NFL Playoffs Wild Card Style! (NO v. SEA)
NFC Wild Card: New Orleans Saints (11-5) v. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
Saturday 4:30pm, NBC
Yes, that isn't a typo. The Seattle Seahawks got in the playoffs coming out of the NFC 'Worst" and earned a home game. Meanwhile, the NY Giants and TB Bucs sit and home with 10 wins (my bias is showing.) But, on a positive note the Saints, who started out rough, where able to escape the best division in the NFL (NFC S) with 11 wins and have a chance to defend their Super Bowl crown. The Saints will be limping into the playoffs after putting both Pierre Thomas AND rookie rushing sensation Chris Ivory on IR. And for the Hawks, they have injury issues as well! They can either go with veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck who seems to be playing at 75% at best OR start backup Charlie Whitehurst who... well was good at Clemson and as Philip Rivers backup.
Key Matchup
(SEA Nickleback) Walter Thurmond v. (NO WR) Lance Moore
No matter what grouping of receivers the Saints put in rookie corner Walter Thurmond will have to step and cover one of them. Lance Moore is the slot threat that gets a lot of underneath throws on bubble screens. Robert Meachem can go vertical and burn you deep (averaged 20.2ypc this season). And lastly, Marques Colston who is listed as questionable but participated fully in practice is going to be a threat on those quick in's and slants. Pick your poison! It will be rough for the Hawks to cover all those WR.
Difference Maker
(NO RB) Julius Jones- What? Yes, Cowboys has-been Julius Jones. Reggie Bush doesn't take handoffs between the tackles and has yet to really make an impact out of the backfield this season due to injury. And then there is 3rd string signed off the street DeShawn Wynn... who hasn't taken a snap in almost three full seasons! Now in order for the Saints to have somewhat of a balanced attack Jones needs to get at least 10-to-15 carries to help shoulder the load in the ground game. Cross your fingers New Orleans!
Outcome
No matter how much I jump up and down about the lack of a Saints' running game... it won't matter. The Seahawks got in at under .500 and will face the full brunt of a high-powered Saints passing attack. the Hawks are allowing 249.6 passing yards per game and have no sign of an offense what-so-ever. Since 2001 the Saints and Hawks have split the series 2-2... throw that out of the window and look at the odds: NO 10+, 44o/u. Only being favored by ten points is quite liberal, it's going to be a one sided affair: Saints-31 Seahawks-17.
Next Blog: NFL Playoffs Wild Card Style! (NYJ v. IND)
Stats courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information Links courtesy of neworleanssaints.com and seahawks.com
Saturday 4:30pm, NBC
Yes, that isn't a typo. The Seattle Seahawks got in the playoffs coming out of the NFC 'Worst" and earned a home game. Meanwhile, the NY Giants and TB Bucs sit and home with 10 wins (my bias is showing.) But, on a positive note the Saints, who started out rough, where able to escape the best division in the NFL (NFC S) with 11 wins and have a chance to defend their Super Bowl crown. The Saints will be limping into the playoffs after putting both Pierre Thomas AND rookie rushing sensation Chris Ivory on IR. And for the Hawks, they have injury issues as well! They can either go with veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck who seems to be playing at 75% at best OR start backup Charlie Whitehurst who... well was good at Clemson and as Philip Rivers backup.
Key Matchup
(SEA Nickleback) Walter Thurmond v. (NO WR) Lance Moore
No matter what grouping of receivers the Saints put in rookie corner Walter Thurmond will have to step and cover one of them. Lance Moore is the slot threat that gets a lot of underneath throws on bubble screens. Robert Meachem can go vertical and burn you deep (averaged 20.2ypc this season). And lastly, Marques Colston who is listed as questionable but participated fully in practice is going to be a threat on those quick in's and slants. Pick your poison! It will be rough for the Hawks to cover all those WR.
Difference Maker
(NO RB) Julius Jones- What? Yes, Cowboys has-been Julius Jones. Reggie Bush doesn't take handoffs between the tackles and has yet to really make an impact out of the backfield this season due to injury. And then there is 3rd string signed off the street DeShawn Wynn... who hasn't taken a snap in almost three full seasons! Now in order for the Saints to have somewhat of a balanced attack Jones needs to get at least 10-to-15 carries to help shoulder the load in the ground game. Cross your fingers New Orleans!
Outcome
No matter how much I jump up and down about the lack of a Saints' running game... it won't matter. The Seahawks got in at under .500 and will face the full brunt of a high-powered Saints passing attack. the Hawks are allowing 249.6 passing yards per game and have no sign of an offense what-so-ever. Since 2001 the Saints and Hawks have split the series 2-2... throw that out of the window and look at the odds: NO 10+, 44o/u. Only being favored by ten points is quite liberal, it's going to be a one sided affair: Saints-31 Seahawks-17.
Next Blog: NFL Playoffs Wild Card Style! (NYJ v. IND)
Stats courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information Links courtesy of neworleanssaints.com and seahawks.com
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