Kicker's foot fine, not his hands

SEATTLE - Despite making all three of his field goals, including a season-long 50-yarder, it would have been a sleepless night for placekicker Stephen Gostkowski if the Patriots hadn't rallied for a 24-21 win over the Seahawks.

After Gostkowski hit his second field goal of the game, a 42-yarder with 2:40 left in the third quarter that pulled the Patriots within a point (14-13), his ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Seattle's Josh Wilson. The ball came bounding right to Gostkowski at the Seattle 38, but he couldn't come up with it.

Seattle ended up scoring a touchdown on the possession.

"I kind of dove on it, and I almost like dove past it," said Gostkowski. "I had it, it was like right under me. I turned back to get my hands on it, and I'm pretty sure I got hit by a couple of people. I still almost fought it away from the guy. Maybe my eyes got too big. I tried to do a smart thing and dive on it. I should have stopped and tried to catch it and fall down.

"I'm not going to get too many opportunities like that again. But luckily we ended up winning. I would have been sick if we ended up losing, and I had a chance to get a turnover."

Recovering fumbles is not part of Gostkowski's job description, but that was no excuse.

"I guess if you're there they expect you to get the ball," he said. "I'm sure I'll hear about it [today], but you know I was in the right place at the right time. It's just unfortunate. I had my hands on it and kind of got hit and it got away from me. Maybe one day I'll have another shot at it."

One thing Gostkowski had a shot at was his first 50-yard field goal of the season and on that play he came through, connecting with 48 seconds left in the first half. Gostkowski is now 3 for 3 on 50-yard attempts in his career, including the playoffs.

"It's pretty much assumed that any NFL kicker is going to have the distance for a 50-yard kick," said Gostkowski.

"We usually go back to 53, 55 yards in warmup and just see how far they're going in. Coming up short is usually the last thing I worry about, just accuracy. It's good that they have the confidence to send me out there. It's good to get a long one in."

Rib not tickling
Safety James Sanders left late in the first half with what was announced as a rib injury. But he didn't suffer the injury yesterday.

"It's a long season. I felt a little something last week [against Pittsburgh] and have been getting treatment," said Sanders. "[Yesterday,] it was really bothering me and I had to shut it down."

Sanders was unsure about his availability for the game against the Raiders this Sunday.

"I'm doing all right," said Sanders. "I don't really know what exactly it is. I'll talk to the trainers and talk to [the doctor] and see what's going on and be back when I can be back."

Jordan returns
Running back LaMont Jordan returned to action for the first time since the Patriots' Oct. 5 win over the 49ers.

Jordan, who injured his right calf in that game, missed eight games with the injury. Jordan's first carry came in the second quarter, when he had a 4-yard rush. He fumbled on the play but recovered.

Jordan finished with four rushes for 18 yards.

"He ran hard. I think he got all he could on some of those plays, where honestly it didn't look like he was going to get much of anything," said coach Bill Belichick.

Wilhite draws start
Rookie Jonathan Wilhite drew the start in place of Deltha O'Neal at left cornerback. Wilhite finished with three tackles.

Wilhite, who primarily has played as a nickel corner in the slot this season, said he was ready to play outside. "I practice every week outside," said Wilhite. "I just end up wherever the coaches feel comfortable putting me.

"I have a lot to learn. I think it was a good starting point for me. I think I made a lot of mistakes, but I think I can learn from them. I think I need to watch the film and get better from it, and just learn how to come out and be a starter."

Enthusiasm flagged
Tight end Benjamin Watson drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his celebration following his 2-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Watson was flagged for using the ball as a prop. He placed the pigskin under his jersey, pantomiming being pregnant. It was intended as a friendly hello to his wife, Kirsten, who is expecting the couple's first child in February.

"I have a baby due Feb. 1. It was a little shout-out to my wife back home in New England," said Watson. "It wasn't worth getting a penalty. I didn't know that I would get a flag. I wasn't trying to taunt anybody; that was just to her. It will be a little baby girl."

DeVree gets the call
Rookie tight end Tyson DeVree made his NFL debut yesterday. He was activated over third-year man David Thomas. DeVree played three snaps - as part of the team's three-tight end, goal-line package - which meant he was on the field for Sammy Morris's 1-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal from the 1 in the fourth quarter.

Asked about activating DeVree over Thomas, Belichick said, "I think Ty is working hard, he's making plays in practice, and I think he's earned the opportunity to play a little bit, just in his practice effort and his playmaking in practice."

Warren can't go
The Patriots were without defensive end Ty Warren for the second straight week and the third time in four games. Warren is battling a groin injury that will make his availability an issue on a week-to-week basis. Jarvis Green started in place of Warren as the Patriots opened with 3-4 personnel - three down linemen and four linebackers - but started with a 4-3 alignment . . . Defensive coordinator Dean Pees was back on the sideline calling the game after spending the last two games in the coaches' booth . . . Yesterday's win was the 150th as an NFL head coach (including playoffs) for Belichick . . . The other injury inactives for the Patriots were linebackers Vince Redd (ankle) and Pierre Woods (jaw) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (thigh). Reserve offensive linemen Billy Yates and Wesley Britt were also inactive, and Matt Gutierrez was the third quarterback . . . Seattle was without left tackle Walter Jones (knee) and Matt Hasselbeck was the third quarterback . . . The Patriots won their 14th consecutive regular-season game against an NFC opponent.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com. Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed.