Ok, I'm taking a break from my ranting and raving about prevent defenses and NBA players taking nights off to post a few... :mj07:
Sea (-3) - First off, let me start by saying this isn't a homer play. If anything, I usually pick spots to bet against these guys (which is usually road games, especially east coast road games). I respect the hell out of what Washington has done the last few weeks. They have rallied together and are actually playing for a cause, which is always scary to bet against. Having said that, let's not lose sight of the fact that they needed to win 4 straight games just to snueak into the playoffs. Now they need to play another inspired effort, 3,000 miles from home? How much do they have left in the tank?
Also, the key to beating Seattle is by throwing the football. They have a pretty strong D-line and a very good linebacking corps. Their secondary can definitely be thrown on. I personally don't think that bodes well for the Skins. Moss and Cooley will get their catches, but I don't see Collins having a monster. And while Portis won't get shut down, I expect him to finish somewhere between 70 and 100 yards.
On the other side, the Hawks will not be able to run the ball. I don't think that's a secret. Luckily for them, that isn't much of a problem. In fact, Holmgren said about halfway through the season that they were going to become a pass 1st team (they were trying to go 50/50 run-pass up until then). They'll sprinkle in some running plays when needed, but make no mistake, this team will pass probably 70% of the time. They have a very good QB and although they don't have a top-flight #1 WR, they have 4 very solid guys they can throw the ball too (Branch, Engram, Hackett, Burleson). That is HUGE when you run a quick strike, West Coast offense.
Lastly, I can't forget to mention the homefield advantage for this team. Does anyone else remember the Carolina game from 2 years ago? Yes, I know this isn't the same Seahawks team that went to the SB. But it's the same crowd. The noise will be deafening. Redskins will have trouble audibling out of plays and I expect a lot of false starts, as usual with Hawks home games. Again, no disrespect to what the Skins have done, but I do think Seattle is still the better team. I read somewhere today that in the last 10 weeks the Seahawks lost 3 games, all ON THE ROAD, and all by 3 points. 2 of those games were at the end of the year when they had already locked up the NFC West title and had nothing to play for. Can you imagine what the Hawks would be favored by if they won those games and were 13-3? I'm guessing a TD, minimum. Huge value in getting them at a FG at home here IMO. If the Skins cover, they will win outright. And if they do that, I'll just have to tip my cap.
Pittsburgh (+3) - Another game where the home team is getting tremendous value. Don't worry, I don't have a War and Peace synopsis on this one like I did the Hawks game. But I do love that Jax is being asked to go into Pittsburgh two times and come out with wins, both times, in just a matter of few weeks. I have to think Pitt's D is embarrassed by their last effort against Jax. They got destroyed. I don't see Jax going crazy on offense like the last game. I also don't think the loss of "Fast" Willie Parker (seriously, is that the worst nickname in sports or what?) will be as evident as some people think. Davenport isn't as good as Parker, but he's not a complete slouch. I think he will be able to do enough to keep Jax's D honest, and I think Big Ben will do a good job of managing the game.
Unlike the last game I think this will be a low-scoring, defensive struggle. I also think Pitt wins this game outright. I'm thinking something along the lines of 20-17? :shrug:
GL as always gents...
P.S. So far it's a clear day in Seattle. No wind, no rain at all...
Sea (-3) - First off, let me start by saying this isn't a homer play. If anything, I usually pick spots to bet against these guys (which is usually road games, especially east coast road games). I respect the hell out of what Washington has done the last few weeks. They have rallied together and are actually playing for a cause, which is always scary to bet against. Having said that, let's not lose sight of the fact that they needed to win 4 straight games just to snueak into the playoffs. Now they need to play another inspired effort, 3,000 miles from home? How much do they have left in the tank?
Also, the key to beating Seattle is by throwing the football. They have a pretty strong D-line and a very good linebacking corps. Their secondary can definitely be thrown on. I personally don't think that bodes well for the Skins. Moss and Cooley will get their catches, but I don't see Collins having a monster. And while Portis won't get shut down, I expect him to finish somewhere between 70 and 100 yards.
On the other side, the Hawks will not be able to run the ball. I don't think that's a secret. Luckily for them, that isn't much of a problem. In fact, Holmgren said about halfway through the season that they were going to become a pass 1st team (they were trying to go 50/50 run-pass up until then). They'll sprinkle in some running plays when needed, but make no mistake, this team will pass probably 70% of the time. They have a very good QB and although they don't have a top-flight #1 WR, they have 4 very solid guys they can throw the ball too (Branch, Engram, Hackett, Burleson). That is HUGE when you run a quick strike, West Coast offense.
Lastly, I can't forget to mention the homefield advantage for this team. Does anyone else remember the Carolina game from 2 years ago? Yes, I know this isn't the same Seahawks team that went to the SB. But it's the same crowd. The noise will be deafening. Redskins will have trouble audibling out of plays and I expect a lot of false starts, as usual with Hawks home games. Again, no disrespect to what the Skins have done, but I do think Seattle is still the better team. I read somewhere today that in the last 10 weeks the Seahawks lost 3 games, all ON THE ROAD, and all by 3 points. 2 of those games were at the end of the year when they had already locked up the NFC West title and had nothing to play for. Can you imagine what the Hawks would be favored by if they won those games and were 13-3? I'm guessing a TD, minimum. Huge value in getting them at a FG at home here IMO. If the Skins cover, they will win outright. And if they do that, I'll just have to tip my cap.
Pittsburgh (+3) - Another game where the home team is getting tremendous value. Don't worry, I don't have a War and Peace synopsis on this one like I did the Hawks game. But I do love that Jax is being asked to go into Pittsburgh two times and come out with wins, both times, in just a matter of few weeks. I have to think Pitt's D is embarrassed by their last effort against Jax. They got destroyed. I don't see Jax going crazy on offense like the last game. I also don't think the loss of "Fast" Willie Parker (seriously, is that the worst nickname in sports or what?) will be as evident as some people think. Davenport isn't as good as Parker, but he's not a complete slouch. I think he will be able to do enough to keep Jax's D honest, and I think Big Ben will do a good job of managing the game.
Unlike the last game I think this will be a low-scoring, defensive struggle. I also think Pitt wins this game outright. I'm thinking something along the lines of 20-17? :shrug:
GL as always gents...
P.S. So far it's a clear day in Seattle. No wind, no rain at all...
