With the exception of the Patriots, no team has had as much post-season success during this decade as the Seahawks. There was a time where Seattle's success seemed to be securely rooted in its defensive prowess with a historically outrageous amount of talent suffocating even historically great offenses such as that of the 2013 Denver Broncos. The legendary Legion of Boom is, however, now a thing of the past with nearly all of its members retired or on different teams. It is because of this Pete Carroll should be revered for his ability to overcome the loss of some of the biggest names in the game and find away to redefine the identity of his team, overcome a poor start to the season, and ultimately earn a playoff berth.
The Dallas Cowboys had to overcome a similarly poor start to their own season to find their way to a division championship and a home playoff game. Their offense finished ranked a disappointing 22nd in the league in both yards and points per game, but Dallas' defense finished the season ranked an impressive 7th. Dallas' offensive ranking, however, is at least somewhat misleading as their ability to move the football changed drastically following a trade for Amari Cooper. It wasn't necessarily an increase in the Cowboys' average points per game, because that was itself a misleading statistic prior to the arrival of Cooper as the Cowboys produced big time against poor opponents during their few early victories, but they produced little against almost anyone else. Instead one could look to the quality of opponent the Cowboys were finding a way to beat. With better offensive production, their offense sustained drives and kept their defense fresher. The Cowboys held the electric Saints offense to a shocking 10 points, and the Cowboys offense give them enough support to sweep the playoff-bound Eagles, and put up major points in always-tough divisional matchups against the Redskins and Giants.
The Seahawks experienced their own offensive upswing, but they did so seemingly on the sheer will of Russell Wilson who I contend might actually be the most valuable quarterback in the NFL at this point regardless of impressive performances by the likes of Brees, Brady, and Rodgers on any given year. After narrow losses to the powerhouse Chargers and Rams, the Seahawks went on 5-1 run to finish their season in which they averaged an outrageous 34.83 points. The Seahawks even put up a monster 38 points on the Chiefs in a game wherein Wilson out-dueled the sensational Patrick Mahomes.
Now the Seahawks and Cowboys did meet earlier this season, but the Cowboys were still without Amari Cooper and had not yet found their groove. That game was also on the road in Seattle, and few football fans are unaware of exactly what a difficult road environment it typically is. The Seahawks will not have the advantage of a thunderous crowd behind them, and they won't have any remnants of the legion of boom to help shut down a revived Dallas offense. What will the Seahawks have? They will have Russell Wilson, his underrated receivers, and the league's top rushing attack (the Ravens are ranked 2nd). They will have an offense that has found a way to score on even the elite defense of the Vikings while putting up major points on lesser teams such as the 49ers.
The Cowboys will come to this fight with their guns loaded and shouldn't themselves be underestimated. The Cowboys only lost a single game at home this season. Their road record is significantly worse, and that may come into play should they move on to the next round, but tonight is the game is in Arlington. Dak Prescott isn't remotely as talented as Russell Wilson, but he has an impressive running back to help take pressure off of him and just enough receiving weapons to whom he can distribute the ball. Add to that a defense that has stifled some impressive offenses this year and you officially have a more balanced team that the Seattle Seahawks.
On paper one could point to a better defense, home-field advantage, and an offense that can grind down the clock to take away offensive opportunities for the opposing team as reasons to pick the Dallas Cowboys. I'm hesitant commit to that seemingly safe assessment because of just how incredibly experienced and intelligent the Seahawks have been in the playoffs during this decade. As highly ranked as the Cowboys defense finished this season, it never totally shut down even lesser opponents down the stretch. Decisions, decisions. In the end I think I have to go with the better coaching staff, better quarterback, and the offense that finds a way to put up points on essentially anyone.
PREDICTION:
SEAHAWKS 30-24
STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW'S PREDICTIONS!
AS ALWAYS
GO RAVENS!!
No comments:
Post a Comment