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Whilst the national media have been making a
big deal over the “Poison Pen Bowl” the players of both teams will have
other issues to focus on. Both have the priority of catching the Bears &
with Chicago on their bye week this is a great opportunity for either team
to make up lost ground.
The Vikings boast the leagues 5th ranked Defense which has played a very big
part in their 3-2 record contributing 3 of their 8 total TDs. Two of those
scores came last week against Detroit.
Commentators have been making a big deal about Hutchinson's absence from the
Seahawks offensive line. The biggest problem the Hawks have faced so far is
keeping his replacement healthy. Floyd Womack is currently sidelined by
injury & has been subbed by projected starting Center Chris Spencer. The
shuffling of personnel on the Offensive line has affected output in the
opening weeks but now things seem to be settling down.
Shaun Alexander's absence continues this week as the team want to ensure his
broken toe is properly healed before letting him practice again. Mo Morris,
pictured left against the Vikings in 2004, will have to continue the form he
showed in the second half of the Rams game to keep the Vikings defense
honest against the run. Bobby Engram is another absentee owing to illness. This will give DJ Hackett
another chance to shine ahead of former Viking Nate Burleson.
Summary
The Vikings have lost their games by 3 & 5 points. Their three wins have
come by margins of 3,3 & 9 points. They’ll have to rely on their Defense to
keep them in the game as their offense is currently not producing the goods.
Keeping RB Chester Taylor quiet will be a priority for the Seattle defense
as the Vikings win when Taylor gets 100 yards or more.
Seeing Jerramy Stevens back in uniform again would help the Seahawks
enormously as he is a headache for Safeties in coverage. He is expected to
play this week but he trained and was expected to play last week before
being a late scratch.
The 12th man will help see the Hawks to victory with the Vikings proud
record of surrendering just 7 sacks all season taking a battering as it
rises into double figures.
With the game being live on Sky at 9:15pm we
have the first big meet up of the season (apart from the one in Seattle!)
who will be gathering at Geoff's local in Kent. Please see the forum for
further details.
As ever, the game will be followed live in our
exclusive
Seahawkers UK chat room (no jeans or trainers please) where the
properly attired are more than welcome.
Whilst there we like to listen to the radio coverage from the States
www.thegamelive.com in the past the top link has been reliable.
There is also now a live streaming option for UK based fans with broadband
via
http://sports.yahoo.com/nflgamepass but this service has not been
totally reliable so please check out the chat room first for further
information.
Matt Cheesman 19/10/06
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