ST. LOUIS -- Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin said the shocking Percy Harvin trade Friday had an impact on the team's slow start Sunday that led to the 28-26 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

"Obviously the shock of the transaction and what took place there made for a bit of an emotional roller coaster," Baldwin said. "When something that drastic happens, right before we get on the bus [to go to the airport for the trip], there is going to be an emotional impact. I felt we handled it to the best of our ability, but I think it might have been a factor in some way."

The Seahawks fell behind, 21-3, and trailed 21-6 at halftime before coming back and making it close in the second half.

"There's obviously a lot of things that went on this week that affected the team in numerous ways," Baldwin said in the locker room after the game. "As a competitor, you don't want to admit those things. But as a human, it is human nature. It took us a little while to get on track. I'm just proud we responded the way we did and fought until the very end."

Baldwin also admitted that he did have a physical altercation with Harvin during the preseason.

"It is true," he said. "However, when you deal with somebody 12-to-14 hours a day, you are going to have issues and conflict, just like any family."

He also was asked about Harvin's other reported altercations with former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate at the Super Bowl and one with quarterback Russell Wilson last week.

"I mean, you guys read the reports," Baldwin said. "I don't think I need to say anything else about it."

Baldwin went on a rant after the loss last week, saying, "We need to quit BS-ing ourselves and get serious." Earlier this week, Baldwin said his teammates know he speaks with a purpose and he backs up what he says. He had his best game of the season Sunday with seven receptions for 123 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown catch.

"I don't really believe in moral victories, but we got back to who we were as an offense," Baldwin said. "We have a lot of things to clean up, but there are a lot of positives we can take out of this game.

"Offensively we got back to what we do. It's completely different than last week [the 30-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys]. I felt we didn't have any growth. This game we could feel the growth in our offense."

The Seahawks couldn't get going until the second half when they outscored the Rams 20-7, but it wasn't enough.