SEATTLE -- Are the Seattle Seahawks really this good?

With most of the starters playing for both teams in the first half, the Seahawks embarrassed the Chicago Bears and built a 31-0 lead Friday night en route to a 34-6 victory at CenturyLink Field.

In the first half of the last two preseason games with starters on the field, Seattle outscored the San Diego Chargers and the Bears 55-7. The Seahawks scored on all nine first-half drives in those two games with 510 yards of offense.

And the starting defense looked exceptional against two teams that are considered by most observers to have strong offenses.

Here are some other thoughts on the Seahawks' third preseason game of the year:

• In the first half of the last two games, quarterback Russell Wilson completed 24 of 30 passes for 295 yards with two touchdown throws and three rushing scores. You can't play much better than that. Wilson also played the first series of the third quarter, which seemed to be an unnecessary risk considering the score.

• Jermaine Kearse had four receptions in the first half for 63 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown on a slant route. Percy Harvin had three catches for 61 yards in the first half and also had a 46-yard kickoff return to start the game.

• Running back Marshawn Lynch only played the opening series, but he looked good with three carries for 16 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run.

• The battle for the punt-returner job may be over. Earl Thomas had a 59-yard return in the first half and almost broke it for a TD. He proved he's capable of handling the job and making things happen, but some fans, and even a few of his teammates, don't want to see the All-Pro safety risking injury on punt returns.

• Nickel back Jeremy Lane had his best game of the preseason with six tackles (one on a kickoff) and three passes defensed, including an interception at the 2-yard-line that kept the Bears from scoring in the first half. Lane ran it back 41 yards.

• After fumbling in each of the first two games, running back Christine Michael had no problem keeping it secured this time, along with showing some nice moves. He had 28 yards rushing on eight carries, but also had three receptions for 36 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown catch.

• The only bit of bad news for the Seahawks was several players suffering injuries. Rookie middle linebacker Brock Coyle, who has been the biggest surprise of the summer for Seattle with how well he has played, injured a foot in the first half, but returned late in the game. Safety Jeron Johnson left the game in the third quarter with a foot injury. Tight end Cooper Helfet injured his shoulder in the first half and backup linebacker Heath Farwell appeared injure his leg.

• Three players who had offseason surgery -- strong safety Kam Chancellor, offensive tackle Russell Okung and outside linebacker Malcolm Smith -- all played for the first time since the Super Bowl.