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blstoker
Bill Bergen for HoF!
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- Apr 17, 2013
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- WA
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- Fav. Team #3
Positives:
Russell Wilson - Wilson has had the best season of any quarterback in Seahawk history, crushing nearly every important passing statistic in team history. He's shown himself to be deadly inside the pocket, while maintaining his threat outside as well. He may not win the MVP, but no quarterback in the league has been better than Russell Wilson.
Swarming Backers - Our linebackers are some of the fastest in the league, and they are as skilled as any. Wagner, Wright and Irvin make up a LBing corps that can make all the plays all over the field, while not giving up ground to power backs like Peterson. This unit will need to be sure tacklers and not allow Peterson extra yardage.
Legion of Boom - The Seahawks defense is built a lot more evenly than people give them credit for, what with the Legion's reputation as the best backfield in the NFL. With Bridgewater's lack of skill passing the ball this season, the LOB will need to capitalize on their opportunities and not allow Bridgewater any slack with easy completions.
Negatives:
Revenge - The Seahawks humilitated the Vikings on their home field just 5 weeks ago - putting up 400 yards of offense while limiting the Vikings to a season low 125. Though a win, the Seahawks gave up 409 yards to the Saints at home after similarly humiliating them 5 weeks earlier. Minnesota may not have the potent offense of the Saints of that season, but the motivation to amend for that game is high.
Adrian Peterson - Speaking of that blow out a month ago - Adrian Peterson had the worst game of the season (and 3rd worst of his career). He was extremely frustrated, and with the weather report what it is, he'll likely get a great chance to make a difference.
Linval Joseph - In a game where the running attack will be very important, Joseph is a load to handle right up the middle. He missed the last matchup between these two teams, If Seattle want to run the ball to the heart of this defense, they're gonna have to handle Joseph first (and Barr second).
Nuetral:
Weather - I have heard a lot of Vikings fans express confidence that the Seahawks won't be able to handle the cold, and they will. Personally, I don't think that the Vikings have much of an advantage here. It isn't like they've had any more time to acclimate themselves to the weather - as just yesterday the temperatures were in the mid 30s. It'll be cold, but the drop in temperature will be 30+ degrees for both teams, not just the visitors. Add to the fact that Seattle has the better defense (both overall and against the run) and the better running offense, and the conditions show that Seattle should be able to travel and the weather shouldn't be the cause of any loss that may or may not come.
Officials - The NFL has been plagued this year with some really bad officiating, and I don't know if we're just noticing it more, or if they really have been that much worse than in the past. Minnesota was on the short end of the stick last meeting, but it's a toss up if either, both or neither team will find themselves having to overcome the zebras.
Tyler Lockett vs. Corderelle Patterson - These two men have a lot in common. They are both very fast kick off returners who were 1st team All - Pros as rookies. With the weather possibly going to play a part in how deep kickoffs go, both could have some opportunities to do some damage in the return game. Patterson has a career 30.1 KOR average (2nd all time to Gale Sayer's 30.6) and he returned one to the house against this Seahawks team. Lockett lead the NFL in total return yards this season (1231) and also had a big return his only opportunity in week 13 (47 yards).
Matchups:
Doug Baldwin vs. Captain Munnerlyn - Baldwin is having what is arguably the best season for a Seahawks WR since Steve Largent's 1984 campaign, and 12 of his team record 14 TDs came from the slot (tied NFL record). As the primary nickel defender, Munnerlyn will be the one asked to shadow Baldwin inside, and when not covering Baldwin he won't find life any easier taking on the speedy, sure-handed Lockett.
Michael Bennett/Cliff Avril vs. Matt Kalil/TJ Clemmings - The Seahawks DL has been dominate most of the season, and especially the last 10 weeks. Both DEs for Seattle are having great years, combining for 99 tackles and 19 sacks, and they are always in the backfield. If Minnesota want to get an offense going, it's gonna start with blocking these two players, but it won't end there - as Seattle has a potent DL that can wreck any play.
Russell Okung vs. Everson Griffin - Okung is coming off missing the last two games due to a strained calf, Griffin has been battling some injury issues of his own (shoulder). Okung will have his hands full with Griffin protecting Russell's blind side, as Griffin has 22.5 sacks the last 2 seasons, and had 2 last week against the Packers.
Overview:
If this was a neutral field with perfect conditions, I would take Seattle in a heartbeat. Heck, even as an away game with good conditions, I'd still take Seattle in a heartbeat. But, with the conditions the way they are supposed to be, it'll be whoever responds to the conditions better. Seattle has the better team, and they have been playing better, but in weather like this it all depends on who can adjust and who can't. I still think Seattle should win this, but games like this tend to have some unexpected bounces.
Russell Wilson - Wilson has had the best season of any quarterback in Seahawk history, crushing nearly every important passing statistic in team history. He's shown himself to be deadly inside the pocket, while maintaining his threat outside as well. He may not win the MVP, but no quarterback in the league has been better than Russell Wilson.
Swarming Backers - Our linebackers are some of the fastest in the league, and they are as skilled as any. Wagner, Wright and Irvin make up a LBing corps that can make all the plays all over the field, while not giving up ground to power backs like Peterson. This unit will need to be sure tacklers and not allow Peterson extra yardage.
Legion of Boom - The Seahawks defense is built a lot more evenly than people give them credit for, what with the Legion's reputation as the best backfield in the NFL. With Bridgewater's lack of skill passing the ball this season, the LOB will need to capitalize on their opportunities and not allow Bridgewater any slack with easy completions.
Negatives:
Revenge - The Seahawks humilitated the Vikings on their home field just 5 weeks ago - putting up 400 yards of offense while limiting the Vikings to a season low 125. Though a win, the Seahawks gave up 409 yards to the Saints at home after similarly humiliating them 5 weeks earlier. Minnesota may not have the potent offense of the Saints of that season, but the motivation to amend for that game is high.
Adrian Peterson - Speaking of that blow out a month ago - Adrian Peterson had the worst game of the season (and 3rd worst of his career). He was extremely frustrated, and with the weather report what it is, he'll likely get a great chance to make a difference.
Linval Joseph - In a game where the running attack will be very important, Joseph is a load to handle right up the middle. He missed the last matchup between these two teams, If Seattle want to run the ball to the heart of this defense, they're gonna have to handle Joseph first (and Barr second).
Nuetral:
Weather - I have heard a lot of Vikings fans express confidence that the Seahawks won't be able to handle the cold, and they will. Personally, I don't think that the Vikings have much of an advantage here. It isn't like they've had any more time to acclimate themselves to the weather - as just yesterday the temperatures were in the mid 30s. It'll be cold, but the drop in temperature will be 30+ degrees for both teams, not just the visitors. Add to the fact that Seattle has the better defense (both overall and against the run) and the better running offense, and the conditions show that Seattle should be able to travel and the weather shouldn't be the cause of any loss that may or may not come.
Officials - The NFL has been plagued this year with some really bad officiating, and I don't know if we're just noticing it more, or if they really have been that much worse than in the past. Minnesota was on the short end of the stick last meeting, but it's a toss up if either, both or neither team will find themselves having to overcome the zebras.
Tyler Lockett vs. Corderelle Patterson - These two men have a lot in common. They are both very fast kick off returners who were 1st team All - Pros as rookies. With the weather possibly going to play a part in how deep kickoffs go, both could have some opportunities to do some damage in the return game. Patterson has a career 30.1 KOR average (2nd all time to Gale Sayer's 30.6) and he returned one to the house against this Seahawks team. Lockett lead the NFL in total return yards this season (1231) and also had a big return his only opportunity in week 13 (47 yards).
Matchups:
Doug Baldwin vs. Captain Munnerlyn - Baldwin is having what is arguably the best season for a Seahawks WR since Steve Largent's 1984 campaign, and 12 of his team record 14 TDs came from the slot (tied NFL record). As the primary nickel defender, Munnerlyn will be the one asked to shadow Baldwin inside, and when not covering Baldwin he won't find life any easier taking on the speedy, sure-handed Lockett.
Michael Bennett/Cliff Avril vs. Matt Kalil/TJ Clemmings - The Seahawks DL has been dominate most of the season, and especially the last 10 weeks. Both DEs for Seattle are having great years, combining for 99 tackles and 19 sacks, and they are always in the backfield. If Minnesota want to get an offense going, it's gonna start with blocking these two players, but it won't end there - as Seattle has a potent DL that can wreck any play.
Russell Okung vs. Everson Griffin - Okung is coming off missing the last two games due to a strained calf, Griffin has been battling some injury issues of his own (shoulder). Okung will have his hands full with Griffin protecting Russell's blind side, as Griffin has 22.5 sacks the last 2 seasons, and had 2 last week against the Packers.
Overview:
If this was a neutral field with perfect conditions, I would take Seattle in a heartbeat. Heck, even as an away game with good conditions, I'd still take Seattle in a heartbeat. But, with the conditions the way they are supposed to be, it'll be whoever responds to the conditions better. Seattle has the better team, and they have been playing better, but in weather like this it all depends on who can adjust and who can't. I still think Seattle should win this, but games like this tend to have some unexpected bounces.
