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With the division now in the bag the next
target is gaining home field advantage throughout the playoffs. How likely
is win number 11 this weekend? Read on……………
Having just about returned from the Twilight Zone that is Monday Night
Football it reminded me of the last shut out we had: at home to the 49ers.
What odds on two consecutive shutouts? If our last encounter is anything to
go very long.
The Hawks have had a great season with so many plus points. Winning eight
games on the trot does wonders for confidence. The Offense has been very
productive yet again & Shaun Alexander is seemingly scoring at will. Even
more good news is the long awaited return of Darrell Jackson. He’s not
likely to start but he will play some part in the game. Not that the team
have suffered too much without him. Bobby Engram is the perfect possession
receiver & DJ Hackett is getting a reputation as a deep threat. Joe
Jurevicius contribution has also been very significant. Jackson’s return
will simply create more room for Alexander & that’s bad news for all
opposing defenses.
The Defense hardly broke into a sweat on Monday as the defense accounted for
3 of the teams 6 TD’s. Looks like they’ve developed the knack of not only
forcing turnovers but also turning them into points themselves. That skill
may prove crucial in January but perhaps not so necessary this weekend.
San Francisco will doubtless be looking at ways to exploit the absence of 2
TD hero Andre Dyson as Jordan Babineaux moves to starter & Jimmy Williams
will see more time in the Nickel defense. This may not be the smartest of
moves as Babs has developed a knack of making big plays in tight games. The
forced fumble in StLouis on the punt return & the interception to set up
Josh Browns winning Field Goal against Dallas spring to mind. Not bad for a
Rookie.
The 49ers veteran wideouts Brandon Lloyd & Johnnie Morton would fancy their
chances against the Seattle secondary & Lloyd had a big game three weeks
ago. The question is can they get the ball to their receivers before the
Hawks defense meets at the QB? The Seahawks recorded four sacks in SF & you
can expect more of the same Sunday. The injury to RB Kevan Barlow may
actually work in their favour as Maurice Hicks broke some long runs during
the last meeting.
The bottom line is that winning breeds confidence & the niners have managed
that just twice this year. The continuous shuffling at QB doesn’t give the
team much consistency or a leader to focus on. The probable starter for SF,
Alex Smith, has 0 TD’s versus 8 Interceptions.
San Francisco will be without leading Pass Rusher Bryant Young. Jamie
Sharper & Kelly Herndon are still two weeks away from a return & Ken Hamlin
is out for the season. The key for the Hawks this year has been the ability
of back ups to step up to the plate. Take Hamlin’s replacement Marquand
Manuel. Manuel has not had a bad word said about him & he’s pretty good at
dishing out some punishment too.
Unless the Hawks haemorrhage big time there can only be one winner. Seattle
by 14.
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Matt
Cheesman (KingdomeUK)
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