Seahawks vs. Redskins: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Since their playoff meeting two years ago, the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins have migrated in complete opposite directions.

The Hawks, after winning that meeting, were eliminated a week later by the Atlanta Falcons. But Pete Carroll's squad went out and added Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett in the offseason and yada, yada, yada, they were Super Bowl champions in emphatic fashion.

A quest to repeat in 2014 is off to a promising start. With Russell Wilson leading a dangerously efficient offense—eighth in the league in yards per play—and the defense still equal parts ferocious and lightning-fast, Seattle is 2-1 with wins over the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos.

For Washington, Robert Griffin III, whose world-class athleticism was a large reason for that playoff appearance, hasn't been the same. He showed noticeable effects of offseason knee surgery as the Redskins stumbled to a 3-13 season in 2013, and an ankle injury in Week 2 has forced new head coach Jay Gruden to turn to Kirk Cousins.

The Michigan State product looked good in his first eight quarters of relief, but an embarrassing five turnovers against the New York Giants last Thursday dropped Washington to 1-3.

With the stakes and circumstances decidedly different this time around, Seattle and Washington get set for a rematch in the nation's capital on Monday Night Football.

Date: Monday, October 6, 2014

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Location: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info: Seattle (-7), Over/Under 46, per OddsShark.com

Injury Update

Seahawks	Injury	Status
Redskins	Injury	Status
Zach Miller, TE	Ankle	Out
Bruce Irvin, LB	Oblique	Questionable
Tharold Simon, CB	Knee	Questionable
Niles Paul, TE	Concussion	Questionable
Jordan Reed, TE	Hamstring	Questionable
Kedric Golston, DE	Groin	Questionable
Robert Griffin III, QB	Ankle	Out
Akeem Jordan, LB	Knee	Questionable
Tracy Porter, CB	Hamstring	Questionable
Trenton Richardson, S	Ankle	Questionable

Note: Injury report courtesy of ESPN.com and CBSSports.com

Seahawks Key: Don't Get Complacent

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

It's not typically my style to go with something so unquantifiable, but the Seahawks have a better offense, defense and special teams than Washington. They are more talented at nearly every position, and there is no single important key that will better help them win this game.

They just can't come out flat.

That's never a problem for Pete Carroll's squad when it is in front of the raucous Seattle crowd, but road games aren't always the same story. In Week 2, the Seahawks were about as sharp as a butter knife against the Chargers. San Diego converted on 10-of-17 third downs, keeping the ball for more than 42 minutes and wearing the Seahawks down in the heat for a 30-21 win.

As long as the 'Hawks come out aggressive and are flying to the ball like usual, they'll be fine. Even as heavy favorites, they can't afford to play at anything less than 100 percent.

Redskins Key: Feed the Butler

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Cousins threw four ugly interceptions last week, and according to Pro Football Focus, three of those came with no pressure from the pass rush. Even if Michael Bennett and Co. aren't able to make him uncomfortable in the pocket, he isn't going to consistently move the ball against the best secondary in the NFL.

Stats LLC's Tom Kessenich put it simply:

The Redskins' only chance in this one is to pound the ball to Alfred Morris. Seattle has been incredibly stout against the run game this season, but the third-year Morris is one of the best running backs in the league. He explodes through holes, is a load to take down and has deceptive speed in the open field, much like the guy who will be lining up in the opposite backfield.

Seahawks defensive tackle Kevin Williams knows the importance of forcing Washington to throw the ball, via SeattlePI.com's Stephen Cohen:

"

I think New York did a good job. They got (Washington) behind the eight-ball and they had to throw it, and that took them out of their run game, so it kind of made them one-sided. That’s hopefully what we can get done: get a lead and then make it a passing game where we rush the passer.

"

Morris, who is fifth in the NFL with 316 rushing yards, is Washington's best and most-important offensive skill player. The more successful he is, the more time of possession for Gruden's squad. And if the Redskins are able to keep Seattle's defense on the field for extended periods of time, chances of an upset increase significantly.

Prediction

Seahawks.

They are not only the far superior team, but they've had two weeks to prepare and tend to thrive during prime-time games. According to The Washington Post's Mike Jones, the 'Hawks are 10-1 in such games under Carroll, with several of those coming via dominant blowouts.

Washington has the run game and run defense (fifth in yards per rush allowed) to slow the game down and make things interesting, but it's difficult to trust Cousins or a sieve-like secondary to make enough plays against the defending champs.

Prediction: Seahawks 31, Redskins 13