NFL Playoffs: Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks Keys To Winning the NFC

The Seattle Seahawks did not have a great 2010, posting a regular-season record of 7-9, but were champions of the weak NFC West.

A lot of people did not think they should have even been in the playoffs, but they came out and beat the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints.

The Seahawks now will be facing the NFC North champion Chicago Bears and will have to face them at Soldier Field.

Here are some reasons why the Seahawks could make the Super Bowl.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

It Could Be Hasselbeck's Last Stand

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints as his son Henry Hasselbeck is carried off on his back after the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwes

Hasselbeck has had a great career with the Seahawks.  He has been with the team for 10 years and has had a great career that many would consider to be very successful.

Hasselbeck is getting older and fragile, and it is almost time for him to hang up the cleats.  He could have one or two years left in him, but if they make it to the Super Bowl, don't be surprised to see him go out on top.

Underdog

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jon

Everyone loves an underdog and the Seahawks are that team this season.  No one expected them to make it this far, and seeing them go even further would just be a great story for sports.

It would be yet another Cinderella story in the NFL, and I think the slipper fits the Seahawks. 

They Have Momentum

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Jordan Babineaux #27 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ot

The Seahawks secured their playoff berth with a victory over the Rams in the last week of the season and won a game they were underdogs by double digits against the New Orleans Saints.

They are rolling and if they can keep that pace up, the will continue rolling over the competition. 

Marshawn Lynch Entered Beast-Mode Last Week

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattl

Marshawn Lynch really stepped up last weekend and never quit.  The highlight of the weekend was the play where he broke seven or eight tackles and ran for a touchdown.  Although some of that has to do with poor tackling, another part of that run was the heart and never giving up.

Lynch ran for a season high 131 yards and that 67 yard touchdowns I referred to in the above paragraph. If Lynch can continue this against the Bears it will open up the passing lanes for Hasselbeck. 

Hasselbeck Came Off His Injury Extremely Well

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a 45-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley #15 in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on Janu

Hasselbeck came off his injury which forced him to sit against the Rams, with a bang.  Many thought he wouldn't even start the game, but wow did he start.

Against a great Saint's passing defense, Hasselbeck threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns and one interception.  Hasselbeck is playing the best he has all season, and if he continues to do so, no one will beat them.

They Have Already Won at Soldier Field

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs past Colin Cole #90 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Seahawks team has already had experience with beating the Bears at Soldier Field.  They came to Chicago and beat the Bears 23-20 in week six.  Although this is a different Bears team, this will still be an advantage to know they have already done it once. 

Bears Offense Struggled Against Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Kahlil Bell #32 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against Pisa Tinoisamoa #59 and Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Im

The Seahawks showed last week that they were going to score no matter what.  Well the last time the Bears were out on the football field they only put up three points.

Granted the game did not mean anything for Chicago, they were still trying to knock off their division rivals to get them out of the playoffs.  This is a point of concern for the Bears. 

Sacked Cutler 6 Times

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Aaron Curry #59 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Seahawks got to Cutler six times in their first meeting. They know the importance of rattling Cutler's cages, although it will be a lot more difficult this time. 

If the Seahawks can get to Cutler consistently, they will have a great shot at winning the game.  They are coming off a one sack performance agains the Saints, but the Bears are a whole different story.

Packers Are Playing Well

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the pass intended for Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles late in the fourth quarter during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on J

Why is this important you might ask?  

Well if the Packers beat the Falcons, and the Seahawks beat the Bears, the next game would be played at Seattle.  Seattle is one of the loudest places to play in the league, and it is tough for anyone to win there, just ask the Saints.

Having the opportunity to play for the NFC championship at home would definitely give the Seahawks a major advantage, but they have to get through Chicago first. 

Pete Carroll Wins Big Games

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by

Pete Carroll has a great history of winning games in crunch time, and these could be no different.  Carroll had a great college career and that experience in big games will translate over to the pro game.

If Carroll can get his guys fired up for this game and play a flawless game against the Bears, and if the Packers beat the Falcons, it would be hard to bet against the Seahawks.

Although this is a lot to ask for, crazier things have happened in sports, and this would be a great underdog story.