5 Reasons Matt Hasselbeck Will Lead the Seahawks to the NFC West Title

Matt Hasselbeck has been a Seattle Seahawk forever.  He has been through the good times (an appearance in Super Bowl XL) and the bad times (4-12 in 2008, 5-11 last year).

Though he is getting old, Hasselbeck is showing this year that he can still be the leader of his team.  He has guided the Seahawks to a surprising 2-1 record.

Seattle looks like the front-runner in the NFC West with the complete collapse of the preseason favorite San Francisco 49ers.

But to make the playoffs, the Seahawks will need to rely on the right arm of Hasselbeck.  And from all indications, he is up to the task (excluding his three interception performance against the Broncos).

Here are five reasons Hasselbeck will be able to lead his team to the playoffs this year.

5. Leon Washington Will Give Him Good Field Position

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Kick returner Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes 101 yards on a kickoff return for a touchdown at the start of the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washi

Leon Washington is capable of running a kick back for a touchdown at any given moment.  He is clearly one of the best return men in the league and that will benefit the Seattle offense.

By starting drives from the 30-yard line and beyond more often than not, rather than the 20, Hasselbeck and the rest of the offense will have less ground to cover. 

That will prove to be a big plus, especially when they need to score late in the fourth quarter, when every yard is at a premium.

4. He Has A Solid Group of Receivers

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL season opener at Qwest Field on September 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule J

After being out of football for two years, Mike Williams is back and better than ever.  He looks like a legitimate threat as a No. 2 wide receiver.

His partner in the starting lineup is savvy veteran Deion Branch.  Branch knows how to get open and can make tons of catches every single game.

Brandon Stokley is also in the mix for Hasselbeck.  He is the epitome of a slot receiver and can be a go-to guy down the stretch.

Rookie Golden Tate will continue to improve this year and should be a valuable weapon for Hasselbeck down the road.

Now, if that receiving corps can stay healthy (a problem for the Seahawks in recent years), Hasselbeck should have no problem slinging the ball all over the yard.

3. The Rest of the Division Is Terrible

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The 49ers were picked to win this division, but they find themselves at 0-3.

The Rams are in a rebuilding process and won't be relevant for two or three years.

The Cardinals have a quarterback who can't lead a team to the playoffs and a defense that is a few steps back from last year's squad.

None of those teams will step up and win the division, so by default, that leaves the Seahawks.  They should win in St. Louis this weekend and move their division record to 2-0.

2. The Backfield Has Quality and Depth

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks hands off to Justin Forsett #20 against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Justin Forsett, Julius Jones, Leon Washington, and Michael Robinson give the Seahawks an unprecedented level of depth in the backfield.

And while none of these backs will put up Pro-Bowl numbers, they will all be serviceable.  Plus, if someone gets injured, the next guy can step in and produce in a very similar way.

The Seahawks' running game isn't going to blow anyone away, but it will keep the defenses honest and allow Hasselbeck to throw.

1. Matt Hasselbeck Finally Looks Healthy

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Since 2003, Matt Hasselbeck has only played two full seasons, missing 17 games because of injury.

Though it's still early in the 2010 season, all indications are that Hasselbeck is back.  As long as he can fend off the injury bug, the Seahawks should be fine.

He'll need to stay healthy because his back-up is Charlie Whitehurst, a fifth-year player who has yet to attempt a pass in a regular-season game.

But, barring any unforeseen problems, Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks appear to be the team to beat in the NFC West.