KEY MATCHUP
RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Washington’s front seven
The Seahawks renewed their commitment to the running game following their loss to Cincinnati, and in three games since then, Lynch has carried 82 times for 332 yards and three scores. So needless to say, the offense, while run by quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, now goes through Lynch, who has scored a touchdown in six consecutive games.
While not always pretty, this grind-it-out offense is exactly what Pete Carroll wants to see from his team, and the formula has been especially successful late in games as Lynch’s battering-ram approach wears on opposing defenses. In time, Seattle’s commitment to the run game should create more explosive plays in the passing game as well.
“It helps everybody, but for me specifically it gives more one-on-one opportunities outside, play-action — you’ve got guys more open and you’ve got bigger windows to throw the ball in,” Jackson said. “… I know the receivers like it too, as far getting the one-on-one’s outside, the one high safety looks instead of taking on a safety and a corner. So that helps throughout the whole team, not just me, but everybody.”
Establishing some sort of running threat is particularly important against Washington because of the pass rushers the Redskins have coming off the edge. Outside linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo can give teams fits from both sides, and if Seattle is in a situation where it has to pass every down, they’ll be able to tee off on Jackson. That would be bad news for the Seahawks, particularly as a new-look line finds its way following the losses of James Carpenter and John Moffitt to season-ending injuries.
KEY NUMBER
65 — Games played by the Seahawks, including playoffs, since they last won three consecutive games. If Seattle wins today, it will mark the team’s first three-game winning streak since it won five straight in 2007.
BREAK IT DOWN
Seahawks will win if they:
Get ahead, then get after Rex Grossman. Last week showed that the Seahawks, despite their pass-rush issues, can get after the quarterback with the best of the NFL when they force teams to throw every down.
Protect the quarterback. Seattle’s patchwork line gave up five sacks last week, and Washington’s pass-rush duo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are among the best at getting after quarterbacks.
Finally, fix the penalty problem. The Seahawks have won two in a row despite committing 13 penalties in each game. Keep that up, and it will eventually catch up with them.
Redskins will win if they:
Start fast. During their six-game losing streak, the Redskins have been almost constantly playing from behind. Getting a fast start will be tough on the road, but could be the key to turning things around.
Take care of the ball. Washington is minus-10 in turnover ratio, ranking among the worst teams in the league, and QB Rex Grossman has thrown 12 interceptions in seven games. Keep that up and the Redskins will be staring at their seventh straight loss.
Figure out a way to run on Seattle’s tough run D. Few teams have found success running against Seattle, but abandoning the run will put too much pressure on Grossman and give a rapidly improving secondary a chance to make big plays.
IMPORTANT INJURIES
Seahawks: WR Sidney Rice practiced fully Friday after sitting out the previous two days and is expected to play. Also listed as probable are DE Anthony Hargrove (hamstring), S Atari Bigby (hamstring), QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) and WR Ben Obomanu (knee/ankle). DT Alan Branch (ankle) and CB Byron Maxwell (ankle) are both questionable and will be game-day decisions.
Redskins: The Redskins also come into the game relatively healthy with only receivers Nile Paul (toe) and Donte Stallworth (foot) listed as questionable. Ten other players are listed as probable including starting offensive linemen Jammal Brown, Trent Williams and Maurice Hurt, WR Santana Moss, CB Josh Wilson, LB Landon Fletcher and S LaRon Landry.
SERIES HISTORY
Washington leads the regular-season series 10-4, while Seattle has won the only two playoff meetings between the two teams. The Redskins have won five consecutive regular-season games against the Seahawks dating back to 2001, and are 5-3 all time in Seattle, including playoff games.
PICK
Seahawks 23, Redskins 13
Washington is better than its current six-game losing streak might indicate, but the Redskins do have some real issues on offense and they’re not going to solve them on the road against a defense of Seattle’s caliber.
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