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RENTON, Wash. -- When the Seattle Seahawks released their depth chart for the season opener against Miami, there was a surprising hierarchy at running back.Christine Michael was slotted ahead of Thomas Rawls.Of course, it was an unofficial depth chart, one that coach Pete Carroll joked about being just that on Wednesday. But it was also an affirmation that even though Rawls is expected to be the Seahawks primary ball carrier this season, Michael has done enough since the end of last year to earn himself a share of the time in the backfield.As (offensive coordinator) Darrell Bevell said, `Hes had an awakening, Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said of Michael. Hes always been one of those guys that has always worked at his craft, always asked questions but now hes asking the right questions. Hes matured in that regard and I couldnt be happier for him and his progress.Carroll wasnt willing to break down how the carries will be split on Sunday against the Dolphins. Rawls was a star last season filling in while Marshawn Lynch was injured, running for 830 yards before breaking his ankle in a December game against Baltimore.But the Seahawks wont discount what Michael showed in the preseason. With Rawls still recovering, Michael took the carries against the No. 1 defenses Seattle faced and averaged 6.0 yards per carry. More than anything, that could be why Michael was listed as the starter ahead of Rawls, as a reward for what hes shown so far.Carroll described Rawls status heading into the opener as equivalent to playing his second preseason game. Thats not meant to be an indication of whether Rawls will play, but perhaps a sign that his workload for the opener will be light.Were just going to watch and see how he handles it. Thats all. Just see how he handles it, Carroll said. That would be the only restriction is how hes taking the rigors of the game.And thats not a problem for Seattle with the way Michael has played in the preseason and because his running style is slightly different than Rawls. While Rawls is likely to bounce off defenders running between the tackles, Michael is more apt to make one cut and run through the opening created by the offensive line and use his speed to get into the open field.Having complementary running backs is more the style Carroll likes. His most successful teams in college at USC often featured running backs with differing skills used in a partnership. It was Carroll who adjusted to relying on one primary running back when he saw what Lynch could provide after arriving in a trade from Buffalo early in the 2010 season.I think you get a couple of guys and get that going so you can feed off of those guys. I thought our days at SC really showed that. We had multiple guys that could play with different strengths and sometimes one guy was more effective on a day than the other guys. We never played the favorites. We just played the guy that was hot, Carroll said. So I think the ability to mix guys gives us more flexibility and a higher level of play, too. But I do really appreciate the guy that needs to be out there and stay out there and gets more instinctive as the game goes on, Ive got that understanding, too.Game notes Carroll remained coy Wednesday about the status of TE Jimmy Graham for the opener. His chances are the same. Theyre good, Carroll said. ... Rookie DT Jarran Reed (toe) is expected to play Sunday if he is able to make it through practice this week.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cesar Azpilicueta Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Victor Moses Chelsea Jersey . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. 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ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions go into Sundays game at Houston on a three-game winning streak, all of them at home.Quarterback Matthew Stafford says the team has the same focus it had when it started the season 1-3.Were a pretty business-like team, whether we win or lose, Stafford said. We come in the next week ready to work, no matter what happened the week before or who were playing.That approach will be put to a test when the Lions meet a Texans team that is undefeated at home and coming off a poor performance in a 27-9 loss at Denver on Monday night.Lions coach Jim Caldwell said his teams winning streak is less important than Sundays game.We have a new challenge, he said. Thats what weve got to get focused on. What helps us is what we do this week, and we have to master the moment we have coming up. Its a big game in a tough place to play against a team that has not lost at home. Thats where our focus is.Both teams are 4-3, but more was expected from the Texans, who managed only three field goals against the Broncos.Lions safety Glover Quin has a healthy respect for the Houston offense led by 6-foot-8 quarterback Brock Osweiler and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.When youre that big and have that much arm talent, you can make some throws with the playmakers he has, Quin said. Sometimes you get off to a slow start with new teams and new guys, (but) on any giiven Sunday, they can click, because they definitely have one of the top playmakers in the league.ddddddddddddThe Lions, meanwhile, have been getting stellar play from Stafford in a season where all seven games so far have been decided by seven points or less. In all four wins, Stafford has led his team to come-from-behind victories.Quin said there is confidence in the Lions locker room.Weve had to make plays in critical situations to get wins, he said. Once you start to do that, the trust and chemistry builds, because you see everything working, and players believe in it more.The Lions are on the road the next two weeks before their bye week. Caldwell says avoiding mistakes is crucial.Turnovers, penalties, mistakes, those kinds of things are accentuated on the road, he said. (Houston) has not lost a game in their stadium. It will take a heck of an effort.Game notes Caldwell declined to go into specifics as to why the team traded Kyle Van Noy earlier in the week. Its the best decision for us at this time. (Van Noy) works hard, does what hes asked to do, and sometimes a change of scenery can help. . Stafford, on talk of his being a possible MVP: Its not on my mind. I dont pay attention to it. I just go play for the guys in that locker room. ' ' '