Every week during the regular season we get an opportunity to talk with the opposing head coach via conference call. This week it was Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

Here's what he had to say:

1. The Lions have always been a big-time offense in Carroll's mind, because of the presence of quarterback Matthew Stafford, but whenever a team can add balance, like the Lions now seem to have with a run game led by rookie running back Kerryon Johnson, it makes them that much harder to defend. The added threat of the run for the Lions has made Detroit's offense much tougher to defend in Carroll's opinion.

2. Seattle's gone through a number of changes throughout the years on defense both with coordinators and personnel, yet they continue to be consistently one of the better defensive teams in football year over year. Carroll said it's because they've been able to keep the same principles, beliefs, and philosophy intact, no matter who's running the defense or playing within it.

3. It's taken some time to come to fruition on tape, but Carroll sees the scheme Matt Patricia brought over from New England showing up on tape. Carroll referenced the multiple looks and the confusion the Lions try to create, and says it's obvious from the tape that Patricia has his hands all over a Lions' defense he called very complex.

4. Carroll recruited Lions outside linebacker Devon Kennard when he was coaching at USC, mostly because he liked the competitiveness and versatility Kennard showed. Carroll liked the fact that Kennard was a complete player back then, and sees the same thing in the NFL player he's become.

5. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is running the football much less than he ever has. Wilson still has the green light to take off whenever he wants, Carroll simply pointed to the fact that they're blocking much better upfront in the pass game, and Russell hasn't been forced into scrambling as much.

6. Seattle Pro Bowl linebacker K.J. Wright, who missed the first six games with a knee injury, practiced for the first time since August this week. Carroll is hoping to have him Sunday. Seattle could also have tight end Ed Dickson, who's also been dealing with an injury and returned to practice this week. Dickson had 175 receiving yards against the Lions last season in Detroit playing for the Panthers.

7. What does Carroll see from former Seahawks and current Lions wide receiver Golden Tate?

"Just more of the same. The style that he has always brought," he said. "The run after the catch, the big play ability, exciting player that he's always been. I've always loved Golden as a player and he looks just as good as ever."