-time NFL leader in yards per carry among running backs, averaging 5.79 yards. Like Earl, Charles is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro.

“Me and Earl Thomas, we went to UT together, he’s kind of like a little brother to me,” Charles, who is 2 ½ years older than ET III, said in 2011. “I talk to him and try to keep him working hard, talk to him keep him focused. I try to stay in his ear,”

Earlier this season, Charles became the Chiefs’ all-time leading rusher, surpassing another Longhorn on the list in Priest Holmes.

Charles is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career. Last season, the explosive back rushed for a career-high and NFL-best 12 touchdowns and garnered 1,287 total yards on the ground. He also had 693 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, both career bests. Charles’ 19 rushing and receiving touchdowns led the NFL. In addition, Charles ended the year second in the league behind Eagles running back Lesean McCoy in total yards from scrimmage. At the end of the season, Charles, along with his old friend ET III was a First Team All-Pro selection.

According to his teammates in Kansas City, watching No.29 win the Super Bowl last season made Charles more motivated for the 2014 season.

“Jamaal has been here seven years and I think he’s only been to the playoffs twice, so that’s one thing he’s looking forward to, getting to the Super Bowl,” Chiefs running back Cyrus Gray said. “He told me the thing that got him really motivated was one of his best friends, Earl Thomas, and Seattle winning the Super Bowl…They won the Super Bowl, and Jamaal sees everything Earl is going through and all the accomplishments, it just makes him even more hungry.”

Against the Bills last Sunday, Charles had his most productive outing of the 2014 campaign, rushing for 98 yards on 15 carries. He scored the Chiefs’ only touchdown in the 17-13 win and also had three receptions for 20 yards.

SCOUTING KC: ALEX SMITH

Charles will not be the only familiar face that No.29 lines up against on Sunday. Although the Chiefs and the Seahawks have not met since 2010, ET III and the Legion of Boom have experience with Smith, the former 49ers quarterback.

“We know Alex pretty well because he played with the 49ers early on in my career and he did the same thing there,” Earl said. “He didn’t turn the ball over. He was a very good athlete in space. He has the ability to pass and run.”

While Smith had an inconsistent career in San Francisco, he has thrived in his two years in Kansas City. Thus far in the 2014 campaign, he is completing the highest percentage of passes of his career, has thrown for 11 touchdowns, and boasts a 92.8 quarterback rating.

In speaking to the media this week, the tenth-year signal caller had nothing but praise for the Seattle defensive unit.

“Those guys play fast,” Smith said about the Seattle defense. “They know what they’re doing. They’ve been in that system for a while now and everybody’s flying around. They’re good. They’re a stout defense and it’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Smith went on to further compliment Seattle’s defense and said that it is difficult to point out a specific weakness.

“They play good football,” he said. “They’re all on the same page – all flying around. They all kind of fit the scheme well, from the secondary perspective to the front. They can get after the passer. The guys on the outside disrupt routes and timing. The safeties fly around and match up well in coverage. They have some physical linebackers too. Good talent across the board. It’s tough to find a weakness.”

L.O.B. STILL STRONG

While Seattle’s defensive stats — particularly in the turnover category — are not as jaw-dropping are they were last season, Earl has maintained that his unit is just as dangerous.

A season after the Seattle defense shut down nearly every opponent it faced opposing offensive coordinators have adjusted their strategies. For the most part, quarterbacks have thrown less deep balls down the field. Earl said that he has welcomed the opportunity to learn the ways in which he can adjust his own game.

“I go through all the plays that I messed up on,” No. 29 said. “People are digging deep, because it’s hard to beat us. They’ll try to disguise things to see if we’ve learned from our mistakes.”

As a team, Earl said that the Seattle defense is made up of players who are eager to improve.

“We’re not making the same mistakes and teams are not attacking us the same either,” Earl said. “The thing that I love about our team is we have that mindset of smart football players and we understand situations, and that gives us the ability to adapt every time.”

Last week against the Giants, Earl recorded his first interception of the 2014 campaign when he picked off Manning in the endzone and ran it back 47 yards. That interception sparked a 21-0 fourth-quarter run. After trouncing the Giants over the closing stretches of last week’s tilt, ET and his team are ready to build on their success.

“I just like where we’re at right now,” Earl said. “We’re in a good place, we’re in a good humble place and we understand the process and the day by day. Understanding that every week is different and we’re going to get everybody’s best shot, and everybody is going to get our best shot. We can live with that.”

Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET and FOX will have the broadcast.