Seattle Seahawks: Can They Actually Defeat the New Orleans Saints?

Going into Sunday's night game featuring the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks many thought the Seahawks didn't stand a chance. Now, going into a match up with the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, things look even more bleak.

On Sunday, Matt Hasselbeck was hurt and the Seahawks were facing a young Rams team which seemingly had wanted it a little more than their opponents all season long.

Instead, the Seahawks outplayed the Rams from start to finish, and in doing so became the first sub-.500 team to ever make the playoffs.

Not only did they make the playoffs, but they also get a home game—a little ridiculous, if you ask me.

What makes these seven-win Seahawks deserve a home game against an 11-win New Orleans Saints squad that won the Super Bowl last year? However, while they may not deserve it, they have it.

So, next Saturday, 10s of thousands of Seahawks fans will pour into Qwest Field. Advantage No. 1. 

Considering that the Saints have almost every advantage on the field, how many intangibles will the Seahawks need, though? 

The Seahawks were outscored by 97 points this year, including a 15-point defeat to the Saints on the road.

But let's examine that game a little more closely, because the Seahawks' 19 points on the road against the Saints actually give them a reason to hope rather than worry.

Scoring will be the Seahawks biggest problem, and on Sunday their defense actually looked surprisingly good. 

In their first go around with the Saints, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for 366 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. In all honesty, I expect Hasselbeck to start next Saturday despite backup Charlie Whitehurst's performance to get the Seahawks into the playoffs.

So if Hasselbeck can repeat his performance, that would be a great starting point for the Seahawks.

Then consider the Seahawks' home record. Their first game against the Saints came on the road, where the 'Hawks struggled all year round and compiled a 2-6 record.

At home, however, they were 5-3. This isn't a huge advantage considering the Saints went 6-2 on the road, but it's a step in the right direction.

Additionally, in that November game where these two teams met the first time, the 'Hawks picked-off Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees twice—a feat they will likely have to repeat in order to win.

The 'Hawks actually lost the game in the hands of Marshawn Lynch, who took it upon himself to lose two crucial fumbles, which was half of his season total.

For the Seahawks to win this time around they must win the turnover battle, and there is no way around that when you consider how much better the Saints are.

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed the Seahawks how the Saints can be beaten: win the turnover battle, want it more and play like you have nothing to lose while having everything to win.