Hawks vs Lions - Saturday 5:20 pm

[savvyman]

Love the Saturday Playoff games.


http://heavy.com/sports/2017/01/seahawks-vs-lions-date-time-tv-channel-nfl-playoffs-wild-card-schedule-when-where-to-watch/

[Hawktawk]

predictions? game planning suggestions?

[HumanCockroach]

Run the ball early, often and with success ( maybe that means heavy sets, with Collins (ack can't believe I'm saying that) or two TEs with a FB in the formation for a change. Something Bevell refuses to do). Ultimately, the Lions defense is a sieve, IF you make them play you honest ( just like GB and Atlanta). Seattle issue has been refusing to attack defenses weaknesses, and stubbornly sticking with the pass game even when a defense is horrible against the run ( SF is merely the latest example, but far from the only one).

I honestly feel like Bevell and the staff try to "prove" they will succeed against the other teams strength and get back to the weakness more often than not. No reason to not see a weakness and exploit it, which this season hasn't occurred with any regularity. IE short passing game heavy against NO despite no pass rush, and poor rush defense, refusal to pick on the right side of GBs defensive backfield, pounding the run against the Rams or long, slow developing plays, refusal to test the Bucs secondary, etc. Eventually they seem to adjust ( usually in the fourth quarter) but it's exceedingly confusing to me why the refuse to attack those chinks in the armor until then. Everyone else seems to see it, but not Seattle leading into games.

Detroit's defense can be completely dismantled, but you have to make them believe you're dedicated to running the ball all four quarters.

Also, send a flipping blitz from time to time, Stafford ( like Rodgers, Brady etc) doesn't like to move. Hit him, help him up, and hit him again, all game long.

[RiverDog]

The Lions have a horrible pass rush, ranking second to last in the league, so there's no excuse for this vastly improved offensive line of ours to give Russell plenty of time. I would expect our offense to have a pretty fair day.

BTW, is there still a dome team jinx in place for dome teams that play outside during the playoffs? It seems to me that the Saints, Colts, and Texans had some pretty poor performances on the road in the playoffs.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I hope you are right, River, but you saw where Tampa Bay, who hasn't had a dominating pass rush, came to play and abused the O-line. They might struggle on the road outdoors, but their passing game worries me without ET. The Seahawks need some serious pass rush to get going.

I saw yesterday afternoon where Tony McDaniel sat out practice with a concussion. Fingers crossed he is able to suit up or the Lions might find a little bit more of a run game than they usually do.

[obiken]

Run the ball early, often and with success

Really Human? Run the ball early. I think we need to just forget the run, the run with this team is a complete waste of time. Rawls 56 yards on 37 carries. Remember we don't have a real OL to run on any good team.

[obiken]

I think we win this game IF I professional gambler I would certainly take the 8 points. I think we are looking at something like 21-17 or 28-24. We win cause we are at home, we win cause Stafford has a broken finger on his throwing hand.

After that no. Its Dallas to the SB. With Elliot and their OL, there is 0 chance you can expose a Rookie QB at home. too many other teams have too many holes. IF their is an upset to be had its Us going into Atlanta and winning. In AFC Pats all the way. NO way anyone can go in and beat them in Bradyland, once Carr went down their fortune was sealed. Pats win the SB.

[HumanCockroach]

Yes, really. To run effectively, they'll need to run it more than once every fifth or sixth play, and as far as I'm concerned, they can leave the tone setter at the V Mac. He of the 1.5 YPC clearly doesn't have it this year. As given examples of 3 running backs behind the same line producing between 3.5 and 4.5 yards a carry. It isn't rocket science to figure out Rawls ISN'T the best back on the team, and hasn't been all season. Hate to burst people's bubbles, but it is simply the truth.

[obiken]

Yes, really. To run effectively, they'll need to run it more than once every fifth or sixth play, and as far as I'm concerned, they can leave the tone setter at the V Mac. He of the 1.5 YPC clearly doesn't have it this year. As given examples of 3 running backs behind the same line producing between 3.5 and 4.5 yards a carry. It isn't rocket science to figure out Rawls ISN'T the best back on the team, and hasn't been all season. Hate to burst people's bubbles, but it is simply the truth.

I agree with you! The problem is if he isn't the back we do not have one!

[HumanCockroach]

A month and a half ago we had three outperforming him, now we have one, guess it's time to see if that one can carry the load.

[RiverDog]

I think we need to just forget the run, the run with this team is a complete waste of time.

It certainly has sucked for most of the season. But it's not a waste of time. There's two good reasons why we have to at least try to run the ball:

1. You don't know until you try. If the Thomas Rawls of the Carolina game shows up, it could be the difference maker.

2. Even if we are not gaining a lot of yardage, it keeps the defense somewhat honest.

[NorthHawk]

You still have to show you are willing to run.
Maybe it will be a drip, drip, gush thing.
One good run and the Defense will change its attitude and focus.

[Hawktawk]

I agree with HC we have to make a commitment to the run. If Rawls can't do it right now start Collins . Front 7 needs to hunt. No turnovers and no huge mistakes on the back end on d.

Tate is a concern to me. He's exactly the type of quick tough receiver Seattle has struggled with when the lob was 100%.
I hate the Hawks 9 game win streak and Detroits 8 game losing streak . The longer a streak continues the greater possibility it will be broken.
All that said the Hawks b game should be enough at home in the cold and snow.

[HumanCockroach]

Really Human? Run the ball early. I think we need to just forget the run, the run with this team is a complete waste of time. Rawls 56 yards on 37 carries. Remember we don't have a real OL to run on any good team

You were saying?

[c_hawkbob]

Russell Wilson has now won more playoff games in 5 years than the Lions have in 87 years.

[HumanCockroach]

And THAT is Seattle's offense. The players know it, most of the fans know it, I honestly don't understand why Bevell refuses to acknowledge it, or why Carroll doesn't hammer it into him.

The most interesting stat thrown up in a long time occurred during this game. It involved the fact that it isn't that Seattle CAN'T run the ball, but that they have REFUSED to.

Seattle's offense functions best when there is BALANCE. Always has under Carroll, and always will. That goes for run to pass ratios, as well as targets to specific players in the passing game. It isn't a coincidence that spreading the ball around leads to more yards, scores and success.

[obiken]

Really Human? Run the ball early. I think we need to just forget the run, the run with this team is a complete waste of time. Rawls 56 yards on 37 carries. Remember we don't have a real OL to run on any good team.

You da man Human, what can I say!!!

[Hawktawk]

Rumors of Rawls demise were greatly exaggerated . Some of carrolls post game comments about not running more I previous games seemed like a shot at bevfool which is fine. I'd take Jim Bob cooter over him any day.

[RiverDog]

Rumors of Rawls demise were greatly exaggerated . Some of carrolls post game comments about not running more I previous games seemed like a shot at bevfool which is fine. I'd take Jim Bob cooter over him any day.

He needs to be more consistent. Every time I think he's back in the groove he lays an egg the next week.

[RiverDog]

Russell Wilson has now won more playoff games in 5 years than the Lions have in 87 years.

Although it's an interesting tidbit that shows just how futile the Lions efforts have been over the decades, you're comparing apples to oranges by going back 87 years. Up until 1967 there was just one post season game each season. After the merger, that number shot up to 3 and eventually 4 possible post season games each season. Additionally, from post war until 1967, there were 12-14 teams competing for the two post season spots while now there are 32 teams competing for 12 spots, meaning that today, each team as a 38% chance of making the playoffs while back then it was just 17%.

But I always like those kinds of observations as it demonstrates how much the game has changed.

[c_hawkbob]

Just a contrast of Lions fan's futility with how fortunate we as Seahawks fans are. I wasn't comparing any kind of fruit to any other kind of fruit.

That the NFL is a better product now than it was then has nothing to with how long it has sucked to be a Lions fan or how fortunate we have it now.

[Hawk Sista]

Great point, Bob. If the season ends in Atlanta, the year would have been considered a significant success for most seasons since 1976. We have been treated to a very fun time. Thank you, Paul & Co.

[RiverDog]

Just a contrast of Lions fan's futility with how fortunate we as Seahawks fans are. I wasn't comparing any kind of fruit to any other kind of fruit.

That the NFL is a better product now than it was then has nothing to with how long it has sucked to be a Lions fan or how fortunate we have it now.

Agreed on both parts. I just thought it was important to note the distinction between the pre merger post season and post merger. They are apples and oranges.

So now that the Cubs have finally won a World Series, which franchise of the 3 major sports has the dubious distinction of being the longest suffering? The Lions have to be right up there, at least in the top 3.