Preview: Seahawks vs Falcons - NFC Divisional Game

Will the Ryan/Smith combo get it done and win on Sunday?

• It feels as if this could be the beginning of a possible Super Bowl coach/QB duo or this could be the beginning of the end for one or the other. Coming into this season, this core of Falcons players knew that the regular season would mean nothing. Their goal: Get back to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl. After their "2 point" performance last year in wild card game at MetLife, the Falcons know if they lose again in the playoff, this core group could see some major changes in a season or two. However, if they can win this game, this could open up the opportunity for a Super Bowl appearance in their "hated rival's" own backyard. This game is a huge barometer for this Falcons organization going forward.

Seattle Secondary vs Atlanta WR's: Who dominates who?

• This will be the matchup most people would and should want to watch. Seahawks very physical, big secondary vs the Falcons big and speedy WR's. With such offensive explosion, can that be the one thing that can even out the physical play of that Seahawks secondary or will that explosion be put on ice. I don't think the Falcons WR's have been tested to handle the physical play all season. As well, this could be a big test for the Seahawks secondary, who haven't had big, quick WR's like this either. 

Can Wilson continue he's amazing play or will the Falcons stop him?

• Russell Wilson can join Joey Flacco and Mark Sanchez as the only QB's to win their first 2 playoffs games as a rookie. However, it seems to be something different about Wilson. He seems to have been here before, I mean the way he carries himself, to the way he's so calm and relaxed when the pressure is on. He played almost like a poised veteran last week against the Redskins and if he plays anything remotely similar to that in this game, then the Falcons could be in for a long afternoon. 

Will the cross-country trip and the start time of this game help or hurt the Seahawks?

• From Seattle, WA to Washington D.C. is 2,329 miles (4,658 round trip). From Seattle to Atlanta is 1,891. All those miles would equal 6,549 miles in a span of 7 days. Not to mention that the game is a 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific start. This could be a dangerous thing for a team that might be a little slow getting into the game. If the Falcons manage to jump out on the Seahawks, that could be domesday for the Seahawks. However, this team was down 14-0 last week and still won, so hey......maybe they can pull off the road upset. Or maybe not...

X-Factors: Seahawks Pass Rush vs Falcons Pass Rush

• With the injuries to Chris Clemons and John Abraham (although he will play), which pass rush can disturb the other's passing attack?

Confidence Picks: Seahawks (12) vs Falcons (21)

• QB: Wilson (5) vs Ryan (6)
• Defense: SEA (1) vs ATL (7)
• Coaching: Carroll (6) vs Smith (8)

Prediction: 23-20, Seahawks

Preview: Seahawks vs Redskins - NFC Wild Card

Rookie QB's: Wilson vs RGIII:

• Before the start of the season, if I was to ask you that one of these QB's would make it to the playoffs, 100% would of said RGIII hands down. However, Russell Wilson has really come from nowhere and could be the future leader of this Seahawks organization. This match-up will also ensure us that a rookie QB will win its first playoff start (5 have completed this feat so far).

Running Attack: Beastmode vs. Alfred:

• Which running attack will have a good game and which running attack will be responsible for winning this game? This very well could be the reason why each team can disrupt the other team's hot defense. These two RB's are the best RB's not named Adrian Peterson this season. Alfred Morris is 2nd in NFL in yards followed by Marshawn Lynch. However, with both defenses being in the top 10 in run defense, getting those yards could be difficult.

Which hot streak will continue?

• Entering this game, the Seahawks won 5 straight game while the Redskins won 7 straight. Well as the saying goes: "Something has to give". These are the NFC's top two hottest teams and for the rest of the conference, its a good thing they'll play each other early. Redskins we're 3-6 and had started to looking forward to the off-season. Well that's until this team caught lighting in a bottle and haven't lose since their bye week. As for the Seahawks, their winning streak started in a huge make or break game  in Chicago. An overtime win against the Bears sparked a December that most Seahawks fans will remember for a long time. As for which streak will last the longest, well remember before December, the Seahawks wasn't a good road team. As for the Redskins, they haven't lost at home since their bye week. I guess we'll find out is playing at home all built up to be or is their is a such thing as a road warrior.

Can the Seahawks Defense slow down RGIII?

• Well its been 3 weeks since RGIII knee injury against the Ravens. Still wearing the knee brace from that injury, will RGIII be restricted by that brace or the brace of the Seahawks D? One of the most physical defenses in the playoffs will have their hands full. Which leads us to the big question: Can RGIII out throw and out run this defense to lead the Redskins to victory or will the Seahawks Defense  unleash the "Legion of Boom" and limit RGIII mobility?

X-Factor: Seahawks Secondary vs Redskins Pass Defense

• Will the Seahawks secondary be though test for RGIII or will the Redskins Pass Defense get to Wilson?

Confidence Picks: Seahawks (6) vs Redskins (17)

Prediction: 21-17, Seahawks

2012 NFC West Preview

NFC West

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. 49ers (13-3): - Two fumbles keep this team away from going to the Super Bowl in January. A painful way to end what was a great season for this prestige franchise that could be back on the rise after a decade of painful futility. QB Alex Smith may have saved his career with a career season and will be looked upon to make his mark among the great 49ers QB's of the past. However, this team's glaring need of a WR was checked over the off-season with additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss. This should make Smith's life a lot easier and make this 49ers offense more dangerous. Can this 49ers team win the Super Bowl this year??
2. Cardinals (8-8): - The 2008 season seem like a 4 decades ago for this team that made to the Super Bowl. Year one of Kolb is complete with the only problem being: He didn't finish the season. With John Skelton as starter, the Cards finished strong last season, winning 5 of 6 games to end the season at .500. One of the questions will remain for this Cards team: Kolb or Skelton? With the 49ers reloading, Rams rebounding, and Seahawks improving, this leaves the Cards with a huge question moving forward. Can the Cards keep winning with Skelton at the helm or will Kolb make a strong move for the starting QB spot in 2012?
3. Seahawks (7-9): - The Seahawks could of had a worse record then this, but because of two huge road wins, which indeed keep this team afloat for the 2011 season. Going into this season, the Seahawks have a problem....their QB situation. Signing Matt Flynn and drafting Russell Wilson, put incumbent Tarvaris Jackson in a familiar position: Having to fight for his starting QB spot again. Something Jackson has done throughout his career. Another thing could be the signing of WR Terrell Owens and how effective he could be during this season. Two key questions lurk for this team: Who will be the lead signal caller in 2012? Will T.O. be effective enough to help a Seahawks receiver core that, all combined ,would still not equal the hall of fame numbers that T.O. has accumulated over his career?
4. Rams (2-14): - After choosing Bradford over R.G.III in the draft, could adding some help for Bradford be enough to help this team gain some wins in 2012. Maybe the addition of new coach Jeff Fisher could be enough to do the trick as well. This team last season had really nobody to count on and was just a bad team overall. However, with a few WR's added to the team and a few draft picks (thanks to the Redskins) may be enough to turn this team around in the next 2-3 seasons. Can the Rams make it to the playoffs in 2012 after finishing last in the division in 2011??

2012 NFC West Champion: San Francisco 49ers

SF: (11-5)

SEA: (7-9)

ARI: (6-10)

STL: (5-11)