The SuperBowl Losers' Curse

[Immanuel]

That right there tells me you're being thick-headed. I'm saying BASED ON THE FACTS of how Seattle has been playing, there's little reason to think they'd be anything less than competitive against the pack or the boys. The WORST possible circumstance is for Alexander to get healthy, and the hawks start wasting plays called to him.

Based on facts?

I don't think so. The "facts" don't stand up. Both the Cowboys and the Packers are having phenomenal years while the 'hawks barely look better than the average team, yet you think that the 'hawks can compete against either one of them? Sorry, I don't see it happening. The 'hawks are NOT a super team this year. Both Romo and Favre will pick your defense apart, chew them up and spit them out.

The Seahawks just don't have what is needed this time around.

But, I DO wish your team success against both the Cowboys and Packers. I'd like nothing more than come the end of the NFC championship game to post here saying that you were right.

I despise the Cowboys and have ever since Jerry Jones bought them and I don't like Brett Favre. He's a great QB but wiping that darned smile off his face is a dream game come true.

{edit}

Oh and one more thing, as a long time Raider fan, I know what it is like to believe my team is the greatest. It took me years to finally wake up and realize that they are nothing but has beens and that it is time to kick Al Davis' butt into retirement.

Immie

[darin]

Based on facts?

I don't think so. The "facts" don't stand up. Both the Cowboys and the Packers are having phenomenal years while the 'hawks barely look better than the average team, yet you think that the 'hawks can compete against either one of them? Sorry, I don't see it happening. The 'hawks are NOT a super team this year. Both Romo and Favre will pick your defense apart, chew them up and spit them out.

The Seahawks just don't have what is needed this time around.

Immie

You clearly don't watch Football games or follow the sport when you can't watch games. That's fine. This might help.

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.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...t&lid=tab6pos1

Of course, I'm sure you are more football smart than Sando and Tuna.

[Immanuel]

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. Note: Paybacks are a Bitch!!

The Cowboys are much better now, as are the Seahawks Really?, 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. Last season, Favre was ready to retire... this season, Favre is playing like he is 25 again.

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.

There are a lot of variables in there... a lot of if's. Especially that last one. "If Anyone has a shot"... not "The Seahawks have a shot" or "The Seahawks can beat..." well, of course they can win but that will take a lot of things falling into place in order to happen.

Immie

PS Hopefully my standing up for the Cowboys (Wow! If my dad read this, he'd croak!) and the Packers will bring them bad luck!

[5stringJeff]

Are the Seahawks competitive? Yeah. However, they do play in the NFC West, in which Appalachian State could finish second, were they given the chance. So that makes them look a little better in comparison. The Hawks could probably win if they were in the NFC South. No way would they win the NFC East or North. That's why I don't think they'll be able to get to the Super Bowl this year.

[Trigg]

COLTS


Again in 08

[darin]

There are a lot of variables in there... a lot of if's. Especially that last one. "If Anyone has a shot"... not "The Seahawks have a shot" or "The Seahawks can beat..." well, of course they can win but that will take a lot of things falling into place in order to happen.

Immie

There are IFs for EVERY NFL GAME.

IF Romo doesn't have an aneurysm. IF Farve doesn't throw 10 pics.

What you're really saying is "The IFs only Apply to teams you don't follow"