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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02:  Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks signals during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks signals during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks: 10 Reasons Why They Won't Beat the New Orleans Saints

Adam SpencerJun 7, 2018

The Seattle Seahawks are the worst team to ever make the NFL playoffs, with a record of 7-9.

No one expects them to beat the New Orleans Saints this weekend, despite having the game in Seattle.

The Seahawks have a lot of problems and weak spots that need corrected if they are going to have a chance to win a playoff game.

But, one week is hardly enough time to solve everything that ails the team. One entire offseason might not even be enough time.

Here are 10 reasons the Seahawks will lose their playoff opener to the Saints.

10. Offensive Line

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02:  Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Seahawks' offensive line has allowed 35 sacks this season.

That's not a horrible number, but it could be better.

The Saints have a defensive coordinator who is not afraid to blitz in any situation, so the O-Line better be on their "A" game if they are going to keep Hasselbeck or Whitehurst upright.

9. Record vs. Good Teams

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02:  Defensive end Chris Clemons #91 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates advancing to the playoffs after defeating the St. Louis Rams 16-6 at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Image
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Defensive end Chris Clemons #91 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates advancing to the playoffs after defeating the St. Louis Rams 16-6 at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Image

The Seahawks have only two wins against teams with winning records this season.

They beat the Bears in Chicago during a time when the Bears were struggling mightily and not looking like the playoff team they are now.

They also beat the San Diego Chargers back in September when the team was still in their beginning of the season slide.

Neither win inspires much confidence for this weekend.

8. New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02:  Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Seahawks have already played the Saints this year, with horrible results.

The Saints had no problem dismantling Seattle in New Orleans, 34-19.

Yes, the playoff game will be in Seattle, but home field advantage isn't going to overcome a 15-point defeat.

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7. Pete Carroll

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02:  Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Carroll was one of the best coaches during his time with the USC Trojans.

But, he has a spotty record as an NFL head coach.

If the Seahawks are going to win, Carroll is going to need to push all the right buttons to come out victorious this weekend.

6. Inexperience

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05:  Running back Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks returns a punt for 84 yards against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. Washington was down at the 2 yard line on the play, a
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Running back Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks returns a punt for 84 yards against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. Washington was down at the 2 yard line on the play, a

Besides Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks don't have a lot of playoff experience.

The Saints, on the other hand, have tons of playoff experience. Most of the guys on the team were there for the Super Bowl run last year.

They know how to win on the road against tough home crowds, while the Seahawks still aren't quite sure how to beat good teams.

5. Lack of Turnovers

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02:  Safety Earl Thomas #29 and cornerback Marcus Brown #32 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a defensive play against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Gre
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Safety Earl Thomas #29 and cornerback Marcus Brown #32 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a defensive play against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Gre

The Seahawks have only created 22 turnovers on defense so far this year.

Meanwhile, they've turned the ball over on offense a total of 31 times.

Their minus-nine turnover differential isn't going to get the job done in the postseason.

4. Charlie Whitehurst

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 19:  Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Atlanta Falcons at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
SEATTLE - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Atlanta Falcons at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Seahawks are probably not going to win a playoff game with Whitehurst at quarterback.

He's the most inexperienced QB in the playoffs and has only one career victory under his belt.

If he starts this weekend, the Saints are going to force him into several turnovers.

3. Matt Hasselbeck

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05:  Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Hasselbeck, if healthy, would be the better option for the Seahawks this weekend.

But, at this point in his career, the Seahawks probably won't win even if Hasselbeck is able to play.

He's been too inconsistent this season, turning the ball over too much and being generally ineffective.

2. Running Game

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Seahawks average only 89 yards per game on the ground. Only the Arizona Cardinals have a worse average.

They'll need to establish the run this weekend if they are going to have a chance to throw the ball against the Saints.

1. Pass Defense

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05:  Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks congratulates free safety Earl Thomas #29 near the end of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated t
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks congratulates free safety Earl Thomas #29 near the end of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated t

The Seahawks have the 27th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. That's bad news with the Saints coming to town.

Drew Brees will pick them apart by utilizing Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem.

Plus, rookie tight end Jimmy Graham has been playing really well the past couple weeks.

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