The Hawkaholics

[stephenvegas]

Here is the preview for today's game:

Preview | Seahawks at Falcons, 10 a.m.,

Seattle vs. Atlanta

at Georgia Dome

Kickoff: 10 a.m. TV: Ch. 13 Radio: 710 AM

The line: Falcons by 1 ½

Key questions

1. Is this a meaningless game? As far as playoff positioning, yes. The Falcons are 3-12 in a nightmare of a season full of off-field distractions. The Seahawks are 10-5 and set as the NFC's third seed in the playoffs. This game is for pride for Atlanta, and momentum for Seattle.

2. Is it time to look ahead to the playoffs? Right after the game, yes. Well, maybe a few hours after. That's when the Seahawks will know which team — Washington, Minnesota or New Orleans — will be coming to Qwest Field next weekend.

3. What are some things to watch for today? If the Seahawks allow 13 or fewer points, they'll set the franchise record for fewest points allowed in a season. Running back Shaun Alexander needs 10 yards to pass Earl Campbell for 24th place on the NFL all-time rushing yards list and one rushing touchdown to become the eighth player in NFL history to have 100. Return man Nate Burleson needs 40 yards to pass Bobby Joe Edmonds for first place all-time in franchise history for punt return yards.

4. What do we find if we take a look inside the numbers on defense? The Seahawks are third in the NFL in sacks with 43 and are tied for second with 134 sacks since the start of the 2005 season. They are tied for second in the NFL in three-and-outs forced with 50. They have allowed 11 touchdown passes, the fewest in the NFL. They have held opponents scoreless in six of the past eight quarters, and the 104 points they have given up in the second half of games this season is the fewest in the league.

5. Is Marcus Trufant the anti-DeAngelo Hall? Sure looks that way. Hall is the outspoken, at times emotional and seemingly arrogant cornerback for the Falcons who has gone to two Pro Bowls. Trufant is the Seahawks' top corner, a player known more for speaking with his play than trash talk who will make his first Pro Bowl appearance this season. Trufant has seven interceptions to Hall's five this season.

Notable

Seahawks: Mike Holmgren trails Washington's Joe Gibbs by one game as the winningest active head coach in the NFL. His 169-108 career record trails Gibbs' 170-100 mark. ... Seattle boasts the NFC's best record since the beginning of the 2003 season at 51-28. ... Josh Brown needs three field goals to pass Todd Peterson for second-place all time on Seattle's season list. ... DE Patrick Kerney needs 2 ½ sacks to set a Seattle season record (Michael Sinclair, 16 ½ in 1998).

Falcons: Former Western Washington player Michael Koenen is the Falcons' punter. ... The Falcons are 2-8 against Seattle all-time and have lost the last four meetings. ... Seahawks defensive coordinator John Marshall was the defensive coordinator for Atlanta from 1983-1985. ... WR Laurent Robinson was born at Fort Lewis. ... S Lawyer Milloy is from Tacoma and played at Washington.

Injury report

Seahawks: DT Rocky Bernard (groin) and LB Niko Koutouvides (knee) are out. WR Deion Branch (calf) and LT Walter Jones (shoulder) are questionable. S Mike Green (knee) is probable.

Falcons: LB Marcus Wilkins (shoulder) is doubtful. CB David Irons (hamstring), WR Michael Jenkins (quadriceps) and S Lawyer Milloy (hip) are questionable. DE Jamaal Anderson (knee), DT Tim Anderson (knee), CB Antoine Harris (knee), WR Joe Horn (foot) and QB Byron Leftwich (ankle) are probable.

Last game Seahawks: Seattle clinched the fifth double-digit victory season in franchise history with a 27-6 pasting of the Baltimore Ravens in the regular-season home finale. Linebacker Leroy Hill returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown, Nate Burleson caught his team-leading seventh TD of the season, and Alexander took a screen pass 14 yards for a touchdown and rushed for 73, his highest total since Week 4. Twenty-one of the Seahawks' points came in the second quarter, by the far the most productive quarter for the Seahawks this season with 126 points scored.

Falcons: Atlanta traveled to Arizona and lost to the Cardinals in overtime, 30-27, when Neil Rackers kicked one field goal to force overtime and another one to win the game. The Falcons dropped their sixth game in a row despite rallying to take a 27-24 lead with 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Receiver Roddy White had 12 catches for 141 yards, and quarterback Chris Redman passed for 315. Running back Jason Snelling and receiver Laurent Robinson, both rookies, scored their first career NFL TDs.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or [e-mail]

Who has the advantage?
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST
Seattle × × × × × × ×
Atlanta ×

note: The Falcons are only listed as having the advantage at RB.

[stephenvegas]

I'm not even completely unpacked after flying back to Las Vegas from Seattle tonight. But my Seahawks jersey is out and ready to go so in less than 8 hours from now I can be at the local Seahawks bar of my choice for today's game at Atlanta.

Hey Trent Lawless- Blue Birds over the Black Birds (inside joke- if you're not Trent Lawless than you probably just don't understand).

Go Seahawks!

[stephenvegas]

Dammit,

I realize the Seahawks had the #3 seed locked up regardless of today's outcome and I know they deactivated guys like Walter Jones and Deion Branch and took many if their starters but after halftime, but I still wanted to win this game.

It's still unknown which team is coming to Qwest Field next weekend to play the Seahawks in the playoffs - but it won't be the Saints. After losing to Chicago today, the season is now over for New Orleans.

[stephenvegas]

It's now official: Seahawks host the Redskins next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

[Trent Lawless]

Yeah, and being in the Washington media market with some Redskin fan friends, I just hope they win.

Eh, it's a home game. Better than even chance.

[stephenvegas]

markcpc said:

Yeah, and being in the Washington media market with some Redskin fan friends, I just hope they win.

Eh, it's a home game. Better than even chance.

I think the line will be somewhere between -5 and -7 for Seattle. But I won't bet on that game because I never bet on the Seahawks to win unless it's something like -1 because I don't want to be in a situation where they win but I am not as happy about it because they possibly didn't cover the spread.

The Redskins are a good team. Hopefully the Hawks will defeat them at Qwest Field just like they did in the playoffs two years ago.

[stephenvegas]

I'm read some analysts predict Washington with their momentum will defeat the Seahawks on Sunday. Also, from what I'm hearing alot of people here in Las Vegas are putting their money on the Redskins. The last time I checked the local line it was Seattle -4 but I don't know if its shifted since then.

Washington will be tough to defeat and they're the hottest team in the NFC right now with a 4 game winning streak. But you don't just stroll into Qwest Field and pick up a victory.

I just read this article published this morning which backs up some of the things I have been saying on this thread about the Seahawks great home field advantage:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2004103337_hawk02.html

As mentioned in the article, the Seahawks went 7-1 at home this year to improve their record at Qwest Field to 33-7 since 2003- the second best home record in the entire NFL during that time period. Also, the 60,000 plus Hawkaholic fans easily make Qwest Field one of the loudest stadiums in the entire NFL which is demonstrated by the fact that oppsoing teams have committed 68 false start penalties since 2005 which the article says is easily the most in the NFL during that time period.

So, although I won't bet on the game because I usually don't bet on the Seahawks, I am in the minority because I really think the Seahawks can win this game on Saturday.

[stephenvegas]

Here is some news from this morning's edition of The Washington Post (the Redskins' local newspaper) that mentions both the Redskins' concern about Matt Hasselbeck and the impressive home field advantage that Qwest Field gives the Seahawks:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/02/AR2008010203036.html?sub=new

[Trent Lawless]

I'm cautiously optimistic, let's just say that.

After this game, maybe not so much!

[stephenvegas]

Here is a printable Hawkaholics (12th man) card :

seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2007/12/28/2004097033.pdf

[stephenvegas]

Accuscore says, at about 58%, that the Seahawks will defeat the Redskins tomorrow:


On a neutral field, this would be a 50-50 coin flip, but Seattle has a significant home field advantage and is winning 59 percent of simulations. The Redskins run defense is forecasted to shut down Shaun Alexander (just 50 yards rushing), but Matt Hasselbeck is forecasted for over 270 yards and is averaging nearly 2 TD passes to help Seattle post 21+ pts. The Seahawks defense is sacking Todd Collins 70 percent more than Washington is sacking Hasselbeck. While Collins has a simulation rating of 85, the pressure he feels does result in 1.3 turnovers (interceptions plus lost fumbles) and this advantage helps Seattle get an emotional win at home.

accuscore.com/option,com_acc_nfl_game_preview/tab,stats/Itemid,207/game_id,257/

[Trent Lawless]

I do agree with Alexander getting shut down and the Seahawks having the potential to put 21+ on the board. I just hope our Pro Bowl defensive standouts hold up.

[stephenvegas]

I really wish I knew how to post images.

But if you click on this link you'll see something absolutely awesome:

The famous WaMu building in downtown Seattle closed all their windows to shape the # 12- the symbol of the 12th man (the Hawkaholics).

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/index.html

[stephenvegas]

Also, here's a preview for today's playoff game:

Capsule Preview | Seahawks vs. Redskins, 1:30 p.m., TV: Ch. 5

Seattle vs. Washington at Qwest Field

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. TV: Ch. 5 Radio: KIRO (710 AM)

The line: Seahawks by 3 ½

Key questions

1. Will Matt Hasselbeck be bothered by his wrist injury?: It is on his throwing hand, but Hasselbeck did his best to protect it this week in practice and threw the ball well. It's not a sprain or a break, just soreness, and certainly something the Seahawks QB can overcome. Unless the Seahawks can't stop the Washington blitz, which will come from anywhere at any time. And if the defense gets its licks on Hasselbeck time after time, the wrist could be re-injured.

2. Who will Clinton Portis come dressed as?: Portis doesn't do the whole dress-in-disguise thing anymore, when a couple years ago he would find stuff lying around the locker room and make the items into costumes he wore for interview sessions. Today Portis will be dressed as a punisher, because that's what he does to opponents. He has been an all-around threat as a runner and receiver during Washington's four-game win streak, but Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu said Portis is underrated as a blocker, having taken out many linebackers with his hits.

3. Keys to victory for Seattle?: Put pressure on Washington QB Todd Collins, who is due for a bad game since becoming the starter last month. Collins is playing out of this world for a journeyman QB. Protect Hasselbeck and give him the time to hit receivers in one-on-one coverage. Pick up the blitzes. Create turnovers. Thrive on the home-field advantage.

4. Keys to victory for Washington?: Take the crowd out of the game early. Get to Hasselbeck and make the Seahawks one-dimensional. Maintain a high emotional level.

5. How tough is the NFC playoff field?: Let's just say it's a pretty open field. The top two teams, Dallas and Green Bay, can certainly be beaten. The Packers lost at Dallas and twice to Chicago. The Seahawks defeated the Bears. The Cowboys lost to Washington and Philadelphia, a team the Seahawks also took care of. Tampa Bay has Jeff Garcia, the New York Giants come from the rugged NFC East along with two other playoff teams, and Washington is playing with passion.

Notable

Seahawks: Seattle trails the all-time series with Washington 9-5, but won the last meeting in the playoffs in 2006. ... K Josh Brown set career highs in field-goal attempts (34), field goals made (28), points scored (127) and touchbacks (13). ... Nate Burleson set Seattle season records in punt returns (58) and punt-return yards (658) and currently ranks second in franchise history in career punt returns (92) and punt-return yardage (980). He also tied his career high with nine receiving touchdowns (2004 with Minnesota). ... Matchup to watch: Pro Bowl DE Patrick Kerney vs. Washington RT Stephon Heyer, an undrafted rookie out of Maryland who has five career NFL starts.

Washington: Washington plays its 40th playoff game in franchise history (23-16). ... Three players were selected to Pro Bowl — TE Chris Cooley, OT Chris Samuels and deceased S Sean Taylor. ... Cooley's eight TDs were the most among NFC tight ends in the regular season. ... WR Santana Moss had seven catches for 103 yards and a TD in divisional-playoff loss at Seattle in 2006. He has four career postseason TDs and averages 36.5 yards per TD. ... DE Phillip Daniels, LG Pete Kendall and OLB Randall Godfrey are all starters and ex-Seahawks.

Injury report

Seahawks: WR Deion Branch (calf) is questionable. LB Niko Koutouvides (knee) is probable.

Washington: QB Jason Campbell (knee) is out. WR James Thrash (ankle) is questionable.

Last game Seahawks: The Seahawks ended the regular season in Atlanta with a 44-41 loss. Seattle rested Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander for the second half, and starting LBs Tatupu, Leroy Hill and Julian Peterson were not on the field in the fourth quarter. Three key Seahawks weren't in uniform — DT Rocky Bernard, LT Walter Jones and WR Deion Branch. Burleson scored twice and had 119 receiving yards and the Seahawks led 27-20 going into the fourth quarter, but backup QB Seneca Wallace fumbled twice and threw an interception and Burleson was offside before recovering an onside kick with less than a minute to play, ending Seattle's hopes of forcing overtime or winning.

Washington: With a playoff spot on the line and in control of its own destiny, Washington handled its business and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-6 at home. Washington held Dallas to 147 total yards. Collins threw his fifth TD pass without an interception in December, and Portis ran for 104 yards. Undrafted rookie DE Chris Wilson had two sacks.


This game today really means alot to me. The Seahawks are my favorite NFL team who I grew up with and I want them to win.

Go Seahawks!

[rawhide]

really informative stuff mr. v .

[rawhide]

i saw it and its pretty cool. Where i live they do the same before new years at one of the colleges. looks cool from a distance. ;D

[stephenvegas]

rawhide said:

i saw it and its pretty cool. Where i live they do the same before new years at one of the colleges. looks cool from a distance. ;D

That's cool.

Hopefully Trent Lawless or someone else knows how to post that image on here from the WaMu building. That image is so sweet.

[Trent Lawless]

Check your PM box for instructions, Mr. V.

[mwjergs]

I would expect a win for the Hawks today.
Living in Baltimore we are flooded with Skins coverage as well and I unfortunately see as much of their games as the Ravens.

I think Hasslebeck needs a 2 TD game to win it at home and he should be able to produce that.
Hawks 23
Skins 21

[stephenvegas]

markcpc said:

Check your PM box for instructions, Mr. V.

I tried posting it about 4 or 5 times, but for some reason I kept getting a blank screen when I tried to post the image.