Looks like one of these two will be facing the #1 scoring defense in the first round of the playoffs.
With the Seattle Seahawks manhandling the San Francisco 49ers like Diesel (Kevin Nash) wrestling Chavo Guerrero, they basically locked themselves into the fifth seed for the playoffs. There are some scenarios which the Seahawks can improve their seed, but it would take a (insert holiday here) miracle. So for all intents and purposes, Seattle will be playing the NFC East Division Champion. The champion will be determined with the last game of the regular season on Sunday Night Football when the Dallas Cowboys go to Washington to take on the Redskins. The big question is: which of these teams presents an easier matchup for the Seahawks?
The Washington Redskins would be 10-6 when they would be hosting the Hawks for the Wild Card Round. Looking at the Skins schedule it has been ridiculous easy. Playing only five teams who currently are in or have a shot at the playoffs. Their record was 4-3 with wins against the Ravens, Cowboys, Giants and Vikings. The losses were to Cincinnati, Giants and Atlanta. They would be on seven game winning streak coming into the game against Seattle, which is currently the longest streak in the NFC. Robert Griffin III presents a problems for pass rushers with his elusiveness and has a the second highest quarterback rating in the NFL at 104.1, behind only Aaron Rodgers. The most overlooked player on the Redskins is Alfred Morris, who is fourth in the NFL in rushing. Even with Griffin out two weeks ago, Morris ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Morris is a hard runner and fights for yards, very similar to Marshawn Lynch. The wide receiver that gets the most attention is Pierre Garcon who came back from injury with this current winning streak got started. Coincidence? Don’t sleep on the other receivers, though. They are all capable of making huge plays. Including Garcon, they have four receivers with a touchdown of 68 yards or longer. For some comparison Seattle’s longest touchdown pass is 67 yards.
Redskins Per Game Stats:
Offense – Points: 27.2 (4th) Total Offense: 384.7 (5th) Pass: 222.3 (18th) Rush: 162.3 (1st)
Defense – Points: 24.7 (21st) Total Defense: 383.1 (28th) Pass: 287.7 (30th) Rush: 95.5 (5th)
Green – Favorable for Hawks Red – (Well, you guessed it) Not Favorable for Hawks
The Dallas Cowboys have been disappointing all season, yet, have an opportunity to win the division with at 9-7. They have played a slightly harder schedule than Washington. They have played six teams currently in or have a chance of making the playoffs. The Boys were 2-6 in those games. Their two wins were against the Giants and Bengals. Their losses came to the Bears, Giants, Ravens, Falcons, Redskins and your Seattle Seahawks. Weapons are not a problem for the Cowboys. Tony Romo is third in the league in passing yards behind Brees and Stafford and sixth in touchdown passes. Jason Witten (4th) and Dez Bryant (8th) are both in the top ten in receptions. Dez is also eighth in yards with 1.311. A little perspective, Witten and Bryant have a combined 2,294 yards on 191 catches. Seattle’s top five receivers have a combined 175 receptions for 2,238. DeMarco Murray is a really good running back, but missed six and half games due to injury this season. When Murray scores a touchdown the Cowboys are 4-0. The Cowboys defense was supposed to be stout with the additions of Brandon Carr (Chiefs) and Morris Claiborne (6th overall pick, LSU). That hasn’t been the case due to multiple injures across the defense.
Cowboys Per Game Stats:
Offense – Points: 23.9 (14th) Total Offense: 379.9 (6th) Pass: 302.2 (3rd) Rush: 77.7 (31st)
Defense – Points: 24.8 (23rd) Total Defense: 355.1 (19th) Pass: 239.8 (21st) Rush: 115.3 (17th)
Green – Favorable for Hawks Red – (Well, you guessed it) Not Favorable for Hawks
Now which one of these teams presents a better matchup for the Seahawks? The running game of the Redskins can create problems for Seattle’s defense for sure. Top running teams in the league have had pretty successful days against their defense. San Francisco, Minnesota and Miami all had pretty good days. However, if the Skins less than average defense lets Seattle get up early, that could play well into Seattle’s great pass defense. Seattle has been below average in getting sacks this year, currently sitting 24th in the league with 27. Outside of Chris Clemons (11.5) and Bruce Irvin (8) the rest of the team only has 8.5. However, RG3 has been sacked 29 times which is the 13th most in the NFL. Knowing Washington has to throw takes away the read option and Seattle’s defensive line can pin their ears back and go after RG3. Lots of hits on the Skins’ quarterback could knock him out of the game, he has missed one game and parts of others. Taking away that top running game will be the key to beating the Redskins.
Seahawks Per Game Stats:
Offense – Points: 26.1 (8th) Total Offense: 349.9 (16th) Pass: 188.1 (27th) Rush: 161.7 (2nd)
Defense – Points: 15.5 (1st) Total Defense: 304.5 (4th) Pass: 199.9 (5th) Rush: 104.7 (11th)
Dallas has already played the Seahawks this year and it didn’t go well for Jerry Jones’ crew up in Seattle. A 27-7 hiney whooping showed how Cowboys relying on the pass to move the ball instead running plays right into Seattle’s strength on defense. With Brandon Browner coming back and Richard Sherman beating his PED case, throwing the ball will be a real challenge for the Cowboys. Murray would really need to get it going to make Clemons and Irvin respect the run. That is easier said than done. Brandon Mebane has been a menace inside and Red Bryant is finally getting completely healthy at the right time. Seattle is better than average against the run and Dallas is terrible in producing yards with the ground game and that isn’t a good combo for the Cowboys. The rush defense for the boys from Texas is not good at all and everyone know the Seahawks want to run the ball all game. Keeping the high-powered and quick striking Dallas offense off the field will be Seattle’s goal.
Both teams have some parts that can hurt the Seahawks and both teams can play right into the trap that Seattle has set. If Seattle plays like they have the past three weeks, neither team stands a chance. Although, if they play like they did in Detroit or Miami, both Dallas and Washington will have no problem putting up a ton of points and moving on to the next round. Personally, I would much rather see Dallas. There is less travel, the Seahawks already put it on them and their defense and offense both fall right into Seattle’s strengths. I will say I have been wrong before, i.e. all my early season Russell Wilson chatter. Seattle is much improved and taking on a Cowboys team they already drubbed seems like a shoe-in for a Division Round birth.
