Saints vs. Seahawks: Who Has the Edge at Every Position?

The New Orleans Saints (9-2) travel to CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks (10-1) in a marquee matchup on Monday Night Football. 

This Week 13 contest could certainly decide which of these teams will be considered the most dominant in the NFC this season. With these two powerhouses pulling away from the rest of the competition, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs could be decided on Monday.

Let's take a position-by-position look at these teams to determine who has a better chance of emerging victorious this week.

Quarterback

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Drew Brees and Russell Wilson are two of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL today. This is a classic showdown of an up-and-coming signal-caller against a savvy veteran quarterback.

Wilson has been tremendous in his sophomore campaign. He has clearly taken a giant step forward from his rookie season. Over his first 11 games in 2013, he has thrown for 2,362 yards and 19 touchdowns against just six interceptions.

What makes him even more effective is his rushing ability. Wilson has rushed 72 times for a total of 409 yards and a score this season, making him one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

On the other hand, Brees is the epitome of a pure pocket passer. He has been putting up devastating numbers over the course of the 2013 season and has recently moved to fifth on the all-time passing yards list.

Brees has been so very efficient this season, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,647 yards and 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions for a passer rating of 107.3.

Both of these quarterbacks are absolutely dangerous in their own ways; however, the advantage here must go to the veteran.

Edge: Saints

Running Back

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These two teams could not be more different in their ideologies about the rushing offense. While the Saints feature a pass-heavy attack, the Seahawks are more prone to sticking with a ground assault.

New Orleans does have a fine trio of running backs in Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and the versatile Darren Sproles; however, its running game takes a backseat to its aerial attack. That said, it's difficult to blame the running backs with Brees at the helm.

Currently, the Saints rank 23rd in the league with 97.7 rushing yards per game.

Seattle, on the other hand, features a run-heavy game plan featuring one of the NFL's elite running backs in Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks average a whopping 147.9 rush yards per game, which is good enough for second in the NFL.

Lynch is a major cause for that success. In 2013, he has rushed 208 times for 925 yards—an average of 4.4 yards per carry—and nine touchdowns. He is also a reliable receiver, catching 24 passes for 222 yards and two scores this season.

The advantage at the running back position is not in question here.

Edge: Seahawks

Wide Receiver

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Even though the Saints have one of the best aerial attacks in the NFL this season, wide receivers just have not been a huge part of the game plan.

Veteran wide receiver Marques Colston has been the most productive at the position, catching 43 passes for 569 yards and two touchdowns this season. After Colston, the production drops off to rookie Kenny Stills, who has compiled 22 receptions for 470 yards and four scores.

Simply put, the running backs and tight ends are heavily featured in New Orleans, which hinders the production of its wide receivers.

Seattle's passing game endures due to its weapons at the wide receiver position. Both Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin have had solid seasons to this point.

Tate leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, catching 42 passes for 600 yards and four scores. Baldwin is right behind him with 36 receptions for 586 yards and three touchdowns.

This duo, along with Sidney Rice, gives the Seahawks a fantastic wide receiver corps—even with the impending absence of Percy Harvin.

The Seahawks have the edge here. 

Edge: Seahawks

Tight End

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The advantage at the tight end position is not in question heading into this game. 

Yes, the Seahawks have a nice tight end in Zach Miller. He has been productive this season, racking up 22 receptions for 248 yards and three touchdowns. However, his production pales in comparison to the Saints tight end.

Jimmy Graham is simply the best tight end in football right now. He leads the Saints receivers in every statistical category except for average yards per reception.

Graham has amassed 65 receptions for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns already this season—impressive statistics for any wide receiver, let alone a tight end.

His dominance easily gives the Saints the nod at this position.

Edge: Saints

Offensive Line

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Seattle has unfortunately been plagued by injuries along the offensive line in 2013. The Seahawks are slowly piecing their line back together after losing Russell Okung and Max Unger, among others. Due to these injuries, the Seahawks have not seen efficient play in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball.

In comparison, the Saints have had solid production from their line all season. The line has been able to keep Brees relatively clean each week, and its performances have been noticed.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranks the Saints as the NFL's fourth-best offensive line in terms of pass protection, compared to the Seahawks' 29th-overall ranking.

In terms of blocking for the run, it is the same story. Pro Football Focus ranks the Saints 13th in the league, compared to a 25th overall ranking for Seattle.

Injuries in Seattle have amounted to a loss of an advantage in this category.

Edge: Saints

Defensive Line

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Both of these teams are incredibly talented on the defensive front. Despite running different base defenses, both strive to rush the passer and disrupt opposing offenses.

Each team has stellar defensive ends who have flourished so far this season. In Seattle, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett have each amassed 6.5 sacks. In New Orleans, Cameron Jordan has absolutely dominated with 9.5 sacks.

Each defensive line has allowed pass-rushers to get to the opposing quarterback. The Seahawks have gained a total of 33 sacks this season, and the Saints have dropped the quarterback 37 times.

As far as defending against the run goes, both teams are equal as well. Seattle is allowing 112.9 rush yards per game, while the Saints are averaging 111.9 a contest.

Despite different styles, both defensive lines remain even in terms of production.

Edge: Even

Linebackers

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The linebacker position is the glue that holds together both of these defenses. Both teams boast very solid players at the position despite their different styles.

Parys Haralson is having a fine season for the Saints despite his limited role, but the rest of the linebacker corps has not been as efficient. Although Curtis Lofton is currently leading the team in tackles with 86 total on the year, he has not been as efficient, ranking just 38th out of 53 eligible inside linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

On the other hand, the Seahawks linebackers have been incredibly productive and efficient in 2013.

Both Malcolm Smith and Bruce Irvin rank in the top 10 of all 4-3 outside linebackers at Pro Football Focus. Second-year player Bobby Wagner is also having a fine season, ranking 18th out of an eligible 53 inside linebackers on Pro Football Focus.

The Seahawks linebackers are not only productive, but have been one of the most efficient groups in the NFL this season. It is easy to give them the edge here.

Edge: Seahawks

Defensive Backs

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As much as the Seahawks have one of the most infamous defensive secondaries in the NFL, the Saints are not too far behind this season. Seattle and New Orleans rank first and third in passing yards allowed per game, respectively.

The Seahawks do have an edge in the interceptions department, as they currently have accumulated 16 on the season compared to the Saints' 10.

Seattle has the greatest amount of experience in the secondary, led by Earl Thomas, who currently leads the team in tackles with a total of 78. Thomas is tied in the team lead for interceptions with Richard Sherman, as both players have amassed four.

Despite the Saints' resurgence in the secondary this season, Seattle has been able to wreak more havoc in that positional group.

Edge: Seahawks

Special Teams

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In a highly anticipated matchup like this featuring two powerhouses, there is always a strong possibility that it could all come down to one kick to come out victorious.

Unfortunately for the Saints, kicker Garrett Hartley has not had the kind of season that instills a great amount of confidence in this kind of situation. Hartley has only managed to connect on 20 of his 26 field-goal attempts this season. His inconsistency has led to a 37th overall ranking among kickers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Steven Hauschka, on the other hand, has had a fine season. Hauschka has connected on 24 of his 25 field-goal attempts with a long of 53 and is ranked fifth overall in Pro Football Focus' efficiency ratings.

Neither team has been extremely outstanding in the returns department, so the difference in the special teams matchup here will fall solely on these kickers.

Edge: Seahawks

Coaching

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Both Sean Payton and Pete Carroll have been the respective saviors of each of these franchises. They have taken their teams out of obscurity and brought them to the ranks of the NFL's elite.

Both coaches have been able to accumulate multiple winning seasons, divisional titles and successful playoff appearances. However, one thing separates these two coaches: Payton has a Super Bowl ring.

Of course, that does not hold any bearing when looking into the upcoming contest between these two teams. One thing that may, however, is that Carroll has made this Seahawks team virtually unbeatable when playing at home.

Seattle was undefeated in its home stadium in 2012 and has not lost a game there this year. Carroll has a way of firing up his team and fans during home contests, which provides a huge advantage for Seattle.

Overall, these coaches have a very similar history with their respective teams, which leaves this comparison even.

Edge: Even

Final Tally

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Looking at the final count, it appears as though Seattle has the edge with a 5-3-2 tally over the Saints.

Despite the Seahawks' edge in these comparisons, this will be a closely contested matchup that could come down to the final drive of the game.

The dominant Seahawks defense must contain the high-flying aerial attack of Brees and Co. to stay in the game. Conversely, Brees must be able to navigate around a very dangerous ball-hawking Seattle secondary and threatening pass rush.

Home-field advantage could certainly come into play here, as Seattle has not lost at home in 2013. However, if anyone is to break its current home winning streak, it could possibly be Brees, one of the NFL's premium passers.

That being said, Lynch and Seattle's running game could take advantage of the Saints defense and keep pressure off Wilson. In turn, this will keep Brees off the field and the Seahawks defense fresh.

It that happens in front of the Seahawks' home crowd, it will be very difficult for the Saints to come away with a win here.

The Pick: Seattle 24, New Orleans 20