Win or go home time
We’re back baby! The Seahawks travel to the nation’s capital on Sunday to start what I hope will be the first of many playoff games with Russell Wilson under center.
Matchup: Seattle vs. Washington
Date: 1-6-13
Venue: FedEx Field
Time: 1:30 PM (local)
Weather: High 46. Low 34. Mostly sunny
Team Records: Seattle 11-5. Washington 10-6
Final Standings: Seahawks 2nd NFC West. Redskins 1st NFC East
The battle of rookie QB’s takes center stage on Sunday afternoon. RGIII will host Russell Wilson in what should have the winner taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
After the drama of a long season which saw plenty of ups, and a few downs for the Seahawks, it’s time to get this team loaded with bandwagon fans and head off for the Super Bowl.
Gone is the worry of whether or not Russell Wilson should have won the starting job as a 3rd round rookie, he deserved it all season long, ugly losses and all.
This kid is the future of Seattle football, and along with the other pieces that management has put in place, a dynasty akin to the one in New England is not too far fetched of an idea.
Game notes/How they match up
Along with the marquee QB matchup, this game also will offer a battle of genius football minds in Mike Shanahan, and Pete Carroll.
The Skins come in with the best yards per receiving play in the NFL during the regular season, but they will face two of the best corners in the game in freshly reinstated Brandon Browner, and Richard Sherman.
Browner is expected to start this game despite being out for the past four week serving his suspension.
What to watch: Seattle
Of course the biggest question will be will there be any rust in the legs and game play of Brandon Browner.
Missing 4 games takes a lot out of a players fitness levels, and I’m sure the Redskins will test him early to see if he’s lost a step.
And then there’s this; Russell Wilson will be starting the first playoff game of his young career. Can he shake the jitters earlier than he did in the season opener?
Wilson hasn’t had to rely on his top two targets as often the past two weeks, with the likes of Doug Baldwin, Anthony McCoy, and Zach Miller stepping it up, I expect to see both Golden Tate, and Sidney Rice to get their names called more this week as the stakes are a bit higher.
Russell Wilson takes on RGIII Sunday in his first playoff game (Photo: Bleacher Report)
What to watch: Washington
As like it is for the Seahawks, the Redskins will also have the first playoff game jitters of Robert Griffin the 3rd.
RGIII impressed a lot more than Wilson did earlier in the season, but after going down with injury late in the year, his scrambling game may be in question.
Which benefits the Seahawks greatly.
As a team that squeaked into the playoffs, the Skins think they have something to prove to the football world.
Let’s just hope that our defense is up to the task of letting them know that this is our year of destiny.
Seattle O vs. Washington D
I already spoke of the passing game getting it going early for the Hawks on Sunday, but the real offensive weapon is Marshawn Lynch.
He makes this team go, and along with the ever growing stature of Wilson, this ground game will be a tough one to stop for any team.
The scariest member of the Redskins defense is of course London Fletcher. The LB is a beast in the inside, but so far, the Hawks have done a great job of staying clear of big men in the middle.
DeAngelo Hall poses a threat for the Seahawks passing game, but like the past month has gone, the extra options that have stepped up on offense should help in keeping the ball away form Hall.
Washington O vs. Seattle D
RGIII must be contained on the ground, and made to pass the ball. Even though that can be a very scary thought as well.
Bobby Wagner has been the man of D all year long, and I think he will be able to track down RGIII if need be.
It’s about time that Bruce Irvin steps up his game and gets into the backfield. The good thing about a scrambling QB is the opportunity for sacks. So let’s go after him Chis Clemons and Irvin.
Injury Report
Seahawks
Probable: Jeremy Lane, Marshawn Lynch.
Redskins
Out: Domonique Johnson. Questionable: DeJon Gomes, Kory Lichtensteiger. Probable: Lorenzo Alexander, Stephen Bowen, Kirk Cousins, London Fletcher, Pierre Garcon, Robert Griffin III, DeAngelo Hall, Ryan Kerrigan, Will Montgomery, Joshua Morgan, Jordon Pugh, Sav Rocca, Madieu Williams.
Prediction
The Hawks hold the line at 3, but we all know how hard it has been to win on the east coast for this team in the past.
But coming off of two straight wins on the road, this clearly ain’t your daddies Seahawks either.
Seahawks 24 – Redskins 17
CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE SEAHAWKS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE SECTION AT NWSB!