Earl Thomas helped the Seattle Seahawks regain their focus and swagger when he had an outburst at several defensive linemen in a walkthrough on Thursday.

Thomas noticed several of his teammates sharing sunflower seeds in a way that suggested a lack of concentration.

"It started with some remarks, and it turned into something beautiful, man," Thomas said in a private moment at his locker after Seattle (7-4) handed Arizona (9-2) its first defeat since Oct. 5. "I wasn't thinking clearly. I kinda challenged some guys. Maybe it was a little harsh, but I apologized, and it led to something great -- us understanding each other more, and love and togetherness and playing for our brothers.

"I've got to work on my delivery. Some of my leadership skills ... I think I keep it real sometimes too much. But that's how I grow. Whenever I make boneheaded decisions, I learn from it, man. And I think that's a big reason why we played the way we did today."

"Oh, (Earl) said some good stuff at the walkthrough, and he didn't apologize," said All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, Thomas' fellow Legion of Boom mainstay. "It was very specific, more than it's been in a long time."

Sherman wouldn't name the specific individuals to whom Thomas was directing his displeasure, but the cornerback did say, "The ones he was talking to ... they played a hell of a game today."