Last season, Seattle became the first defense since the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears to pull off the triple crown — first in yards, points and takeaways.

They have a ways to go this year if they are going to repeat that feat.

While they are the No. 1 run defense, fifth in total yards and ninth in points allowed, they are tied for 31^st in takeaways.

After four games last season, they had 13 forced turnovers on their way to a league-best 39. After four games this season, they have just three.

They have been around the ball; they just have not been able to corral it.

In San Diego, it proved to be one of the reasons they lost. The Chargers fumbled it three times, but the Hawks could not come up with one.

After that game, safety Earl Thomas said, “I guess that’s sometimes how the ball rolls. All we can do is keep emphasizing it in meetings, keep seeing those moments when the game slows up and you have your opportunities — and you just have to capture those moments. But when they do come, they come in bunches.”

That’s what coach Pete Carroll is preaching after the Hawks dropped two or three potential interceptions against Washington on Monday and also missed out on collecting a fumble caused by K.J. Wright.

“We were three or four balls away from having a big, big day, and they were right there for us,” Carroll said. “So we’re hoping that we’ll keep with it and keep attacking the football. We’ve kind of got this feeling that they come in bunches; so, if we can get this thing going, it can really make a big difference ’cause we’re really playing without the turnover factor in our favor.”

Carroll pointed out that the offense is not turning the ball over (only one), “so that part is in line. (It) just hasn’t come our way yet. They’re there, so we’ll keep busting trying to make the plays happen.”

It could well happen Sunday against Dallas in Seattle. The Cowboys have turned the ball over nine times (five interceptions and four fumbles), and the Seahawks’ three takeaways have all come at home.