Seattle Seahawks Poised for a Turnaround: Why They Are Playoff Bound

I love power rankings.

I love analysis.

We all should, as they give us things to talk about. Things with which to agree or disagree. 

They claim to let us know where our teams stand amongst the 29-31 other teams in their respective sport, depending, of course, on which sport you are talking about.

Last year, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl, and due to this, they are ranked eight to 12 places higher than the Seahawks in most power rankings.  Additionally, everyone out there is quick to point out why: inter-division matchups. 

Without the division wins, it's easy to point out how the Cardinals would've fell short. As the title and the previous statements suggest, all the Seahawks need to do is match up better against the Cardinals this season than last.

Now, I'm not forgetting about the Niners. I just don't see them in the running. 

After all, one of the four Seahawks' wins in their most dismal season in recent memory came at Monster park. 

Two of Arizona's nine wins came against the Niners.

I'm not even counting out the Rams, though I probably should, as two of the Hawks' four wins last season came against good ole Saint Louie.

So, it comes down to Seattle vs. Arizona, and here are the three reasons that matchup will play out differently this year.

I'm not even going to go into detail about Arizona's defensive matchups, even if I do believe DR Cromartie will play a large role, as they only scored one single point more than they allowed last season.

They simply do not have a dominating defense. 

Feel free to disagree.

Matchup No. 1:  Ken Lucas vs. Larry Fitzgerald

In two games last year against Seattle, the Fitz netted 281 yards and two TDs. 

Determined not to let this happen again, coach Mora and Seattle GM Tim Ruskell sought out ex-Seahawk Ken Lucas, a large-press-cover-type corner that has the ability to bump receivers off of their routes, if only more so than Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings. 

However, these mere seconds stolen from Fitzgerald's routes will mean so much more than that when taking into consideration matchup No. 2.

Matchup No. 2: Seattle's DL vs. Arizona's OL

Seattle has completely revamped their Defensive line this year, even more so than the additions they've made. 

First, they picked up a large-bodied DT in free agency by the name of Colin Cole.

This giant of a man will serve as the new anchor of the line, and by taking on double teams at the point of attack, he'll be allowing the quicker Brandon Mebane to take one-on-one matchups, making it easier to reach the backfield.

Patrick Kerney, backed up by another speedster in Darryl Tapp, will be switched from left end to right, pitting him in a one-to-one matchup against left tackle Levi Brown. 

Kerney, a player accustomed to two-on-one matchups against a right tackle as well as a tight end, should have a much easier time reaching the quarterback, and as an additional bonus, this puts him on the blind-side.

Newly acquired DT/DE Cory Redding rounds out the DL at left end, A strength/size oriented DE, Redding will be more productive against the two-on-one matchup.

Matchup No. 3: Arizona's Backfield vs. Seattle's Linebacking Corps

With the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, the Seahawks picked up LB Aaron Curry. 

Great in run support, and equally as impressive in coverage, he showed signs of promise in the pass rush in training camps this offseason.

However, with Curry in and Julian Peterson out, LB Leroy Hill should be able to get back into his position as the leading pass rushing LB, a position he played with moderate authority in the 2005 season with 7.5 sacks.

Rounding out this group is the defensive leader and perennial pro-bowler Lofa Tatupu. 

Possibly the greatest coverage LB in the game today, Tatupu is also, despite being undersized, a great up-the-middle run stuffer.

It's a well known fact that Arizona's run game was atrocious last season, and as a result, they picked up RB Chris "Beanie" Wells with the 31st pick in the Draft. 

I, personally, don't see him being the solution, but if he is, or if Tim Hightower can improve upon his rookie campaign, with the increased pressure provided by the revamped DL, the few runs that make it into the second level of Seattle's defense should be stopped short by what may be the best linebacking corps in the league.

In short "He who controls Arizona, controls the west"

And Seattle can be that team.