Seattle Your gameplan.

[ihatedallas]

What do you think of the Hawks? What do you think we have to do on both sides of the ball?

Offense -

Run the ball consistently and effectively. Portis has to get at least 70/80 yards rushing if we are going to win tomorrow. They ae heavy on the pass rush, so running draws and screens will mean Portis could get large chunks early and often.

Cooley, Cooley, Cooley. He can beat those backers and safeties in coverage, and get yards after the catch because Seattle has tackling issues.

No mistakes. Collins need to continue to make those passes that keep the chains moving. We need to have long consistent drives, tire out the defense like we have the last three weeks.

Defense-

Blitzes need to get there. Rattle Hassleback and don't let him hit that receiving corps.

Make them one dimensional, We stopped the running game vs Giants so Eli had to throw the ball 52 times.

Good play by the secondary depth. there will be plety of nickel and Dime packages, they need to step up.


Overall - Run the ball and eat the clock. is into what we've been doing anyway.


What do you guys think?

[Redskinmayhem]

What do you think of the Hawks? What do you think we have to do on both sides of the ball?

Offense -

Run the ball consistently and effectively. Portis has to get at least 70/80 yards rushing if we are going to win tomorrow. They ae heavy on the pass rush, so running draws and screens will mean Portis could get large chunks early and often.

Cooley, Cooley, Cooley. He can beat those backers and safeties in coverage, and get yards after the catch because Seattle has tackling issues.

No mistakes. Collins need to continue to make those passes that keep the chains moving. We need to have long consistent drives, tire out the defense like we have the last three weeks.

Defense-

Blitzes need to get there. Rattle Hassleback and don't let him hit that receiving corps.

Make them one dimensional, We stopped the running game vs Giants so Eli had to throw the ball 52 times.

Good play by the secondary depth. there will be plety of nickel and Dime packages, they need to step up.


Overall - Run the ball and eat the clock. is into what we've been doing anyway.


What do you guys think?
I agree but I'd like to add that we need to take our downfield shots as well. Big plays early are important for taking out the crowd.

[ChapelHillMatt]

Do whatever you've been doing the last 4 weeks, don't change a thing.

[guess88]

I love the balanced playcalling of the offense right now, so I'd keep it the same. A good mix of run, deep pass, and quick outs to the rb (which is like running the ball anyway). Keep the D on their toes, and use the quick outs and runs to offset the Kearney & Co pass rush. Gotta keep our eyes on Kearney, Tatupu, Peterson, and Trufant.

Despite their weak schedule, Hassellback is having a career year, and has many dangerous wr's give the ball to, which could equal a lot of big plays as well. Long sustaining drives like we've been doing the past few games will be key. Keep the ball out of their hands.

Defensively, I think we'll see more zone this week. Ideally our D will play the way they did against the Packers and Lions (both pass oriented teams), but our personnel has changed as well. I'm not sure if we have the current staff to constantly go man against their 4 receivers, so blitz's and dline pressure will be critical. Hopefully, GW keeps his great playcalling going, and doesn't get cover2 happy.

BTW - any seahawk fan who watched the Hawaii vs UGA game last night should be dead scared about Sat.

[akhhorus]

BTW - any seahawk fan who watched the Hawaii vs UGA game last night should be dead scared about Sat.

Okay, I'll bite: why? Georgia was the favorite.


And for me:

Offense: Don't try to outrun their Lbs. Bulk up the offense and pound them until they creep their Safeties up, then PA. Their Lbs are too fast for us to continue to use Portis in the speed runs/passes right now--barring bad weather. Get ARE involved early and often.

Defense: Sell out to stop the pass. Cover-1 and bring the blitz on Hass along with jamming their WRs. If Alexander beats us, fine. But they haven't shown much trust in him.

[Dept_of_Defense]

Okay, I'll bite: why? Georgia was the favorite.


And for me:

Offense: Don't try to outrun their Lbs. Bulk up the offense and pound them until they creep their Safeties up, then PA. Their Lbs are too fast for us to continue to use Portis in the speed runs/passes right now--barring bad weather. Get ARE involved early and often.

Defense: Sell out to stop the pass. Cover-1 and bring the blitz on Hass along with jamming their WRs. If Alexander beats us, fine. But they haven't shown much trust in him.

Ditto. We need to wear down their D-Line so that we can drop back and get behind their safeties. Our defense needs to keep tackling well and I think we're going to see a lot of nickel packages to sustain their passing game.

[Skins3]

I think it is as simple as win the turnover battle

need big games from Heyer and Samuals

I think this is the only roadblock for us. I see this as the hardest game of all the remainder possible playoff games minus the super bowl

[hail2skins]

I'm in the same boat with Akh on the offensive side of the ball. I would pound Portis and Betts at them. Make them prove they can stop the run. I don't agree with Akh in not running wide. There were other teams we weren't supposed to run against and we did it. Gibbs will test your strength on defense and if he's successful with it, watch out.

As for the defense, I can see Gregg going back to the game plan he used against detroit. Rush 4 and drop everyone else back. Sorry folks, I can see it happening since they're a pass oriented team.

We can't let Alexander run at all. He needs to be bottled up quick.

We also need to protect the ball and not have mistakes because of the crowd noise. Jump on the early to get the crowd out of it and keep the pedal down for 4 quarters.

[akhhorus]

I'm in the same boat with Akh on the offensive side of the ball. I would pound Portis and Betts at them. Make them prove they can stop the run. I don't agree with Akh in not running wide. There were other teams we weren't supposed to run against and we did it. Gibbs will test your strength on defense and if he's successful with it, watch out.

Seattle has 3 very good and very fast Lbs and an undersized speed Dline. Thats asking us to pound Portis on the slashes and counters in between the TEs and force them to sell out against the run IMO. The only other option I can think of is to spread them out and make them creep the Lbs backwards.

[HAWGZHEAD]

I think it is gonna be all about our secondary, they really need to show up big. Not really worried about Alexander as he is averaging around 50yds a game and we have been shutting down much better backs than him as of late.

Most important factor is to keep up the intensity we had vs dullass and don't turn the ball over.

[hail2skins]

Seattle has 3 very good and very fast Lbs and an undersized speed Dline. Thats asking us to pound Portis on the slashes and counters in between the TEs and force them to sell out against the run IMO. The only other option I can think of is to spread them out and make them creep the Lbs backwards.Yeah, well Minnesota had the #1 defense against the run and guess what. I still say give it a shot.

[The_Sonny_Of_Sammy]

Protect Collins. They've racked up 45 sacks this year. I think everything else will fall into place. Can't give them sacks or sacks with turnovers.

[shally]

Ditto. We need to wear down their D-Line so that we can drop back and get behind their safeties. Our defense needs to keep tackling well and I think we're going to see a lot of nickel packages to sustain their passing game.

tatupu is an amazing linebacker.. very similar to fletcher in that he is undersized but runs very well and arrives with an impact. he also has a knack for creating the turnover.. if we can get rabach to the second level we might be able to cut him off, but he will make plays one way or the other

kerney is having a monster year-- but it has been against inferior opponents. run right at him. give heyer help most of the time.

peterson is active and similar to marcus.. he should be watched for blitzes

trufant is playing very well, but he is not as fast as moss. we need to go deep on him with double moves..

grant hits hard from the safety position but can be beaten

the key is to stay balanced and use play action. also get cooley involved up the seam. we can wear down their defense if we stay with it

on defense, get after hasselbeck, but he is a very fine qb and tough to rattle and he has 4 solid receivers to throw to.. the tight end, pollard, is really a non factor this year

i dont worry about alexander because he is a shell of himself and does not like to get hit hard. but morris is very dangerous as we experienced the last time we played him. he is slippery, tough and a good receiver out of the backfield

the most productive receiver has been the old pro engram.. he has caught a ton of balls this year and hasselbeck looks for him on third down. branch is still hurting and if his calf is not right, he will not have the deep speed he once had. hackett is inconsistent as is burleson but they are dangerous deep

they still havent gotten over the loss of hutchinson but walter jones is a load. they should put daniels on him and let carter work against the right side
as they did against minny

we need to get on top of this team early and keep the pressure on them because they can definitely be beaten but we need to take it to them the same way we did against dallas

dont forget the last time we played them we had wynn out with a fractured arm and we were playing raymer at guard. despite the injuries our o line is light years better than in 2005.. plus brunell was incapable of finding receivers and portis was beaten up.. we are so much healthier now i expect that the seahawks are in for a big surprise if they think they can manhandle our lines

[akhhorus]

Yeah, well Minnesota had the #1 defense against the run and guess what. I still say give it a shot.

I'm not talking stats, I'm talking matchups. Minny has two GREAT DTs and a very good MLB, but shaky OLbs and DEs against the run and we had great success running wide until we wore out their DTs.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

the number one thing in my book is pass protection. their defense is really fast, and tatupu and especially peterson worry me a lot. peterson seems like a guy that could give us fits if we dont take care of him. we also need to get an early lead, much like weve been doin, to take the crowd out.

[GWBlitzST]

What do you think of the Hawks? What do you think we have to do on both sides of the ball?

Offense -

Run the ball consistently and effectively. Portis has to get at least 70/80 yards rushing if we are going to win tomorrow.

Getting a little ahead of ourselves, are we? I wish the game was tomorrow too. I don't have to work and Im going to be on this site all day, wishing it was Saturday.

To win the game, we just have to protect the ball, plain and simple. We don't fumble, and we win. That is the way the whole season has been, really.

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

Agree about wearing them down... Rotate Portis, Betts, Sellers, and even Cartwright now and then. Their LB's are fast, but I'm not sure how tough are they.

BTW, Fletcher is about to appear on Put up your Dukes, for anyone interested.

[hail2skins]

I'm not talking stats, I'm talking matchups. Minny has two GREAT DTs and a very good MLB, but shaky OLbs and DEs against the run and we had great success running wide until we wore out their DTs.Well, I'm not talking stats either. I don't think we should rule out something automatically. Try it and see. If successful, keep doing it until they fix it. If not, don't do it as much.

[akhhorus]

Well, I'm not talking stats either. I don't think we should rule out something automatically. Try it and see. If successful, keep doing it until they fix it. If not, don't do it as much.

Well, they have to do everything to keep the other team honest. But this is the playoffs, attack them at their weakness with our strength until they totally adjust out of their comfort zone. I believe thats in the Art of War somewhere lol.

[jtovb2005]

I think it is gonna be all about our secondary, they really need to show up big. Not really worried about Alexander as he is averaging around 50yds a game and we have been shutting down much better backs than him as of late.

Most important factor is to keep up the intensity we had vs dullass and don't turn the ball over.

What little I know about the Seahawks makes me think this too as far as the Defense goes. I see our weakness being pass defense. That said it seems it became that under the GW 2007 part 1, this "new" GW's defense is playing much better and aggressive. Can't let the vet QB have the time to find those receivers.

[jaylen]

I think that little pump fake draw could work allday.They are very fast and are gonna be speeding up field in alot of instances. I think Passing the ball and protection will be key.

But the Giants are better rushing the passer and we handled them and if our O line can hear the snap counts we could beat them in the passing game.

I don't expect anything good running early but if we have the score on our side by late 3rd the running could bust wide open.

False start penalties could be a killer with the crowd noise.

I agree with Akhhorus though, we need to bring the heat with blitzes, I have a sick feeling though that GW is gonna play coverage and get us nickle and dimed to death I hope I'm wrong though, every time we face quality qb's we seem to play cover 2 .

Hasselback running hurt us in 05 as well he's very sneaky getting out and running for an occasional 1st down. If we send the Heat we can discourage that.

[HAWGZHEAD]

What little I know about the Seahawks makes me think this too as far as the Defense goes. I see our weakness being pass defense. That said it seems it became that under the GW 2007 part 1, this "new" GW's defense is playing much better and aggressive. Can't let the vet QB have the time to find those receivers.
I just saw that Hackett is back too, something I didn't realize before. That just adds emphasis on our secondary playing well and pressuring Hasslebeck wouldn't hurt either lol.

[morty55]

What do you think of the Hawks? What do you think we have to do on both sides of the ball?

Offense -

Run the ball consistently and effectively. Portis has to get at least 70/80 yards rushing if we are going to win tomorrow. They are heavy on the pass rush, so running draws and screens will mean Portis could get large chunks early and often.

Cooley, Cooley, Cooley. He can beat those backers and safeties in coverage, and get yards after the catch because Seattle has tackling issues.

No mistakes. Collins need to continue to make those passes that keep the chains moving. We need to have long consistent drives, tire out the defense like we have the last three weeks.

Defense-

Blitzes need to get there. Rattle Hassleback and don't let him hit that receiving corps.

Make them one dimensional, We stopped the running game vs Giants so Eli had to throw the ball 52 times.

Good play by the secondary depth. there will be plety of nickel and Dime packages, they need to step up.


Overall - Run the ball and eat the clock. is into what we've been doing anyway.


What do you guys think?

I have seen Seattle on the ticket lately..they throw more than they run..most of the time
the last seven weeks have seen Matt throwing at about a 30 to 20 ratio passes to runs 279/169
in games vs weaker pass defending teams in the Ravens, Cards, Falcons, Bears, and Carolina
when they played a team with a decent pass defense..Holmgren was smart enough to call a relatively balanced number of attempts at 34/29 vs in a win over the Eagles and 40/36 vs the 49ers

I wouldn't be upset to see a soft corner approach until they get a feel for Hasselbeck..he isn't T. Jackson or B Johnson
Atlanta beat them with a cover-2 last week..but that meant nothing even though the #1 team played their fair share
they were holding back Hackett for the playoffs..and Engram beat us before..whenever he wanted..
just keep things in front of the safeties..greg will mix it up play different looks..just stop the run look for the dump
and typical Holmgren west coast slants..and believe that Fletcher will take care of the rest

get the offense moving the ball...
I can't imagine the offense being any different than it has been in Collins past efforts..
keep them off balance and show that playbook to set up Portis
most teams have not had to struggle to get it going versus them..

you can't script special teams but man have they played their guts out and made things
come together as much as any one single aspect

[santanadasavior]

I'm going to keep it simple:

-Blitz Hasslebeck
-Play Wilson a lot
-Screens and Draws to throw off their rush
-Cooley early and often
-Cooley late and often
-Down the field to Moss
-Caldwell/Thrash/El/McCardell making 5-15 yards completions whenever we need them
-Suisham and Frost continue to do well
-Man to man with our corners
-Know that our 12th man is going to be more of an inspiration than theirs

[LATrueRedskin]

On offense:

Power running game, especially in the rain. I agree that Seattle's defense is built for speed, so let's make them man-up and take us head on. Mix in some play-action and some quick routes. Protect Collins well, and keep the false start penalties to a minimum. That pumped-in crowd noise is loud. :D

On defense:

This one is tough. Shaun Alexander has all but lost it, but we can't take him for granted. Don't let him run all over us. But we also have to attend to a very quick, efficient passing game with a coach and quarterback that know their system very well. We may have to substitute Doughty for Prioleau in many packages because Doughty is as slow as the dickens. I agree with h2s here that we may want to install some of the gameplan we did earlier in the season against the Packers and Lions. Deeeeeep safeties, and rush just the lineman. Throw in some blitzes here and there.

[guess88]

Okay, I'll bite: why? Georgia was the favorite.

Favorite yes, but it was a good example of a high scoring offense with an undefeated season, and easy schedule get SMASHED when they played someone real. I was rooting for Hawaii, but they looked BAD. Real bad. Simply outclassed, and their coach even admitted it. Classic case of cupcake division vs tough division.

[smoak]

My gameplan would be run, run, run, run, run, play action deep, run, run, run, run, run, run play action deep.

Of course mixed in there would be passes on third and long, but I'd also mix in a draw or two (not 10).

The D knows what they have to do.

[Meatsnack]

Seattle is the mirror image of Minnesota, they start out one-dimensional but toward the pass rather than the run. Holmgren has abandoned the run due to Alexander's collapse and has put the ball in the hands of his best offensive player: Hasselback.

My fear here is that faced with knowing he will face 3 and 4 WR sets all day, GW will fall back into the Cover-2. My shrieks will be audible in the stadium.

In any case, what I would do is just what we did against Dallass. Dallass came in with the pass-happy, high scoring offense and we pressured and played man coverage. Hasselback likes getting hit about as much as Rhomo, which is to say, not at all. Walter Jones has lost a step and is vulnerable both to Malcom X on his own, and to the inside zone blitz.

On offense, I test them deep early and often. Both of their corners are good but neither can stay with Moss. Cooley should be open early and often since their LBs are good pass rushers but iffy in coverage. In between deep balls and hitting Colley between the hashes, I pound the ball 35 times, largely between the tackles with Sellers taking out whatever hapless LB is in the hole (Mr. Ware of Dallass knows what I am talking about). If the Seattle D-line starts to suck wind late, a few toss-sweeps and outside sprints. If Thomas were healthy, he could pull fast enough to make a lot of yardage this way but Portis just runs up Fabini's back. My goal here is to make whatever Seattle does wrong. Collins can read their defense well enough to run the no-huddle and I'd spend much of the game in it and let him punish their base personnel and pass when they drop a safety down and run when they leave him back.

[Battle Cat]

I think we should throw passes early to set up the run. Lossen them up with some passes then Portis Portis Portis. On defense get after Hassleback. Walter Jones (Huntsville, AL) has a bad shoulder and has now power in his upper body due to it. Even so I say we move Andre Carter from side to side like they did in the Minnesota game and let him try to apply pressure from the right and the left side. Griffen and Montgomery are the keys to this game. If they can push the middle we will be ok. London FLetcher has to be the guy to stop the run since we will be looking pass mostly. G. Williams stop trying to drop Fletcher in to the deep middle he is not that type of middle linebacker at least not anymore.

[morty55]

I think we should throw passes early to set up the run. Lossen them up with some passes then Portis Portis Portis. On defense get after Hassleback. Walter Jones (Huntsville, AL) has a bad shoulder and has now power in his upper body due to it. Even so I say we move Andre Carter from side to side like they did in the Minnesota game and let him try to apply pressure from the right and the left side. Griffen and Montgomery are the keys to this game. If they can push the middle we will be ok. London FLetcher has to be the guy to stop the run since we will be looking pass mostly. G. Williams stop trying to drop Fletcher in to the deep middle he is not that type of middle linebacker at least not anymore.

great analysis.

.I can't understand why we haven't read anywhere about Seattle only playing two games all year vs teams in the playoffs... none at all since week 5 against Pittsburgh and earlier vs Tampa..and really the only teams the last 12 weeks of the season with decent run defense were the Eagles and 49ers..and they gave up on the run??

if anything the Skins are the most battle tested of the two..and can look
to do what they want to do..and not worry about what Seattle can muster :sfight:

[Agrawog]

I think the earlier analysis is staid and expected. I think we should start Randle-El at QB, go 5 wide with Collins at WR and supplement that with option and wishbone running with Randle-El, Portis, Rock, and Betts in the Bone.

On defense - blitz 8 men on every down. That will stop the run and get to Hasselbeck on any passing down. The CBs just need to deck the WRs at the line and put them on the ground to destroy the timing.

Oh yeah - no punting either. WE go for it on 4th down every time.

Skins 51 Hawks 0

See - real analysis takes originality.

[CNYSkinFan]

Jason LaConfora had a great blog (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/01/skinsseahawks_scouting_report.html#more) talking an NFL scout's opinion

It might be the best game of the weekend, and turnovers will settle it, flat out. The turnover ratio wins the game. That's a very tough place to play, and I think this game can go either way, but if you're making pick - you're making me pick? - (pause) I'll take Seattle. They're not superb in any area but they're pretty good across the board. They've won more games than anyone else in the NFC the last three seasons, and they know how to win. They've been very consistent. They deserve to be the third seed.

Don't get me wrong, they're very beatable, but if you're making me pick I'll take Seattle in a close game.

I think this could be Washington's best test. If they find a way to way to win this game, I love them in Dallas. They don't have any fear about going down there. You take this win streak into the playoffs, that's a dangerous football team. If they win on the road (in Seattle), they might be playing for a long while.


Besides picking Seattle (in a close battle0 ist is a pretty good read

[hessy36]

What do you think of the Hawks? What do you think we have to do on both sides of the ball?

Offense -

Run the ball consistently and effectively. Portis has to get at least 70/80 yards rushing if we are going to win tomorrow. They ae heavy on the pass rush, so running draws and screens will mean Portis could get large chunks early and often.

Cooley, Cooley, Cooley. He can beat those backers and safeties in coverage, and get yards after the catch because Seattle has tackling issues.

No mistakes. Collins need to continue to make those passes that keep the chains moving. We need to have long consistent drives, tire out the defense like we have the last three weeks.

Defense-

Blitzes need to get there. Rattle Hassleback and don't let him hit that receiving corps.

Make them one dimensional, We stopped the running game vs Giants so Eli had to throw the ball 52 times.

Good play by the secondary depth. there will be plety of nickel and Dime packages, they need to step up.


Overall - Run the ball and eat the clock. is into what we've been doing anyway.


What do you guys think?

NO turnovers. I worry about those Hawks and they way they seem to be able to pop that ball out.

[Skinz4lyfe]

Let's keep a balanced offense but I'd still like to see us wear them down running the ball.

On defense I wanna see some zone blitzes. With their type of west coast offense they'll kill us if we blitz by getting rid of the ball early. We gotta mix it up on D as well. Sell out and dare them to run on you. Play them similar to how we played Detroit and we might be alright.

[SeahawkDude]

WOW...If you guys are to be believed, the Seahawks might as well not even show up for the game. We'd be toast........ Truth is, you're going up against a team that only a couple of years ago was a few bad calls away from being Super Bowl champs. For the most part, we're stll the same team. The 'Skins on the other hand, haven't smelled REAL success since Joe "Time-out" Gibbs had his first go-around many moons ago.
As far as Shaun Alexander being washed up, he's a proud man who'll push through the pain to rack up big numbers.......imo. And a few contributers here wisely pointed out the crowd noise. For your sake, I hope your 'Skins are practicing the silent count......Qwest Field is brutal on visiting teams.

[Farmer Ted]

As far as Shaun Alexander being washed up, he's a proud man who'll push through the pain to rack up big numbers.......imo.

So, you think he'll surpass the 15 yards or so that he gained against the Skins the last time?

[HAWGZHEAD]

lol, big numbers to shaun alexander these days is around 55yds.

[Farmer Ted]

Ooops, I gave Mr. Softie (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=28851&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2005&week=POST19) a little too much credit. 6 carries for 9 yards. Yes, I think he'll surpass that.

[HAWGZHEAD]

Ooops, I gave Mr. Softie (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=28851&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2005&week=POST19) a little too much credit. 6 carries for 9 yards. Yes, I think he'll surpass that.
Yeah I think he sustained a neck injury trying to bust through the line that day in the fist quarter. Only way alexander gets yards is if we get spread out by a successful seagull passing game.

[Farmer Ted]

Yeah I think he sustained a neck injury trying to bust through the line that day in the fist quarter. Only way alexander gets yards is if we get spread out by a successful seagull passing game.

Yeah, he tripped over the line of scrimmage and sustained an Owwie.