I guarentee a Seattle victory in the Windy City of Chicago. Why? Good question.
Matt Hasselbeck. This balding vet has recorded nearly 1600 yards, while throwing it in 8 times, only turning it over 5 times. He even showed his slight mobility, with 112 yards rushing and a touchdown, all in 6 post season games. Those rushing numbers almost match up to Edgerin James' stats from this year in the desert. Anyways, although this quarterback's post-season numbers sound merely average, compare those to his counterpart's. "Sexy Rexy" ain't so sexy in the post-season. In his ONE game, at home, vs Carolina last year, the kid threw 192 yards on 17 attempts, reaching a 46% completion percentage. He only threw the ball into the endzone once, yet threw a pick as well. (17/41, 192 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). Now, you can give me the case that Rex is "new and improved", but he didn't prove he can play in the cold the other week. Against GREEN BAY DEFENSE, he threw 12 passes, and 3 of them were picked off. He completed 2 passes, and the only impressive stat of his Sunday night was his yards per completion, at 17 yards. Although his season numbers from this year aren't bad, keep in mind he plays in the NFC. His division consists of Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit (all awful against the pass). My grandma could make the Probowl if she were a QB in the NFC North. Come on Sexy Rexy, you even threw 3 INT's vs the harsh Minnesota pass D! I give the egde to the vet, Matty Hasselbeck.
Shaun Alexander is merely average as well. Although John Madden struck this unlucky vet with a curse this year, his post-season numbers won't change. In his post season career, he's ran for 390 yards, and scored 5 times. Average? Yes, these are merely AVERAGE numbers, but let's compare him to HIS counterpart of Thomas Jones in the post-season. Against an average Carolina run stop, last year Thomas ran the ball 20 times for 80 yards, and recieved 30 yards as well in his only playoff expierence. That AVERAGE game, with no scores, isn't enough to compete with Alexander's career post season stats.
Deion Branch. In post season, the stud has recorded 677 yards and two touchdowns, Including a rushing touchdown. Does Superbowl MVP ring a bell? This reciever was awarded Superbowl MVP as a Patriot, and I'm sure his postseason numbers won't stop this week in Chicago. Who's Chicago's go to guy? Moooooshin Muhammad? Mark Bradley? Berrian? Well, Muhammad's post season stats are the only ones impressive. He has recorded 410 yards, with two touchdowns in 5 games. All right, but he's turning 34 years old in a few months, and Branch was the Superbowl MVP. Who do I give the notch to? I don't know, you decide.
Robbie Gould, the best young kicker, and Josh Brown, possibly the best vet and most clutch kicker (other than Vinatieri) cancel each other out in a great kicking game. (Look for Chicago offense to stall in redzone for many FG's)
Defense is Chicago's business. Urlacher and Briggs will stop Alexander up front, and Vasher, Tillman, Manning, and Manning Jr. will just match up to the speedy WR's of Seattle (Branch, Jackson, Engram, Burleson) On the Seattle D, Tatupu and Julian Petersen will DEMOLISH Thomas Jones, yet the average Berrian and Muhammad have the edge over the Seattle backs such as Babineaux, Boulware, and Trufant.
All in all, the Seahawks have a MUCH better match up in this game.
Think I'm a Seahawks fan? Think again. I'm a heart broken, Jets fan, just with strong opinions =)
