the Seahawks could be dangerous because their quarterback is hot and their defense can pressure the passer, force turnovers and cover on the back end. Any team that beats Dallas (13-1) or Green Bay (12-2) in a road playoff game figures to require those traits. A running game also might help, but the Cowboys in particular appear vulnerable to spread passing teams.
Matt Hasselbeck has flourished since Seattle stopped trying to run the ball on its own terms. The Seahawks are a pass-first team with the personnel to make it work. It starts with the quarterback.
Hasselbeck, 32, is on pace for to reach 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for the first time in his nine-year NFL career. On Sunday, Hasselbeck became the first quarterback since 2003 to toss four touchdown passes against Arizona. He's heating up at the right time and his receiving options should improve.
Starting flanker Deion Branch might not regain top form until a foot injury has time to heal during the offseason, but he's back on the field and contributing. Starting split end D.J. Hackett, a difficult matchup for smaller corners, is close to returning from ankle problems.
Nate Burleson leads Seattle in receiving touchdowns with six, but 34-year-old Bobby Engram is the receiver Hasselbeck trusts the most. Engram, having overcome thyroid issues that threatened his career last season, improbably has two more receptions (76) than Dallas' Terrell Owens.
Lofa Tatupu (51) and Patrick Kerney (right) have been making big plays for the Seahawks' defense. Tatupu recently had a three-interception game; Kerney has a trio of three-sack outings.
As for those Cowboys: No NFC team has defeated them since the Seahawks eliminated Dallas from the playoffs last season.
The Cowboys are much better now, as are the Seahawks, particularly on defense. Seattle's secondary, since revamped, featured former loan officer Pete Hunter in a prominent role when the teams played in January.
Seattle also won in its most recent game against second-seeded Green Bay. Hasselbeck tossed three touchdown passes to beat the Packers last season, joining Tom Brady and Tony Romo as the only quarterbacks to throw three or more against Green Bay in the Packers' last 31 games.
If anyone has a shot at upsetting Dallas or Green Bay in the conference playoffs, it's probably the team with the NFC's best record since 2003. Only New England (63) and Indianapolis (61) own more regular-season victories than the Seahawks (50) over the last five seasons. Seattle also has ample playoff experience.
Seahawks vs. Cowboys...
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Originally Posted by dmp
