HawKnPeppa":3ky3rskf said:
pehawk":3ky3rskf said:
AbsolutNET":3ky3rskf said:
But don't you think they probably are the biggest threat? Despite their schedule, they're mopping up and are on fire right now. If they weren't a strong team, they wouldn't be blowing their opponents out and scoring over 30pts a game. They're a good team, imo
Yup. Not only that, they're a tough matchup for Seattle. Hawks don't get sacks they get pressure. That means savvy pocket awareness QB's can exploit the Hawks.
But hey, I was laughed at for pointing this out before they played the Cowboys originally. What do I know?
Amazing how quickly people forget how thoroughly the Hawks were dominated at the LOS on both sides of the ball in that the last game against Dallas.
We've been humiliating rookie and backup QBs behind average OLs for the past 6 games. Facing a seasoned vet with 5-6 seconds to throw every drop back is a totally different story, especially when he's throwing to Dez Bryant and Whitten. He doesn't become the fumbling/bumbling Romo in a consitently clean pocket.
Let's also ingnore how they dominated us on the ground. A great run-blocking OL combined with an outstanding RB who patiently waits for his blockers.
Yeah, you're right they are at the bottom if our list of threats. [emoji90]
This just SO nails the challenge the 'Hawks face.
And yes, our defense absolutely FEASTED on all the backup QB's we faced over the 6-0 run. AZ twice, Philly, Rams. The only starting QB we faced in that stretch was Niners and Kaepernick twice.
The 2014 Cowboys actually have a lot in common with the 2005 Seahawks. An overpowering offense and O-Line, a great NFL-MVP-level running back, a smart QB playing at a high level who excels at making plays when given time, and an *average* defense that consistently *outperforms* its perceived level of physical talent, the "Lofa Tatupu" of defenses.
In fact, the 2014 Cowboys have several edges over the 2005 Seahawks, for example, Dez Bryant > Darrell Jackson as #1 receiver. East Coast mediots somehow thought the 2005 Seahawks were a "finesse" team, despite the smash-mouth running game. At least they're not calling a very similar Cowboys team a "finesse" team this year.
In a lot of years, the 2014 Cowboys team wins the Super Bowl, like the 05 'Hawks should have*. Not this year. The Seahawks beat the Cowboys in the NFCCG, if that happens, but it will be a good game. Here's why the 'Hawks win:
1) A better game plan for exploiting the Cowboys defense than the lame, pathetic, gimmicky offense we had in the first game. We keep the Cowboys offense off the field longer and allow our defense to rest, instead of getting worn down all game.
2) A much better, healthier run defense than the Cowboys saw in the first game. BWags, Kam--key to the Seattle run defensive effort.
3) A much better pass rush than the Cowboys faced in the first game. Quinn has figured out how to generate pass rush over the course of the season, using blitzes, stunts, and improving the players.
4) Russell Wilson. The magic he brings, the way he wills his team to win. The things he does at crunch time when the game is on the line.
5) Our maturing, improving Seattle WR corps. Way better than what Dallas saw in the first game.
6) Dallas defensive depth and injuries. Without Henry Melton, with other guys nicked up, their overperforming defense won't be able to overperform when, not if, their D loses another player or two over the next 2 games. It will be like us losing Chris Clemons in 2012 before the Falcons game when we desperately needed a pass rush and he was all we had. It will be like Marquand Manuel going down in the 2nd quarter of SBXL with nobody real to replace him, man-off-the-street time.
7) Overall Seattle health, freshness, and depth as a result of the bye week. We should get guys like Max Unger, Tony Moeaki, and others back and able to perform. Seattle will be about +2 to +3 on healthy starters and quality rotation players relative to Dallas.
8 ) Special Teams and turnovers edge. Seattle is likely to be +7 or more points on Special Teams and/or Turnovers/Points Off in this game. If we're not, it will be a very close game indeed.
9) A historically good Seattle defense, healthy and playing at its peak at the right time.
My overall prediction for such an NFCCG matchup is 31-17 Seahawks. As I said, the 2014 Cowboys look like a good enough team that in some years they could win the Super Bowl. Just not this year with the 2014 Seahawks in the way. Assuming GB vs Dallas comes to pass in Divisional round, I do expect Dallas to go into Green Bay and win a close and exciting game. If the Cowboys lose, it will be due to Aaron Rodgers late-game heroics.
(*I blame team tissue paper depth/FO issues more than the refs. But let's try not to digress here.)