Redskins Riding Emotional Wave to Seattle
Expect the Redskins defense to keep Shaun Alexander under control since pretty much ever team he has faced this year has done the same. He just hasn’t been the same runner this year and probably won’t be a big factor in this game. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if head coach Mike Holmgren turns to backup Maurice Morris if Alexander struggles out of the gate.
Conversely, the performance of Redskins running backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts could be critical. Seattle is likely to stack the box against them, and try to take them out of the game. Fortunately for the Redskins, Todd Collins has stepped in admirably at quarterback for the injured Jason Campbell, actually adding some consistency to the team’s passing attack.
Of course, on the other side of the field you have Matt Hasselbeck, who is a tried and true veteran of the post-season having taken the Seahawks to the Super Bowl just two years ago. His presence and leadership, along with home-field advantage, tip the balance in Seattle’s favor, in my opinion.
The biggest key to this game, however, will be the performance of the defenses. With more playmakers on that side of the ball, and the energy of the crowd to feed off of, I look for a stronger performance by the Seahawks. The Redskins secondary could have a tough time hanging with Seattle’s receivers, especially if their pass rush remains as inconsistent as it was most of the regular season.
Expect this to be a tight, hard-fought contest. But in the end the Seahawks should prevail.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Redskins 17
Comments
James Alder is my favorite “sports guy” in the business and you have to think playing at Qwest Feild with that crowd leans towards a Seahawks victory much like in 05′ when they beat the Skins 20-10. However, since then the skins have been relentless in trying to fix the errors that plagued them that game.. most notibly.. the passing attack. In 05′ an ultra conservative Mark Brunell had nobody to throw too except for Santana Moss and a younger Chris Cooley. This year the skins have many more options with the likes of Randel El, Reche’ Caldwell, ( 10 times a better reciever than Brandon Lloyd and 20 times cheaper ) Keenen Mcardell, and Clinton Portis thriving in the check down game with Collins at the helm. I look for this offense to keep up with Seattle early while eventually wearing them down in the second half with the power running game that Gibbs loves. The Skins defense will have its hands full with the speedy Seahawks recievers but Hasselback’s throwing hand is banged up and I expect the aggressive secondary of the Skins to capitolize on a couple of balls that get away from him. It will be close but the Skins jump on the Seahawks early and hold on in the second half for a 23-20 Victory. ( P.S. )Then they get to go to Dallas for a Cowboys-Redskins game that hasn’t been as important for the last 25 years.