Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins NFL Playoff’s

Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Washington Redskins (10-6) +3 OvUn 46 4:30 EST

NFL Playoff’s NFC Wild Card, January, 6th 2013

In a battle of two teams that seem to be peaking as they head towards the postseason, the Seattle Seahawks go to Washington in this NFC Wild Card battle that features two of the games most exciting rookie quarterbacks.

The Seahawks have been the most impressive team in the latter third of the season. Rattling off 40 plus point games in three out of their last four games, Seattle heads into the post season full steam ahead.

Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson is a paramount reason for this success. His ability to make plays with his feet and strong arm have made him one of the best quarterbacks this season. Still just a rookie, Wilson has compiled over 3,100 passing to go with a 64.1 completion percentage. He has thrown for 26 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. The explosive young QB has also rushed for 489 yards and four touchdowns.

More impressively, Wilson has thrown 16 touchdowns to go with just two interceptions in Seattle’s 7-1 run to reach the postseason.

The reliable Marshawn Lynch has helped take the pressure off Wilson, as well. He was third in the NFL in rushing this season, running for 1,452 yards and eleven touchdowns.

Seattle’s defense is another clog in a system that has worked out wonderfully for head coach Pete Carroll. The fourth ranked defense in the NFL has played exceptionally well as of late, limiting opponents to 17 points or less in five straight games.

The Redskins have a game up on Seattle in overall record, but since they won the NFC East with a win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night, they will host Seattle on Sunday.

Like Seattle, the Redskins have been riding the shoulders of a rookie signal caller into the playoffs. Robert Griffin III has impressed this year, boasting the highest passer rating ever by a rookie at 102.4. Fellow rookie and Washington running back, Alfred Morris, has also contributed heavily to the success of the Skins. He is second in the NFL in yards and rushed for a career high 200 plus yards against the Cowboys to clinch a playoff spot.

These teams are quite similar offensively, but Washington’s Achilles heel is their defense. They are ranked fourth to last in total defense, and though they have performed well lately, Seattle’s explosive offense could give them plenty of trouble.

Left guard Kory Lichtenstieger expects to play Sunday despite leaving the game late with an ankle injury in Sunday’s win over Dallas.

The Line

The game opened at Washington +1 and has moved to +3 due to heavy Seattle betting. A playoff home dog is normally hard to come by, so we do not see this moving past -3 for any reason. The total has moved from the opening number of 45 to 46.

The Play

Seattle has lost eight straight playoff games on the road, but we’re betting they buck this trend on Sunday. This team is simply too talented right now to be taken lightly. RG3 is not 100%, and the Redskins defense has been shredded all year long by much lesser offenses.

Any playoff home dog is hard to resist, but the media have barely talked about Seattle’s dominant defense. This is not a Cowboys defense that continues to rush the passer as they are getting dominated between the tackles against the run. The Seahawks defense is among the NFL’s elite, they have the personnel and the game plan to handle RG3 and the Redskins. They have only allowed more than 24 points in a game once this entire season.

Seattle dismantled the San Francisco 49ers several weeks ago 42-13, in a game that was not even close. We do not need to over think this one, we love Seattle on the road.

Seahawks -3 is our bet with Bovada.lv