What are the keys to a hawk victory?

[The POPE]

Offense, I'm going to state the obvious---Hawks must have some success running the ball. It has been stated a million times that Billy will have had 2 weeks to prepare and will scheme to take away the run game. The Hawks must stick with the run game, even if not successful early. The read option must be used early in the game to keep the defense honest, this will make the DE or OLB stay home ad not be able to crash the back side.
The recievers must catch the ball. The less obvious players (Lockett, Luke Willson, etc.) will need to step up. I think Willson may be key if the Pats stack the LOS to take away the run. This means he will be one on one with a safety/linebacker or be able to find holes in the zone. This is a matchup that must be won. He scares me because he is inconsistent, but I wouldn't mind seeing him bring home the MVP, similar to Smith last year. (I would have preferred that went to Bam Bam) but Smith did make big plays at the right times.

That's just a few thoughts on offense---interested to see what everbody else thinks.


Defense---

Just do what you do. I think they may use some aspects of the gameplan from last years Super Bowl. Denver loved the dink and dunk with YAC. We must limit the YAC. All the talking heads keep going back to the KC and San Diego games and those teams ability to dink and dunk. That was primarily set up because both those teams were able to run the ball enough to keep the Seattle D honest. I'm not sure that the Pats can do that. Billy will take whatever works. Couldn't run the ball against the Ravens, so he went to trick formations and plays. Indy showed no will to play Run defense so he ran it down their throats. The Hawks are as good or better with run D as the Ravens, and the secondary does not compare. The Ravens used primarily man to coverage against the Pats and gave up a lot of YAC. The Pats trick formations confused the Ravens because they were playing man coverage. The Hawks will sit back play zone and take whoever comes into their zone. Since an non eligible reciever can't go downfield the don't need to worry about that reciever in zone coverage.

Gronk, must play him physical. I don't think the Hawks will do anything special with him. In most instances he will be covered by wright or chancellor. If the Pats have success with him early, the the adjustments will come, most likely with chancellor covering him. Chancellor got burned by Gates in SD. He was not healthy at the time, but now he is. Can't wait to see him and Gronk meet for the 1st time. Gronk better tighten that chin strap, because this isn't some mediocre AFC east defense he will meet in a couple of days.

And the obvious is--must apply pressure to Brady. Just like they did to Manning last year. The Giants proved twice that making Brady move makes Brady Mortal.

[kalibane]

I could go into a long analysis but I think this game will essentially come down to two things.

1. Pressure on Brady. They don't have to do what they did to Aaron Rodgers in the Fail Mary game. But they can't let him have a clean pocket all day. He has to be bothered and it's a well known fact even if you don't hit him Brady gets unnerved by guys around his legs. IMO the Seahawks biggest defensive loss down the stretch was shockingly Jordan Hill. The push he was getting in the middle in the 2nd half of the season was a giant benefit to this team and it's sorely missed.

2. One of our WRs (or Luke Willson) has to win one on one matchups on the outside. If they can't get free the Patriots can stack the box and play contain which will make it very difficult on the Offense considering the suspect pass blocking up front.

These are my only concerns. If the Seahawks can deal with these two things I'm completely confident that it's a Seahawks win.

[politicalfootball]

Run Marshaun and be stout on defense. Turnovers too I forsee a hard rush and some resulting ints.

[burrrton]

Pressure on Brady ++.

That happens and I think the game is in the bag.

[RiverDog]

Offensively, we need to get some yards running the ball. We do not have an offense that can score points by throwing the ball 40+ times a game, and just for you, Futureite, it isn't because Russell Wilson can't play that type of a game. It's because we do not have a great OL and we do not have a true #1 receiver.

Defensively, we need to get pressure rushing 4, like we did vs. the Broncos in XLVIII. That's my biggest concern, because the Pats have done a great job of protecting Brady.

It should be a great game. IMO if we can keep the game close in the first half, we'll win it in the second half.

[Hawktawk]

Key is just win. Seattle has done a lot of it. I agree with the loss of Hill being huge, and I see our interior D line rotations as being a big key to having a lob type dominant performance. If they can hold up against the run Brady is going to have a long day. I'm looking forward to Chancellor hitting Gronk. I'm honestly not sure what will happen it might knock both of them silly.
Beast is so POd right now I just hope he can calm down for the game. He got held down last SB and I think hes ready for beast mode 49.0. But one thing I hear, even from our fans is we cant score 40 points to win a game. I'm confused because I have a commemorative ball that says Seahawks 43 Broncos 8. In late 2012 they put up 50 points back to back. A month ago in Glendale they put up mid 30's against a better defense and Hauschka missed 3 FGs. These Hawks can win any type of game they need to.

[burrrton]

the Pats have done a great job of protecting Brady.

This is an understatement- that fcker can stand there like the proverbial "statue", so much so that I think I've posted in here during MNF games (and such) about it.

He moves around well in the pocket, so I think that's part of it, but honestly, that guy gets as good pass protection as I remember ever seeing.

And he knows how to take advantage of that.

[HumanCockroach]

Really only five words. Hit Brady, hit him again.

[Zorn76]

Essentially, it's RW and Beast.

Posted elsewhere that they are the biggest keys for me. Both have to have Huge days running for increasing our odds to win.

Putting consistent pressure on Brady is going to be difficult, and few teams have had much success doing it. If we pull it off, great, but I think we do stand a better chance of running the ball right at them.

Our WR's vs their DB's is going to be interesting. Revis has had a good season, is more than capable of covering any receiver we have, yet our guys still find a way to get open at crucial moments. We all know about Browner, and we can exploit his coverage skills.

The x-factor is Lockette. He has wheels, and if he gets involved enough early, I think it really helps open everything else up. I also hope he does KR duties for the SB.

[Distant Relative]

Julian Edelman. Brady's blankey.

[c_hawkbob]

The real keys, one each.

Offense, Run the damn ball and be persistant about it. Wear 'em out physically, and late in the game the read option will kill 'em, they won't have the legs left, Russ and Beast will.

Defense, harass Brady and Jam Gronk at the line. The rest of their receivers pose no threat to our secondary and if Brady doesn't have Gronk to bail him out in short order he's toast.

[HumanCockroach]

Oops, I need to stay with "traditional" thoughts..... Punch em' in the face, punch em' in the face, punch em' in the face..... Win

[RiverDog]

Oops, I need to stay with "traditional" thoughts..... Punch em' in the face, punch em' in the face, punch em' in the face..... Win

If you want to express that thought in contemporary terms, you need to say smash mouth football.

[savvyman]

Play #1 Fed the Beast

Play #2 Feed the Beast

Play # 4 Feed the Beast

Play #6 Feed the Beast

You Feeling me Bevell?

[Agent 86]

The one guy I am a little worried about might be Shane Vereen in the passing game. When healthy, he has been very good. Great set of hands, and could get a favourable matchup when they spread him out. They will definitely be looking to get him the ball on quick passes and letting him run with it.

The one simple key for me is something the Seahawks have been so good at it, that I almost take it for granted.....tackling. Preventing yards after the catch by tackling well will go a long way towards a victory.

[obiken]

DT's. IF we had our two starting DT's we would still be in trouble, we don't and we are.

[mykc14]

DT's. IF we had our two starting DT's we would still be in trouble, we don't and we are.

We are only missing one 'starting' DT, but I assume you are talking about Hill as the other missing DT. Any IR'd player is going to make it difficult and we have 2 positions that have suffered major losses (DT and WR). The backups in those positions are going to have to play well, but I don't think that causes us to be 'in trouble.' We present matchup problems in other positions that will give the Pats trouble. I know you are on record as saying we have 'no chance' against the Pats, but I will respectfully disagree. The Pats are a very good team, probably the second best in football, thankfully we are probably the best team in football. Could the second best team beat the best team, of course, but my $ would be on the Hawks.

[Uppercut]

Biggest key on O is Bevell not calling plays with his head in the sand. Star playing like we are behind and keep up the pressure. I sure hope the first series is not, run, run, bubble screen, punt. ( I still think someone will get a pic 6 off our bubble screen)

The D will take care of the rest as long as the O is moving.

[jshawaii22]

Key #1: I hope Sherman's GF keeps the bun in the oven until at least real late Sunday night.

[monkey]

I could go into a long analysis but I think this game will essentially come down to two things.

1. Pressure on Brady. They don't have to do what they did to Aaron Rodgers in the Fail Mary game. But they can't let him have a clean pocket all day. He has to be bothered and it's a well known fact even if you don't hit him Brady gets unnerved by guys around his legs. IMO the Seahawks biggest defensive loss down the stretch was shockingly Jordan Hill. The push he was getting in the middle in the 2nd half of the season was a giant benefit to this team and it's sorely missed.

2. One of our WRs (or Luke Willson) has to win one on one matchups on the outside. If they can't get free the Patriots can stack the box and play contain which will make it very difficult on the Offense considering the suspect pass blocking up front.

These are my only concerns. If the Seahawks can deal with these two things I'm completely confident that it's a Seahawks win.

Good list, I would be more worried about those two things myself except for two things.
First, the Patriots run defense...it's not worrying me even a little bit. Not one little bit. We WILL be able to run on them.
Second, the Patriots defense is actually pretty lousy against TE's this year. I see a good chance for any or all three TE's, Willson, Helfet and Moeaki, having big games.
I'd be willing to bank on Willson doing something big.
Also, remember who one of those two cornerbacks is...Brandon Browner. Yeah I like the guy, but let's be real here and admit that, he gets beat sometimes, and beat by speed more often than we liked when he was a Seahawks player. He also still incurrs a bunch of penalties, that hasn't changed at all.

[monkey]

Personally I see two ways the Patriots could possibly beat us, and it's the same things I say pretty much every week.

1. IF the Pats can establish a run game, if they can get a run game going, then they can beat us.
If not...they're screwed.

2. IF the Pats special teams can cause turnover(s) or score, or even just give them really good field position multiple times, then there's a chance. With 16 players or whatever it is now, on the IR, the Seahawks depth is much thinner than it was last year, and because the depth is thinner, the special teams are weaker. Plus, since Richardson is out, we still have a fairly big question mark at kick return.

In the end though, I just don't think the Pats will be able to stop us running for four quarters. They are not a good run stopping team, and I don't really care how smart Bellicheck is, or what he tries to do to scheme away our run game, he isn't out on the field making the tackles, and all the schemes in the world fail when you get beat up and tired trying to tackle Beast Mode all day, while also trying to contain Wilson.
I think our tight ends will also factor into this game in a very big way. I look for Willson to be the offensive X factor.

Brady plays good against tough defenses, so I'm not expecting a blowout like last year, but I do expect that ultimately, by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, everyone will pretty much know it's all over but the crying, due to our run game, even though the score may be fairly close yet.

[kalibane]

If we had Richardson healthy I'm fully on board with that because guys like that torch Browner. I'm just not 100% sold on Lockette getting off the jam and although Kearse can get deep I'm not sold that he has the raw speed and shiftiness to really expose Browner.

I agree that I think Willson is the guy we could see have opportunities to make plays. I'm more and more confident that the Seahawks win but I was just voicing my concerns.

Last year going into the game I would have been shocked if the Broncos had beaten the Hawks (assuming the offense didn't beat themselves like they nearly did against GB). I just didn't see a matchup that Denver was going to win. This year is a little different in that I have a clear picture of how the Patriots can beat us even if I don't think they will.

Ironically I don't see the Patriots running the ball at least I don't see it as enough of a threat to warrant mentioning it as a key factor. Lacy's game was overblown and he's much more talented than Blount. He's a straight line plodder that will be neutralized by Seattle's speed. If he has a good game it's because the DLine is worn down and is getting blown off the ball and in that case we'd be screwed regardless of the game plan or who we were facing.

[monkey]

I'm more and more confident that the Seahawks win but I was just voicing my concerns.

Oh hey, don't take what I said as a criticism, it was not. Like I said, good list!
I'm just pretty convinced we'll be able to deal with those two things, though if we don't...I don't like to think about that.

I think the other OBVIOUS key is pass pressure from just four down linemen. I'd like to see Avril and Bennett side by side like they were last years Superbowl getting after Brady. I'd also really like to see if they can handle Irvin's speed rushing. I think we have what it takes to get pressure on Brady, we'll just have to withstand the dink and dunk stuff he'll do, keep them out of the end zone and settling for field goals and I think the pass rush will get there enough.