Seattle Seahawks: 5 Things to Watch in Week 5 vs. the New York Giants

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing to make a trip that, historically, has not been favorable for the franchise. They have not beaten the Giants in New York since before most of the current players were born (1983). They have also struggled winning on the east coast in early games, winning just one of their last 12.

If the Seahawks are going to make a serious run at the NFC West division title in 2011, something has to give. 

Just as that statement is obvious, so are some of the keys to watch in the Week 5 matchup vs. the Giants. I've attempted to take a somewhat different spin on a few of these, though.

I will provide a follow-up to some of these items on Friday in my weekly game preview. Until then, here are five themes to keep in mind leading up to Sunday.

Can the Seahawks Perform on the East Coast in an Early Matchup?

The Seahawks are certainly known for being a better home team than road team. Fans are also wondering if Seattle can win an early game on the east coast.

They did manage to travel to Chicago and win an early kickoff in Week 6 of the 2010 season. That was coming off of a bye week, though, allowing the team a little extra time to adjust their body clocks to an early start time.

Seattle lost their other two early starts of 2010 and are 7-25 in non-division 10:00 AM PT games since 2003.

The NFL was quick to act when the New England Patriots and other east coast teams complained about having to travel to the west coast. They enacted a schedule change that would preclude teams from making two trips to the Pacific Time Zone in the same season.

However, despite strong evidence that west coast teams have issues with early starts, no schedule adjustments have been made to keep Pacific Time Zone teams from playing early games on the east coast.

The Seahawks have five such contests this season, and help from the league isn't likely going to be forthcoming. Pete Carroll has been experimenting with adjusting schedules to prepare for early starts; he needs to find a solution to this issue or the Seahawks will face another rough road season.

Play a Complete Game: Fire Early and Finish Strong

Tied in closely with the early start, the Seattle Seahawks must play their first complete game of the season to win in New York. 

Pete Carroll and his staff have shown a remarkable ability to make solid halftime adjustments. However, their initial gameplans don't seem to have the same fervor.

The Seahawks need to have a plan to contain the Giants' pass rush, while finding one of their own. They also need to create matchup advantages against the Giants' receivers and use their front-four defensive linemen to cover the ground game. 

A better plan out of the gate should help the Seahawks in their effort to score in all four quarters, a feat they are yet to accomplish in the 2011 season. They've had major issues in the first half, as seen in their scoring by quarter:

First: 3
Second: 10
Third:     28
Fourth: 17

Attitude of the Seahawks' Offense Following Field Goal Decision in Week 4

Monday morning quarterbacks have had their fair share of fun dissecting Pete Carroll's decision to attempt a 61-yard field goal at the end of Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Some have argued that he sent a message to his offense saying that he didn't trust him with the game on the line.

It will be interesting to see what attitude the unit plays with on Sunday. I'm not going to buy into the thought that Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice and the rest of the offense will see Carroll's decision as a referendum on their capability.

Rather, Carroll's decision will be seen as confidence in the kicker.

Carroll's decision was also likely designed to protect the psyche of the offense. While putting trust in the kicker isn't necessarily a reflection on the offense, giving them the opportunity to gain the first down could have been costly. A failed fourth-down effort in Week 4 could have easily followed the unit to New York.

This week, they will take the field with a clean slate.

Health of the New York Giants' Defensive Line

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora have been struggling with injuries. Neither is certain to play but, as of Wednesday, both expect to be in the lineup on Sunday.

The Giants are only averaging three sacks a game this season. Umenyiora returned to the lineup last week in a tight win at Arizona and logged just two tackles. However, they happened to be two of the four sacks on Kevin Kolb. Umenyiora also had one of four QB hits for the Giants.

A healthy Tuck added to Umenyiora's efforts could prove to be too much for the Seahawks' offensive line. The unit is improving, particularly at the offensive tackle positions. However, a healthy defensive line will run stunts at and over Paul McQuistan who is filling in for the injured Robert Gallery at left guard. 

Similar efforts will likely be directed at James Moffitt, the rookie right guard for the Seahawks. Seattle will need solid communication and an elevated effort to protect their quarterback in Week 5.

Tarvaris Jackson: Was Week 4 an Anomaly or Did Pete Carroll Open Up the Offense

Few things in recent seasons have been as energy-filled as discussions over whom the starting quarterback should be. Last season there was a small rumble from select fans that wanted Charlie Whitehurst to take over for Matt Hasselbeck.

The 2011 season has been full of fans clamoring for Whitehurst to get his opportunity to be the starting quarterback. They claim that it's is either his turn, he's earned it or he couldn't possibly do any worse than Jackson.

None of those three statements are true.

I've taken a fair amount of criticism for supporting the coaching staff. My contention has been they see much more than anyone and are giving the Seahawks the best opportunity to win. 

I've also held, at least prior to the Week 4 rally vs. the Atlanta Falcons, that Jackson has been doing exactly what has been asked of him. He's been making smart decisions, although some may argue he's making them too slowly, he's not turned the ball over and the coaching staff has held him back from displaying his full ability.

In my summary leading up to last Sunday's game I mentioned the coaching staff would have to unleash Jackson and the Seahawks' offense. Several readers found humor in that, but I don't believe anyone is laughing now.

Jackson threw for a career-best 319 yards last week. He did it by making some of the same decisions he's made during the first four games, but also by throwing a few more balls downfield. The difference didn't seem to be Jackson doing things he hasn't been doing in Seattle. Rather, he had better protection and the coaching staff finally told him it was acceptable to take a few chances and open up the offense.

Staying out on that limb, look for Jackson to continue to put up solid numbers as long as his offensive line can give him time to throw the ball. The Giants aren't likely to sit back and let Jackson bring the game to them.

The health of New York's defensive line, and ability to get hands and bodies on Jackson, will dictate how big a game the Seahawks' offense will have.