Super Bowl Preview: Seahawks vs. Broncos

By Jackson Safon

The big game is nearly upon us. Less than 48 hours away. It is Blue Friday and this city is gearing up for its biggest game since February 5, 2006. So naturally I, along with everyone else, will continue to analyze and analyze until it is finally time to snap the ball and watch the game play out. Because I am sure you have read plenty of Super Bowl coverage, I will start out with one of the most under-covered, yet most important details of the big game. The jerseys. Because it is the AFC’s year to be “home”, the Broncos got first choice at the jersey they want to wear, and they chose their home orange. Not only is this a perfect chance to try and popularize the nickname “Orange Julius” for Julius Thomas, it allows the Seahawks to create the best possible uniform combination they have: White tops and blue bottoms. They are my absolute favorite jersey combo the ‘Hawks have and I was giddy when I found out it was what they are wearing. Yes, giddy about a jersey choice.

The game itself is shaping up to be an outstanding one. Even if you have not read my statistical analysis from earlier this week, or any other Super Bowl coverage for that matter, you probably know that the matchups between the two teams are perfect. Best offense vs. best defense. Best quarterback vs. best secondary. Both teams match up great for one another, which means it is going to be an awesome game. Something has to give however and it will be fascinating to see which side slips up first. Both teams will most likely have to make plays with the part of their offense that is the weaker link, rushing for the Broncos and passing for the Seahawks. In any case, a positional group comparison is another way to analyze the two teams and try and predict the unpredictable.

Quarterbacks:

Russell Wilson vs. Peyton Manning

Russell Wilson is an outstanding second year quarterback who has been breaking records left and right for young quarterbacks. He could end up being the best player in Seahawks history and potentially even in Seattle history. But Peyton Manning had the best season of any quarterback in NFL history. Even if he isn’t the best of all time, he is the best of right now, and no doubt takes the cake against Wilson. Seahawks: 0 Broncos: 1

Marshawn Lynch in the open field is scary.
AP Photo

Running Backs:

Marshawn Lynch/Robert Turbin vs. Knowshon Moreno/Montee Ball

Moreno had almost 1,600 all-purpose yards this season and 13 touchdowns to boot. Marshawn Lynch had almost the exact same amount of yards and only one more touchdown. Numbers never lie they say? Well they do in this case, because Marshawn Lynch is a better running back than Knowshon Moreno and everyone knows it. Montee Ball had a relatively strong rookie campaign and has showed flashes of greatness, but this category absolutely goes to BeastMode and the ‘Hawks. Seahawks: 1 Broncos: 1

Wide Receivers:

Percy Harvin/Golden Tate/Doug Baldwin vs. Demaryius Thomas/Eric Decker/Wes Welker

Percy Harvin will play and he will start and he will not miss a snap and he will win the Super Bowl MVP and he will save the world. Not quite, but he has been practicing at full-speed all week and expects to play a full complement of snaps. Here’s to every Seahawk fan out there who will be holding their breath the first time he touches the ball, not because of nervousness, but because of the fear that their breathing itself could actually cause Percy Harvin to get hurt. He is one of the most electric players in the NFL when healthy so let’s just hope he can stay that way. Golden Tate is the leading NFL receiver in forced missed tackles, and Doug Baldwin is turning into an absolute baller. The Broncos’ receiving corps however is probably the best in the league. Is Eric Decker a bit overrated? Probably. Are their numbers inflated by Manning’s ridiculousness? Obviously. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that they are all very talented. Demaryius Thomas is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the NFL, Eric Decker is a very strong all-around receiver, and Wes Welker could be the best slot receiver of all-time. Broncos. Seahawks: 1 Broncos: 2

Tight Ends:

Julius Thomas and Peyton Manning could prove to be a lethal combo.
Fancloud

Zach Miller/Luke Willson vs. Orange Julius/Jacob Tamme

Zach Miller was a star in Oakland, but has become one of, if not the most overpaid player on the Seahawks roster. When he’s running with the ball it almost seems as if he’s wearing lead ankle-weights. Luke Willson on the other hand is one of my favorite young Seahawks. He is a really quick player with good hands. Orange Julius Thomas is one of the new breed of former basketball players turned NFL tight ends. He is 6 foot 5 inches, 250 pounds and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. He is electric, and has become one of the tougher to defend young tight ends in the game. Seahawks: 1 Broncos: 3

Offensive Line:

The Seahawks offensive line is rated as the worst pass-blocking line in the NFL according to Football Outsiders, while the Broncos are the best in that category. Additionally, FO rates the Broncos run-blocking line as better than the ‘Hawks as well. They have worked well together the entire season and are just a better unit than that Seahawks have right now. Seahawks: 1 Broncos: 4

Defensive Line:

The interior part of the Broncos defensive line is one of the better in the league, as Sylvester Williams and Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton are a pair of monster run stoppers. Shaun Phillips on the outside is a veteran who is still performing at a pretty high level as well. The Seahawks however have the best defensive line in all of football as I have detailed before. They have pass-rushers in Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril. Run stoppers in Red Bryant and Brandon Mebane. Plus they have guys that can do both in Michael Bennett and Clinton McDonald. Unbelievably talented and deep group. Seahawks: 2 Broncos: 4

Linebackers:

The Seahawks have an unbelievable set of four linebackers right now in Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Malcolm Smith, and K.J. Wright. With Wright fully healthy, I’m not sure how Pete Carroll and the coaching staff will decide who to start between Smith and Wright. Bobby Wagner is playing at a pro-bowl level, Malcolm Smith is playing out of his mind, Bruce Irvin is still a deadly pass-rusher, and K.J. Wright could be the most complete linebacker on the team. The Broncos have some good backers as well in Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan, but they simply don’t stack up with the ‘Hawks unit at all. Seahawks: 3 Broncos: 4

K.J. Wright should be back up to 100% as he has had two full weeks to rest his foot.
USA Today Sports

Secondary:

The Seahawks’ best single positional group, and probably the Broncos’ worst. Go Hawks. Seahawks: 4 Broncos: 4

Special Teams:

This is actually a very close matchup and one that could prove key in the Super Bowl. Both teams are obviously outstanding, so every single edge will be important, whether it be field position, clutch kicking, or the return game. Steven Hauschka and Matt Prater are two of the best kickers in the NFL, but because of Prater’s better range, I will give him the nod. Jon Ryan and Britton Colquitt are a pair of outstanding punters, but Ryan has been slightly better in most statistical categories. The return game could play a huge part as well, as the Broncos allow the most kick return yards in the NFL. Welcome back Mr. Harvin. Trindon Holliday, the returner for the Broncos is no slouch however, he has broken big returns in big moments throughout his young career. On paper this category is a wash, but whoever wins this part of the game could serve to have a huge advantage. Seahawks: 5 Broncos: 5

Coaching:

Both Pete Carroll and Jon Fox coached together as assistants on the Iowa State football team, and both have become very successful head coaches in their own right. Darrell Bevell and Adam Gase are the offensive coordinators, and Bevell it seems has reigned in Russell Wilson’s play, which has been frustrating to see. Because of this, and because of Gase’s willingness to let their offense loose, I think the Broncos get a slight nod in this category. Seahawks: 5 Broncos: 6

The Broncos have a slight edge in positional groupings, but I think this is as close of a matchup as you can get. Both teams have some of the all-time best units in the Broncos offense and Seahawks defense. Russell Wilson will have to make some plays, whether it be with his legs or his arm, in order for the Seahawks to win this game. Winning the turnover battle will be key, winning the explosive play battle will be key, and taking advantage of opportunities will be key. I am nervous and excited. Less than 48 hours. Cautiously predicting a Seahawks win 27-24.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Are NFC Champs

By Jackson Safon

In an unbelievable game, the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in the NFC Championship and are now headed to New York for Super Bowl XLVIII. First of all, props to the Niners on a great season and a great game, they battled hard and were close to winning that game. As much as Seattle hates Kaepernick, he played an outstanding game through three quarters and isn’t going away any time soon. The Seahawks however closed the game much better than the Niners, forcing three turnovers in the fourth quarter and outscoring San Francisco 10-0 in the final frame. So many contributors on both sides of the ball, so many big plays, and so many lucky bounces for both teams: unbelievable game that 100% lived up to the hype.

1. Seahawks’ biggest strength holds true

Seattle’s defense was its staple all year and it showed through when it mattered most, the fourth quarter. Zero points and three turnovers. That is dominance in the clutch. So many players came up big it’s hard to quantify and hard to name them all, but a few that come to mind are Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor, and Michael Bennett. Those three guys played out of their minds, and did so at all different levels of the defense. Bennett was the most consistent pass-rusher the ‘Hawks had today and came up with a strip sack as well as the fumble recovery on the ASS (Avril Strip Sack, credit to @HawkBlogger). Wagner was a run stopper extraordinaire throughout the whole game, helping hold Frank Gore to 14 rushes on 11 carries, and Chancellor laid the wood a few times as well as came up with a big interception. Kaepernick played great for most of the game and was virtually unstoppable when pulling it down and running, but the defense was too much for him in the end and Sherman’s tip to Malcolm Smith (reminiscent of his tip to Earl Thomas earlier in the year) sealed the game.   

Kam Chancellor came up with a huge interception in the fourth quarter.

SFGate.com

2. Three offensive stars

Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, and Marshawn Lynch led the offense to its best showing in weeks. Wilson struggled a bit early, but eventually hit the big play to Baldwin down the field and most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over after the first play where he was stripped by Aldon Smith. Baldwin was my prediction for offensive player of the game and he didn’t disappoint with six catches for 106 yards as well as 109 return yards. Marshawn Lynch however was truly the best offensive player on the ‘Hawks, as he has been all season. While I didn’t think his late touchdown run against the Saints deserved the title “BeastQuake 2.0”, his 40 yard touchdown run yesterday absolutely can claim that title. It was the longest run against the 49ers in the Jim Harbaugh era and Lynch broke the Niners streak of 22 straight games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. While 23 points will probably not be enough to beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl, the offense took massive steps to get back to where we are accustomed to seeing it.

Doug Baldwin had the best game of his career on Sunday night.

SFExaminer

3. Ten Stats/plays that stood out

-Frank Gore: 11 rushes for 14 yards

-Colin Kaepernick 11 rushes for 130 yards

-Three turnovers in the fourth quarter for the 49ers.

-51 yard completion to Baldwin relatively early in the game: I thought this gave the offense confidence it hadn’t had in weeks.

-Marshawn Lynch 22 rushes for 109 yards (4.95 yards per carry).

-Russell Wilson 5 rushes for 0 yards, Darrell Bevell needs to let him loose in the Super Bowl.

-Decision to go for it on 4^th and 7 instead of kick a 52 yard field goal. Not the call I would’ve made but had faith in Carroll once it was made.

-Both teams had the exact same number of total yards: 308.

-Luck factor seemed to be even, both teams had weird bounces and plays go their way (fumbles bounced the Niners way until Bowman injury/strip).

-Percy Harvin is coming back.

4. Initial Super Bowl Thoughts

The Seahawks will face Peyton Manning and the Broncos in two weeks and they will have to try and slow down the best offense in the history of the NFL. Peyton Manning had more passing touchdowns than any other team had TOTAL touchdowns. He broke the passing yardage record. They had five position players with double digit touchdowns. The gap between their offense and the second best offense (Bears) in points per game was about the same gap as between the second place offense and the second worst offense (Texans). Their offense is ridiculous and can score on you in any and every way imaginable. Yet all that being said, I think the Seahawks match up PERFECTLY to stop them. They have a shutdown group of defensive backs to slow down the electric set of receivers the Broncos have, they can put pressure on the quarterback with just four rushers, and they have the ability to stop the run as well. The offense will have to perform a bit better, but the Broncos haven’t faced a defense even close to what they are going to see in the Super Bowl.

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NFC Championship Preview: 49ers at Seahawks

By Jackson Safon

The Seahawks have made it one step further than they did last year and are now one more step away from the Super Bowl. It wasn’t as easy as many thought it would be against the Saints, as the second half left many ‘Hawks fans giving their chairs the death grip. The Saints battled back for much of the second half and were one bonehead play from Marques Colston away from having a chance to tie the game. Now it is onto the 49ers. This seems like how it was meant to be. I don’t throw out words like this all that often but it almost seems like destiny. These are the two best teams in the NFC and arguably the two best teams in the NFL so it is more than right that they are the last two teams in the NFC. These teams know each other very well so expect it to be a battle from the get-go. In playoff games and in rivalry playoff games especially, there is no true way to predict what will happen. Rushing yards, passing yards, turnovers, field position, special teams, defense, and much more. Every single thing will count in this game so there is no true way to predict how it will go or what will be the keys. Even so, I will do my best to compare the two teams and go from there.

Quarterbacks:

Russell Wilson vs. Colin Kaepernick

I know it isn’t what many Seahawks fans want to hear but right now, Colin Kaepernick is playing better than Russell Wilson. Harass me if you’d like (we love comments here at the sports soup). But in all seriousness Colin Kaepernick has played outstanding football as of late and Russell Wilson has done quite the opposite. Wilson played better throughout the regular season, but we are in the playoffs now, and Kaepernick is 4-1 in his playoff career with his only loss being last year’s Super Bowl. I wholeheartedly expect Russell to turn it around and rebound off his poor performance, but as of this moment Kaepernick is the better quarterback.

Seahawks: 0 49ers: 1

There's no doubt Colin Kaepernick is playing better football than Russell Wilson right now.

Associated Press

Running Backs:

Marshawn Lynch/Robert Turbin vs. Frank Gore/Kendall Hunter

Gore is getting old and Lynch is arguably the best running back in the NFL. He is the league leader in forced missed tackles in a league with Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, and LeSean McCoy. Lynch’s hands are also supremely underrated. Edge goes to the ‘Hawks.

Seahawks: 1 49ers: 1

Wide Receivers:

Golden Tate/Doug Baldwin/Jermaine Kearse vs. Michael Crabtree/Anquan Boldin

I do not expect Percy Harvin to play after getting a concussion in the early parts of Saturday’s game against the Saints and neither should you. It is possible yes, but unlikely, and if you think this way then him playing will be a happy surprise. That leaves the receiving corps of the Seahawks back to where it started, with some quality players but players that at times have trouble getting separation from defensive backs. Compared to the two elite receivers the Niners have in Crabtree and Boldin, they just don’t stack up. Crabtree and Boldin complement each other perfectly and are both extremely dangerous in their own ways. I am significantly more scared of both of those players than I am of any Seahawks receiver. Seahawks: 1 49ers: 2

Tight Ends:

Zach Miller/Luke Willson vs. Vernon Davis/Vance McDonald

Vernon Davis is an absolute monster. He is the most physically gifted playmaker the 49ers have on a team with Crabtree and Boldin. Davis is the fastest receiver the Niners have and is the same height and 18 pounds heavier than Kam Chancellor. Dude is big. As for Vance McDonald, he is the player that the Seahawks actually wanted to draft, but his evaluation was just too high so the ‘Hawks decided to pass and get Luke Willson a few rounds later. I much prefer this value but in terms of pure talent McDonald likely beats out Willson. Niners in a LANDSLIDE. Seahawks: 1 49ers: 3

Offensive Line:

As I explained last week, the Seahawks seem to have an above average offensive line. Max Unger and Russell Okung are both pro-bowlers, and Breno Giacomini is a versatile and skilled tackle opposite Okung. Additionally, Michael Bowie has been thrust into the starting left guard role and really flourished, showing much better skills than James Carpenter and Paul McQuistan. All that being said, the 49ers have one of the better offensive lines in all of football. Joe Staley at left tackle and Mike Iupati at left guard make up arguably the best left side of an offensive line in football, perhaps only rivaled by the Patriots’ left side. Their center Jonathan Goodwin and two right side of the line players in Alex Boone and Anthony Davis are all above average as well, and their run-blocking skills are just superb. Nod goes to the Niners.

Seahawks: 1 49ers: 4

Defensive Line:

Ooh baby this is a fun category to compare. The 49ers defensive line is headlined by Justin Smith, the most dominant inside defensive lineman in football (except when Vince Wilfork is healthy). Ray McDonald and Glenn Dorsey are the other two linemen in the 49ers 3-4 defense and they are fantastic players as well. But as I said last week, the Seahawks have the best and deepest defensive line in all of football. You want run stoppers, here’s Red Bryant, Tony McDaniel, and Brandon Mebane. Pass rushers you say? Well BAM, here’s Michael Bennett, Chris Clemons, and Cliff Avril coming at you. To add even more depth, I didn’t even list Jordan Hill and Clinton McDonald who are both promising young inside defensive linemen. Seahawks with ease. Seahawks: 2 49ers: 4

Michael Bennett has been the third best player on the Seahawks' defense this year.

Charlotte Observer/Getty Images

Linebackers:

This will be the closest one yet. I am smiling as I write this because both teams have so many unbelievable young players at the different linebacker positions. Let’s start with the hometown Seahawks. Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, and Malcolm Smith have been the starters the past few games with K.J. Wright out. Irvin is a pass rushing extraordinaire, Bobby Wagner has been playing at an All-Pro level, and Malcolm Smith has been playing out of his mind in replacement duty. Plus, there is a pretty decent chance that K.J. Wright makes it back this week. That is a very high quality linebacking corps. But the 49ers. Man they are loaded. Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman are two of the best inside linebackers in football. Aldon Smith is one of the best pass rushers in football. And lesser known Ahmad Brooks is just as good as all of them. Never mind Dan Skuta who played unbelievable in backup duty when Aldon Smith was not with the team. The Seahawks linebackers are great, but the 49ers linebackers are the best.

Seahawks: 2 49ers: 5

Secondary:

I’m sure you already know the members of the Seahawks secondary so let me detail the Niners defensive backs. Eric Reid is one of the best young safeties in the game and Donte Whitner tried to change his last name to “Hitner” so that should tell you enough about him. The cornerbacks are the weak spot of their secondary however. Carlos Rogers is a very good player, but their right corner has been a revolving door with Tarell Brown, Eric Wright, and Tremaine Brock all getting time. Their unit is good but not as good as the L.O.B. Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman are both DPOY candidates. Kam Chancellor is an animal at strong safety. Byron Maxwell has been the best corner in the entire NFL if the sample size is lowered to 500 snaps instead of 1000 (when it is Richard Sherman). These guys are the best there is. Plain and simple. Seahawks: 3 49ers: 5

Richard Sherman might have to make a play in this one for the Seahawks to win.

FOX Sports

Special Teams:

I’ve said it all year but the Seahawks have the best special teams unit in the NFL. Hauschka is a money kicker, Jon Ryan has a cannon of a leg, and Golden Tate is an electric punt returner. The missing piece to the puzzle was Percy Harvin returning kicks, but that seems to be off the board at this point. No matter, the 49ers just don’t have enough to compete in this category. Seahawks: 4 49ers: 5

Coaching (I added this one, not sure why I left it out before):

Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh. Rivals in college and rivals in the NFL. Both guys are very high energy and seem to have a knack for coaching up strong defenses no matter where they are. I know that Harbaugh is a much more annoying character but that doesn’t make him less of a coach. I’m going to call this one a wash. Seahawks: 5 49ers: 6

The Niners have the edge in simple X’s and O’s position comparisons, but that doesn’t mean they are the better team. They are the better team right now, but position comparisons aren’t what proves that. If you have watched both teams recently, it is pretty clear that the ‘Hawks offense is in the dumpster, and if it doesn’t turn around the 49ers will win the game. Plain and simple. The 49ers are playing very high quality football right now and are the better team at this moment. It will be a great game no doubt and I just get the feeling that whichever quarterback has a better game, will lead his team to a victory. Hopefully and nervously predicting a Seahawks victory 20-19.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Escape Saints’ Grasp

By Jackson Safon

The Seahawks grinded out a 23-15 win against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday and then watched the 49ers manhandle Cam Newton in the second half of that game to collect a 23-10 win against the Panthers. This means that it will be Seahawks vs. 49ers 3.0 this Sunday for the NFC Championship. There is little doubt in anyone’s minds that these are the two best teams in the NFC and on Sunday, at 3:30 Pacific Time, the Clink will be rocking as the divisional foes face off for a trip to the Super Bowl. Looking ahead to that game comes later in the week however as first a serious conversation needs to be had about the Seahawks game against the Saints.

Steven Hauschka came up clutch once again for the Seahawks.

OregonLive.com

1. Umm…trust in Russ?

Russell Wilson was 9/18 throwing for 103 yards through the air and only contributing 16 more on the ground. In Wilson’s professional career this was his worst game in terms of passing yards and fifth worst game in terms of completion percentage. The passing game was stagnant throughout the entire game and Wilson only had two completions in the second half. Two. That is not to say the struggles in the passing game were all his fault however, as the receivers failed to get consistent separation, the offensive line played sub-par, and the weather was a huge factor. That being said, it was arguably the worst we have ever seen Russell Wilson play and it is coming at the worst possible time. The early forecast for Sunday’s game is mid-40’s and a 40% chance of rain. It shouldn’t be as bad as this past weekend, but shouldn’t the weather at home be working in our favor instead of against it? I believe Wilson will be able to turn it around, but if he can’t, there is virtually no way that the ‘Hawks beat the Niners.

2. Marshaaaaaaaaawn Lynch!

Beastmode was in full effect on Saturday to the tune of 140 yards and two touchdowns for Lynch including the nail-in-the-coffin 31-yard touchdown run at the end of the game that registered on the Richter scale. Lynch was basically the entire offense on Saturday and he will have to have a similar performance on Sunday against the 49ers. Maybe it was the unveiling of the “Beast Burger” at Century Link (if you haven’t seen it, look it up hint: it is served with skittles), or perhaps it was the Top Pot Donuts he ate before the game. Whatever the reason, Lynch came to play in a big way, something he had been struggling to do at the end of the regular season. With the passing game struggling as mightily as it is, expect to see Lynch with another full workload this weekend.

Marshawn Lynch had yet another dominating performance against the Saints on Saturday.

WCBSports

3. Dougie Fresh

Doug freaking Baldwin came up with another huge play on Saturday as he has done all season for the ‘Hawks. Late in the game when we needed it most, Russell Wilson delivered a dime of a throw down the left side line and Baldwin showed incredible body control twisting to get both feet down and essentially ice the game. Baldwin has come up big for the Seahawks time after time and with Percy Harvin unable to stay healthy it can be argued Baldwin is the most complete receiver for the ‘Hawks right now. Wherever he ranks, it is clear he has the clutch gene and I expect to see a couple more big catches against the 49ers.

4. Tale of two halves for the defense

In the first half, Drew Brees was awful, missing throws by a lot and was clearly rattled by the weather as well Seattle’s defense. In the second half however the Seahawks’ defense couldn’t get any pressure on Brees and he picked apart the secondary like it was practice. He finished with 309 yards and no interceptions which is something Earl Thomas and the Legion of Boom cannot be happy about. Colin Kaepernick is no Drew Brees when it comes to throwing the ball, but if the defense plays as lackluster as it did in the second half against the Saints, watch out.

5. Saints go marching out, 49ers come rushing(?) in

It is time for the rubber game. Seahawks vs. 49ers 3.0. This time there is a lot more than a division title on the line however as the winner obviously gets a trip to New Jersey to play in the Super Bowl. There is no doubt it will be a hard-fought game and it will be much closer than the two previous blowouts at the Clink. A playoff preview will be coming later in the week, but expect a tight one in Seattle on Sunday.

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Divisional Round Playoff Preview: Saints at Seahawks

By Jackson Safon

After beating the Eagles 26-24, the Saints have earned a trip to Seattle for a playoff matchup against the Seahawks on Saturday with kickoff at 1:35 PM. As most know, this will be the second time the Saints will travel to Seattle this season as in week 13 the Saints came to the Clink and got drubbed, 34-7. This weekend’s game will no doubt be different however as everything ramps up in the playoffs. The Seahawks are no doubt the better team, but as the 7-9 ‘Hawks learned in 2011, anything can happen in the playoffs. For this very reason, the Seahawks should not and will not take the Saints lightly, who are capable of beating any team at any time behind their veteran leader Drew Brees. To take the analysis to a whole new level I will compare each position grouping to each other, as I did in the playoffs last season.

Quarterbacks:

Russell Wilson vs. Drew Brees

Drew Brees is a seasoned veteran at this point in his career and he has been elite ever since he came to New Orleans. Brees set the NFL passing yards record last season and is surrounded by a dynamic cast of playmakers which means he can create a big play at any time. Russell Wilson on the other hand is only in his second season and does most of his play-making on his own, without an elite receiving corps. I believe that the Seahawks receivers are significantly underrated, but they are still not elite, and much of the success of the Seahawks passing game comes from the play action and Russell Wilson making great throws into tight windows. Both quarterbacks have different styles but have been compared endlessly because of their similar heights. Drew Brees is one of the few truly “elite” quarterbacks in the NFL, but because Wilson is playing at home I will call this one a push. Seahawks: 1 Saints: 1

Drew Brees is the unquestionable leader of this Saints team.

Let's Move

Running Backs:

Marshawn Lynch/Robert Turbin vs. Pierre Thomas/Darren Sproles/Mark Ingram

Pierre Thomas missed Saturday’s Wild Card game because of a chest injury and should be considered questionable for the upcoming game against the Seahawks, but when he does play, he is a very solid and underrated all-around back. Marshawn Lynch is one of the most complete running backs in the NFL with a bruising style and highly underrated pass-catching ability. Robert Turbin and Mark Ingram are similar downhill runners with Ingram having slightly more explosiveness. Darren Sproles is an x-factor and one of my favorite players to watch, but the Saints don’t seem to utilize him as much as they could. If he played more snaps I would give this to the Saints but because of his limited playing time and Thomas’ injury, this grouping goes to Lynch and the ‘Hawks. Seahawks: 2 Saints: 1

Wide Receivers:

Percy Harvin/Golden Tate/Doug Baldwin vs. Marques Colston/Kenny Stills/Lance Moore

This is an interesting one because Percy Harvin’s health is a bit of a wild card. If Harvin plays and is 100% it would be hard to argue against the Seahawks receiving corps, but if Harvin has to be replaced with Jermaine Kearse, the debate becomes much closer. Marques Colston is aging, but he is still a big and physical receiver with great hands and an even better rapport with Drew Brees. Kenny Stills is a young speedster out of Oklahoma who can truly take the cap off a defense, and Lance Moore is a dependable slot receiver who has been a favorite target of Drew Brees for years. I have a gut feeling that Percy Harvin plays however and I also don’t think the dynamic Golden Tate and always dependable Doug Baldwin are chopped liver. Baldwin is not talked about nearly enough and I think he has a big game. Receiver nod goes to the ‘Hawks. Seahawks: 3 Saints: 1

Tight Ends:

Zach Miller/Luke Willson vs. Jimmy Graham/Ben Watson

Jimmy Graham. If that isn’t enough, check this video out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP6d3-RT2Zw. Seahawks: 3 Saints: 2

Jimmy Graham is the best tight end in the NFC.

WBRZ.com

Offensive Line:

The Saints offensive line is led by multiple time pro-bowler Jahri Evans at right guard, but the Seahawks line has multiple All-Pro’s in Max Unger and Russell Okung. Breno Giacomini is no slouch either on the opposite tackle of Okung. The Saints offensive line does a good job of protecting Drew Brees and they really outmuscled the Eagles defensive front in the run game on Saturday, but they don’t stack up to the Seahawks o-line. Seahawks: 4 Saints: 2

Defensive Line:

Cameron Jordan is having an outstanding season for the Saints as he is top five in the NFL in sacks, but he is the only true stud on the Saints d-line, whereas the ‘Hawks line doesn’t really have any holes. Michael Bennett, Tony McDaniel, and Brandon Mebane on the inside create an insane amount of inside pressure while Red Bryant, Chris Clemons, and Cliff Avril are just as relentless on the outside. The ‘Hawks are very deep at all d-line positions and have run stoppers as well as pass-rushers. Seahawks: 5 Saints: 2

Cliff Avril could have huge game, just like he did in the teams' first match-up this year.

Bleacher Report

Linebackers:

The Seahawks linebacking corps is very strong with Bobby Wagner in the middle flanked by Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith. Irvin is a pass-rushing extraordinaire while Wagner and Smith are versatile and can succeed in all parts of the game. The ‘Hawks have lost K.J. Wright however to a foot injury and it doesn’t look like he will be back for this Saturday’s game. While Malcolm Smith has filled in admirably, he is not the same as Wright, who is often called the “screen sniffer”. This will be a big loss in this game especially as the Saints are particularly effective in the screen game with both Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. The Saints linebackers are pretty dang strong as well led by veterans Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne on the inside, as well as pass-rusher Junior Galette on the outside. These guys have been playing well as a unit and because of the ‘Hawks loss of K.J. Wright, I would call this one a tie. Seahawks: 6 Saints: 3

Secondary:

The Saints secondary has been held intact most of the season by terrific rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro, but now that he is out with an injury they are just a bunch of guys back there. The Seahawks on the other hand have the best secondary in the league and have the stats to prove it, leading the league in passing yards allowed and interceptions. Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman are both DPOY candidates and anchor a secondary that is unmatched in today’s NFL. Seahawks: 7 Saints: 3

Special Teams:

The Seahawks have the best special teams unit in the NFL and it isn’t close. Steven Hauschka is one of the best kickers, Jon Ryan is one of the best punters, and their kickoff and kick return coverage is spectacular. No contest. Seahawks: 8 Saints: 3

Obviously the Seahawks have better position groups and are simply a more talented team as a whole, but in the playoffs anything can happen. And while I know the Clink is in a league of its own, it took a miraculous Andrew Luck comeback to prevent the home teams from going 0-4 in the wild card round. Just a thought. Expect this game to be closer than the week 13 contest but the ‘Hawks will still come out with a victory. 27-16.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Dominate the Giants

By Jackson Safon

Yesterday the Seahawks went on the road to play a team that has nothing to lose at a 10:00 AM start time. Generally that is a recipe for disaster, but the Giants simply aren’t that good and the ‘Hawks were too much for them. The Seahawks won 23-0 and it should’ve been a lot closer to 40-0, but a win is a win and a shutout is nothing to cry about. This win moves the Seahawks to 12-2, which includes 6-2 on the road and a fantastic 4-1 in 10:00 AM starts. Those are two categories that many ‘Hawks fans were worried about going into this season but Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have silenced all of the doubters.

1. Defense was dominant

There will be people out there who say the Seahawks defense was only dominant because the Giants offense is terrible. Part of that is true, but it is very difficult to shut out an NFL football team for a number of reasons. The Seahawks went into New York and held the Giants offense to 25 yards rushing and only 156 yards passing. Not to mention the five interceptions, yes five, and the four sacks. The Giants only had 12 first downs in this game and a few of them came when the game was already in hand. Absolute domination by the defense as a whole, but a special shout out to Byron Maxwell who has played lights out since taking over for the injured Brandon Browner.

2. Offense was…good enough

The Seahawks put up 23 points and scored on five different drives, but this was not nearly the offense we as fans are accustomed to seeing. Russell Wilson only averaged 7.6 yards per attempt and Marshawn Lynch averaged under three yards per carry. The Giants defense is no joke but the offensive performance was still not where it has to be going forward.  Doug Baldwin and Marshawn Lynch had good receiving days, but Golden Tate uncharacteristically missed on three potential deep balls. Obviously the offense played good enough to win this game but the unit needs to perform better as a whole going forward.

3. Special Teams is consistently the best

Reuben Randle had the first punt return against the Seahawks in months, and his return of four yards bumped the total allowed by the ‘Hawks to 19. In other words, the Seahawks punt unit is having one of the best seasons in the history of the NFL. Furthermore, Steven Hauschka continues his fantastic season, knocking in all three of his field goals. Hauschka has been so good that the only field goal he has missed was the one the ‘Hawks had blocked in the Colts game. Just an unbelievable year.

Steven Hauschka is a Pro-Bowl caliber kicker.

Seahawks.com

4. Penalties

The Seahawks had 8 penalties for 50 yards. The yardage total isn’t terrible, but the penalties show a lack of discipline that is almost never present in Super Bowl champions. I have no doubt the Seahawks have the potential to make it to the Super Bowl, but lack of discipline is one of the things that could possibly derail them.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Suffer Tough Loss at the Hands of the 49ers

By Jackson Safon

The Seahawks received their second loss of the season yesterday and this time it was at the hands of their division rival the San Francisco 49ers. In a low-scoring game the Seahawks beat themselves with ugly play in the first quarter and with penalties throughout the game. The 49ers played a strong game on all accounts and deserved to win that game. Although a loss is never what you want, this one could be just what the ‘Hawks need to spark them to a strong finish to the season.

1. Can’t beat yourself

The Seahawks had nine penalties for 85 yards and had a punt blocked in the first quarter that led to a 49ers field goal. It is tough to expect a win with close to 100 penalty yards and a mistake as drastic as a blocked punt from the ‘Hawks own 17 yard line. Although the defense was stout for most of the game, the ‘Hawks could not overcome the abundance of penalties they received. The lack of discipline the Seahawks showed yesterday is one of the few things that can hold this team from a berth in the Super Bowl so it needs to be fixed and it needs to be fixed quickly.

2. Can we have Percy back?

Coming into yesterday’s game, the Seahawks offense had scored the second most points in the NFL and had done so relatively easily. This game however was a completely different story as they only totaled 13 first downs and 264 yards. The 49ers have one of the better defenses in the NFL but that does not mean the ‘Hawks should look as inept on offense as they did. Although Seattle has had a high scoring offense throughout the season, I thought yesterday they missed the presence of an electric player like Percy Harvin. Yes, Marshawn Lynch and Golden Tate are both dynamic players, but Harvin is a hybrid of both of those players, which the elusiveness of Tate and the strength of Lynch. Having him as part of the offense yesterday would have made it a completely different game.

Gangster Harvin needs to make a return to the playing field this season.

Concord Monitor

3. No need to panic

This loss means that the Seahawks are now only one game ahead of New Orleans for first place in the NFC, but there is still no reason to panic. First of all, the ‘Hawks hold the head-to-head tiebreaker which essentially means they are up two games, and second of all the Saints still have to play the Panthers in Carolina and the ‘Hawks have two of their remaining three games at home. This was the first time this season where the opposing team actually played well enough to beat the ‘Hawks so I do not think there is any reason to be concerned about getting the top seed in the NFC.

4. Injuries…time to panic?

Of course not. Max Unger left the game with a “chest injury” that seems to be a left pectoral injury and K.J. Wright left the game with what ended up being a broken foot which could sideline him for up to six weeks. Unger remains week-to-week at this point, but with only three more weeks remaining in the regular season, losing Wright to a six week injury could be detrimental. Malcolm Smith will take Wright’s place in the starting lineup and he is more than capable, but he is not K.J. Wright, who has been playing magnificently as of late. Wright tweeted out that he expects to be ready for the playoffs, but that seems like a bit of a stretch to me. That being said, because the ‘Hawks will almost assuredly have a first round bye, it is possible that Wright makes it back for their first playoff game and if not, he should be back in time for the NFC Championship, if the Seahawks were to make it that far. Because the ‘Hawks shouldn’t have a big problem keeping the number one seed in the NFC, there is no need to panic about these injuries.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Dominate Saints on Monday Night Football

By Jackson Safon

Your Seattle Seahawks just dismantled the number two team in the NFC. Absolutely dismantled them. The ‘Hawks were dominant in every phase of the game and the score reflected that, with Seattle winning 34-7. The Seahawks now jump even farther ahead in the race for the number one seed in the NFC and can clinch the NFC West with a win over the 49ers next week. Furthermore, the Seahawks are now the first team to clinch a playoff spot. I expected the ‘Hawks to win this game, but I never would have guessed it would've been in beat-down fashion like this one was.

1. Russell Wilson is perfect (or as close to it as an athlete can come)

The magician can do no wrong. Wilson closed this game with 47 rushing yards to go along with 22/30 for 310 yards and three touchdowns. He was flawless. Delivering every pass where it had to be from the dime down the left sideline to Baldwin to the laser, back shoulder throw to Kearse. Russell Wilson can do no wrong and it is all coming together at the right time. He finished with his second highest passing yardage total of the season, but it wasn’t just the total he amassed, but the way he did it. Wilson played with poise, tenacity, and the occasional flair as he added to his total of “Houdini’s” tonight. I’m not even sure if the city of Seattle deserves Russell Wilson, but we sure are glad to have him.

2. Best defensive effort of the season

The Seahawks held the third highest scoring offense in the NFL to seven points. Seven. And they held one of the top four quarterbacks in the NFL and the holder of the NFL record for most passing yards in a season to 147 yards. They also had constant pressure on Drew Brees and one of such occasions led to a sack-fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The two newbie’s combined on the play as Cliff Avril had the sack and Michael Bennett returned the fumble back for the touchdown. The defense held a team that averaged 415 yards a game to a mere 188. Byron Maxwell played outstanding. He has been a difference maker since taking over the number two cornerback role from Brandon Browner. He put in a great performance but he was not the only one. Earl Thomas played well, K.J. Wright played well, Clinton McDonald played well. Everyone played well. This was the best work the defense has done so far this season and I only expect it to improve.

Cliff Avril is one of the best defensive lineman in the league at strip sacks.

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

3. Where was the run blocking

With the offensive line fully healthy for the second week in a row, the pass blocking was fantastic, but the run blocking was quite the opposite. The Saints defense is right in the middle of the pack in terms of run defense, and the Seahawks couldn’t get anything going in that department. The team rushed for 127 yards but only managed 3.3 yards per carry. Marshawn Lynch ran the ball for 16 times and only amassed 45 yards. Not a good day for the running game, but they were picked up by Wilson and the passing game.

4. The Seahawks are undoubtedly the best team in the league

Not only do the Seahawks have the best record, they have the highest rating in several advanced team statistics as well. These two things are enough for most people to rank them number one in the league, but the statement they made tonight is they pass the eye test as well. The Broncos and their offense is nice, but the Seahawks offense can match them point for point, and their stifling defense shut down one of the most prolific offenses in the league. No one is stopping this team. No one in the NFC is coming close to stopping this team at Century Link, which is where the path to the Super Bowl now goes. The Seahawks are Super Bowl bound and they absolutely have enough to win the whole thing.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Secure Dramatic Comeback Win Over the Buccaneers

By Jackson Safon

The Seahawks were down 21-0 late in the first half, but they fought back and outscored the Buccaneers 17-3 in the second half to send the game into overtime where they won it on a Steven Hauschka field goal. What a game. Anyone who watched the game could tell you that it was a tale of two halves, but it was so much more than that. The first half was jarring. Hard to fathom what had happened. But then the Seahawks magically transformed into the team we had come to expect and played a great second half. Really an odd game, but it turned out to be a dramatic one, and a strong win for the Hawks.

Sir Clutch saved the day again for the Seahawks as he kicked a game winning field goal in overtime.

Seahawks.com

1. The running game returns
Marshawn Lynch led the charge with 125 yards on 21 carries and Russell Wilson and Robert Turbin chipped in as well to all combine for 198 yards and 5.7 yards per carry. There were bigger holes and more importantly, a better commitment to the run by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Even though Lynch still couldn’t get carries towards the goal line (I promise I will hit on the Russell Wilson interception at the goal line), he still amassed a good amount of yards and led the running game to a rejuvenated effort after some serious struggles last week. It was good to see the success in the running game from an offensive line standpoint and play-calling standpoint.

2. WHERE IS THE RUN DEFENSE?!
I am personally putting out an APB for the Seahawks run defense. The Hawks’ defense got gashed for over 200 yards for the second straight games. This time it was to rookie Mike James (WHO THE HECK IS MIKE JAMES?!) and the Buccaneers. This is unacceptable. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright both played horrible games at the linebacker positions, and the rest of the front seven didn’t play much better. Dan Quinn needs to put more of a focus on run defense in practice or this will eventually lead to a loss. I’m sorry but the Seahawks will lose to the 49ers if they can get run on like this. Needs to be the top priority in practice this week.

3. The offensive line played better
Almost 200 yards rushing and no sacks allowed. A much better performance by the Hawks’ offensive line. Granted, the Buccaneers defensive front is not nearly as good as the Rams’ is, but credit still should go to the Hawks line for this one. Russell Wilson still didn’t have as much time as I would like, but it was much better. There were some injuries to the line and some shuffling around, but all in all they played better as a unit which is really good to see.

Russell Wilson was scrambling for his life behind the makeshift offensive line.
John Hollis

4. Jermaine Kearse successfully filled the role of Rice
Kearse finished with only two catches for 43 yards, but he did get in the end zone. Yet for a player like Jermaine Kearse it may not be the stats that matter. With good route running and decent blocking, he did a good job of showing that he can successfully fill the role of the injured Sidney Rice. He played some good football and this is a very good sign for the Seahawks going forward.

5. The ugly Russell Wilson interception at the goal line
Early in the fourth quarter, after a very good drive by the Seahawks, Russell Wilson threw an interception on first and goal from the three yard line. Doug Baldwin ran a great route and had his defender beat by at least two steps. He was essentially wide open. Yet Wilson decided to jump pass instead of planting his foot and the throw was well behind Baldwin. But before it could even get there, Buccaneers defensive back Keith Tandy intercepted the ball. Immediately, the cry on Twitter was about the play-calling and why the ‘Hawks didn’t run it with Lynch instead. I agree with this. They should’ve run it. But the cry of anger should’ve been directed towards Wilson who made a horrific throw. It could’ve been an easy touchdown but was instead an easy interception. Yes the play call was bad, but the throw was worse.

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Takeaways: Seahawks Escape with a Victory against the Titans

By Jackson Safon

A win is a win. Even narrow escapes against below average quarterbacks count as wins. And this win combined with the Patriots terrific comeback win against the Saints puts the Seahawks tied for first place in the NFC. There were lots of oddities in this game from the botched field goal at the end of the half that was returned for a touchdown by the Titans, to the fumble by Lynch at the goal line that was given right back to Russell Wilson. Just a strange game. But nonetheless, the Seahawks managed to come out with a win like they always do. Russell Wilson is still undefeated at home and even though this wasn’t the prettiest of games, it was a win and that is really all that matters.

 

1. The big guns showed up in the second half

The offense performed pretty poorly in the first half, but in the second half, the two guys the offense leans on most, Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson, came to play. Lynch had over two-thirds of his rushing yards in the second half and Wilson was running around like a man possessed. Lynch really carried the offense throughout big portions of the second half, but every time a big conversion was needed, it seemed Wilson either scrambled and found a man downfield or ran for the conversion himself. In close games you need your best players to lead you to victory and that is exactly what Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson did yesterday.

 

2. Third down conversions are terrible

Another below average day for the offense in terms of converting third downs, as they completed a mere five of thirteen. The offense has been below the league average and well below the team expectation on third downs this year and that's something that really needs to be improved. The Titans have a quality defense so I give props to them, but if the Hawks are going to compete with the best teams in the conference and the league, third down efficiency needs to be improved.

 

3. The wide receivers need to get open faster

There is a reason that Russell Wilson is forced to scramble so much and it is not always because of the offensive line play. In fact, the offensive line has slowly been improving this season, but it seems the receiver play has regressed. Even when the offensive line gives Wilson time, he is forced to leave the pocket and run because the receivers simply cannot get any separation in the secondary. There is nowhere for Wilson to go with the ball right now which is limiting the offense. This is just another thing that has to be fixed if the Hawks are going to play at the level they want to.

 

Percy Harvin is getting close to returning to full strength. When he does, he should add a new element to this offense.

Seahawks.com

 

4. Where is the consistency?

One aspect of great teams in all of sports is consistency, which is something the Seahawks seem to be lacking right now. They put together back to back dominating performances in weeks two and three (yes I know week three was against the Jaguars but that does not take away from the fact that they played great), but then have to squeak out a win against a struggling Texans team and lose a tough one on the road to the Colts. Now they barely survive against a Titans team that granted, is improved from years past, but doesn’t have their starting quarterback. The Seahawks need to level out if they are to compete for the top seed in the NFC. Thankfully, the upcoming schedule doesn’t look all that tough, but the next two are both road games against division opponents, the Cardinals and Rams (both are on national TV), so the Hawks are going to have to ramp up their play in order to keep up with the leaders of the conference.

 

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