NFC Wildcard: Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins
By Jason Lisk
The Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins was the matchup to circle for the weekend. Let’s hope that it ends up living up to the potential, because so far the games have been pretty uninspiring. This matchup comes down to which team can stop the other team’s dynamic young quarterback and the pistol/spread option run and play action off of it.
Seattle has the better defense on the year, and with their tall corners and athletic front (not to mention that they get to play against some of the similar plays in practice) I like Seattle to have a chance to frustrate the Redskins offense more than normal. Of course, no one has really done it yet, as the Redskins led the league in yards per play on offense. Robert Griffin III is still limited with the knee injury, and that may be a factor if he cannot threaten the run as effectively. He did enough last week versus the Cowboys, though.
Just as important is the other side, where Seattle has been rolling utilizing the spread option runs with Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. The Redskins have been opportunistic but are vulnerable to giving up yards.
Seattle has been much better at home, but they have been competitive on the road and playing better in recent weeks offensively. Washington has won seven in a row, and if they get to eight, will need the defense to step up, and for Robert Griffin III to confound a tough defensive matchup.
The Line: Seattle by 2.5
The Pick: Seattle 30, Washington 24
[photo via USA Today Sports Images]