NFL Wild Card Weekend: 6 Things The Seahawks Must Do To Upset The Saints
Nobody is giving Seattle any chance of winning this Saturday's wild-card matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. And from a casual fans perspective, it's not hard to see why.
The Hawks have become the laughingstock of the NFL. The punchline of every Football-related joke. Even the die-hard fans of Seattle must admit that it's a crime that they made the playoffs. 7-9, and they don't just make the playoffs, but they become the number 4 seed with a division title.
Here's something you can chew on, statistically the Saints are the underdog heading into this matchup, since they technically have the lower seed and is a wild card. STATISTICALLY, it would be an upset if the Saints won this one, go figure.
But once all is said and done, if your in, your in. Lawyer Milloy made a good point before the win and your in game against the rams. It doesn't matter how you get into the playoffs. Just get in there. The Seahawks took that advice to heart.
Technically the playoffs have already started for the Seahawks. Last week you could say was the beginning of the postseason since it was a "win and you live to play another game" scenario against the Rams. The Seahawks have completed step 1.
They are 1/5 of the way there to a super bowl championships. Sure there may not be very good odds that they'll win but that doesn't mean they can't pull a few rabbits out of the hat to give them a fighting chance. Here are some of the things working there way.
Get a Spark On Special Teams
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OK, ill give it to the Saints that they have a much better offense than Seattle, I'll also say with confidence that the Saints defense is far more superior than ours. But that's only 2/3 of the battle, because special teams wins championships as well.
1 player could make all the difference in the game, that man's name is Leon Washington. Oh sure, he's no Devin Hester. But in his first year in Seattle he has established himself as one of the most dangerous return mans in the NFL. He almost single-handedly beat San Diego earlier this year with 2 kickoffs returned for touchdowns.
Now I'm not saying he's going to single-handedly take down the whole Saints team. But one little slip-up on the Saints special teams coverage, and Leon Washington taking it back to the house. Who knows, that little spark could be all the Seahawks need to get jump started.
The Seahawks are lacking confidence right now, but 1 long kickoff return for a touchdown could change all the momentum the the Hawks favor.
Whitehurst or Hasselbeck?
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Entering the playoffs the Seahawks look like the only team that isn't even sure who there starting quarterback for the playoffs is going to be.
The decision is a diffficult one. Whitehurst hasn't proved he could handle the big game yet. Sure his start against the Rams was a big game, but 1 game isn't going to tip the scale in your favor. Whitehurst does however have tools Hasselbeck doesn't possess. Like the ability to scramble and to not be a sitting duck in the pocket.
On the other side of the tracks you have Matt Hasselbeck, who's playoff experience is immense. He's been in the big game time and time again and nearly always delivers in the clutch. However it has been a couple a years since he's been in a playoff game so could we expect some rust? And what about that hip injury he suffered a couple weeks ago from "jogging" into the endzone.
However, Hasselbeck does have a tool that Whitehurst doesn't have. And that's natural leadership. Something that Whitehurst will develop over time, but something that Hasselbeck possesses right now.
Ultimately, it will be Pete Carrol's decision. But don't think the fans will not heavily influence the outcome. Seattle has grown tired and restless of Hasselbeck, and that could be just enough to tip the scale in Whitehurt's favor.
Establish The Run
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Seattle finished 31st in the league in terms of rushing yards per game. That's simply not going to cut it against a run defense like the Saints, who is ranked a respectable 16th in the league against the the run.
It's not like the Seahawks don't have options. Marshawn Lynch is a power back while Justin Forsett is the quick-footed speedster. A nice 1-2 punch. The Seahawks just have to utilize them better. One of the problems is they don't have a established fullback on the roster.
If neither player can get off to a quick start, then the Seahawks are pretty much done on the offensive attack. One of Charlie Whitehurt's strengths is the play-action pass. If the Seahawks can't run the ball then how are they going to expect the Saints to bite on the play-action?
Think about it, Without the running game, there is no play-action. You basically have to rely on Whitehurst and Hasselbeck to play as drop back quarterbacks. Something that Hasselbeck was good at but since has detoriated. And something that Whitehurst simply doesn't have enough experience at doing.
The Seahawks offense will live and die on there running game. There's going to be a lot of weight on Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett's shoulders thing Saturday.
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Put The Heat On Drew Brees
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Drew Brees is one of the NFL's premier drop-back passers. So if the Seahawks are going to drop 7 or 8 all day drew Brees is going to have the Seahawks secondary for lunch.
Sure, Drew Brees has a league high 22 interceptions. But that's mainly because he takes risks down the field. And more times than not he'll win those risks. So don't let the interception total fool you.
Nonetheless, Drew Brees has been known more for his mistakes this year. So if the Seahawks can rile him up early, he may not be comfortable for the rest of the game. Making it easier to commit errors.
When on, Drew Brees is more than capable of tearing apart cover 3 or 8 man drop defenses. So don't let him get in the zone. Don't make him comfortable. If the Seahawks can make Drew Brees mentally nervous then they've already won half the battle.
Of course with Red Bryant gone that'll be much harder. Chris Clemons, one of the big surprises this season will be relied heavily on. Who knows, it might be the time where Lofa Tatupu comes up big and makes some noise, something he hasn't done much of this year.
Win The Turnover Battle
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As our friend Herm Edwards once said, YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! But there was something else he said to. And that's if you turn the ball over a bunch of times, it doesn't matter what level your playing at, high school, pee wee, college, pro, your not going to win the game.
The Seahawks have enough going against them, they can't afford to shoot themselves in the foot with a costly interception or a untimely fumble. But that's not the only thing they have to do.
The defense must step up and give the Hawks a minimum of 2 turnovers if they have want to have a chance to win this football game. Marcus Trufant has been pretty quiet, Lofa Tatupu hasn't really done much all around, Earl Thomas is due for another interception, A lot of players are due for a big play, and this would be the best time to execute.
Basically the seahawks need to do the little things right and have a lot of stuff go there way if they want to win the turnover battle, and as a result, possibly winning the game.
Get The 12th Man Pumped Up and Into The Game
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I am about to say this with no regrets or doubts, when on, the 12th man of the Seattle Seahawks are hands-down the loudest crowd in football.
It always amazes me just how loud this place can get. Seattle is a relatively quiet, relaxing city. A very chill atmosphere with lots of drizzly rain showers. But when it comes Seahawk football time, all the quiet rules go out the window.
The place is just insane. It's gotten as loud as a 137 decibels. That number may not mean much to you guys but to scientists that's unheard of. 135-140 is the loudest recommended sound level WITH ear protection. And even then it can hurt your ears. It's as loud as a jet engine.
But when the Seahawks aren't playing well, like they haven't the last couple of years. It can die down real fast. Sure it's loud then, but it's not the same feel as when there up and into it. Matt Hasselbeck has blamed himself and the team on the reason why Qwest Field has died down a bit over the years.
One of the few major advantages the Seahawks have over the Saints is it's a home game. especially since this is a playoff game. The place can be as loud as the Seahawks play. If the Seahawks can get to Drew Brees, or break a long kickoff return run, then the skies going to come crashing down on Quest Field. If not, we'll, the Hawks don't even want to imagine that.
Conclusion
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Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not the Seahawks can get off to a fast start right out of the gate. If the Hawks once again get off to a slow start, then the crowd will grow restless again, and as a result, the Saints will painfully rip them apart.
But if the Seahawks can get off to a fast start, then the fans are only going to get louder, and if the Hawks can build on that fast start, then the fans are going to be even LOUDER.
The opposite will happen to the Saints. As the Hawks get off to a fast start, the Saints will get nervous, and as the fans get louder, the Saints will get frustrated, and as a result of that frustration, they are going to make more mistakes.
So the balls in your court Seahawks, sure the Saints may have a more talented team, but you have a lot of heart, are you going to step up and meet the challenge? Or are you going to play like you did your other 9 losses, the 12th man can only do so much, the rest is up to you.
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