Seahawks Plan To Run

john1981cr · Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 111

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com contributing writer

Mike Holmgren won't shy away from the strategy. And he's not afraid to tell the world.
The Seattle coach knows the gameplan for Saturday night's wild-card matchup against the Cowboys is to run the ball and then, run the ball some more. That's why they have Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris and a quality offensive line in front of them. That's how they won last year's NFC title.
But he has also been around long enough to know Dallas coach Bill Parcells knows exactly what to expect. Not that that's going to stop him or anything.
"Dallas, against us in the past, and most of the time, has shown a great ability to stop the run," Holmgren said. "Theyʼre physical guys who run the defense very well. Thatʼs kind of how that division is. Theyʼre big, physical teams who play the game that way."
The good news for Holmgren and Co. is that those mighty Cowboys haven't been all that "physical" lately, as seen in miserable home losses to Detroit and Philadelphia to close the regular season.
But Holmgren didn't get to the Super Bowl three times by worrying about his opponent all that much. He has enough concerns on his own club, thank you.
"The positive side is that the last two ball games, Iʼve been pleased with how weʼve played. Weʼve played better," said Holmgren, whose team lost to the Chargers before defeating the Buccaneers to close out the regular season. "Our running back is running very, very hard and very confidently. Our young linemen, who have had to play, have a few games under their belt and theyʼre getting a little better feel for it. And here we go. Itʼs sudden death, and here we go."
The host Seahawks are -3 on WagerWeb.com, the smallest line of wild-card weekend. That number, of course, is due to many things. First, neither team particularly steamrolled into the postseason. Second, in the NFC -- a conference no one truly seems ready to win -- it's obvious that anything can happen.
One clear concern for the home team is that Seattle's defensive backfield is extremely banged up and that could spell trouble against wide receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. Now quarterback Tony Romo -- in his postseason debut -- may not be able to cash in on that weakness, but time will tell.
"They are coached by one of the guys I think is one of the all-time great coaches in this league. He's going to get them ready to play. There is no doubt about that," Holmgren said. "I don't know if you ever catch anybody at the right time in the playoffs. It's a new season. We're all saying the same thing. New Orleans and Chicago don't have to say it this week, but they'll be saying it next week. Everybody has to bring their 'A' game. It's just expected."
The Seahawks cruised past Washington and Carolina in the NFC playoffs last season. But that was a different Seattle team, not one that lost three of the last four and backed into a division title.
"Football is a funny game. The ball bounces funny," Holmgren said. "You get a call here and there, something happens. Itʼs just like the regular season. So I think every team, and every team Iʼve ever coached, you go in thinking, ʽHey, we can do this.ʼ Now, some things have to fall in line for us. But we can do this, and Iʼm sure every team feels the same way."

PENN IS MIGHTY: When Jets quarterback Chad Pennington was named Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday, he responded in typical team fashion. He was gracious. He was flattered. But, most of all, he was quick to spread the wealth around the locker room.
"It's been," he said, "such a team effort."
For the Jets and their resurgent quarterback coming off two shoulder surgeries, it most definitely has. The offense hasn't lit up the scoreboard. The defense hasn't stonewalled too many teams not named the Raiders. But, here they are, in the wild-card round, ready to face the rival Patriots on Sunday.
That said, this Cinderella group is +8.5 on WagerWeb.com.

EXTRA POINTS: San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has shed the protective boot on his injured foot and it appears to be all systems go for the first-year starter when the Chargers open the playoffs next week. San Diego is +130 to win the AFC on WagerWeb.com. ... Colts free safety Bob Sanders (knee) is expected to start Saturday against the Chiefs. Indianapolis is -7 on WagerWeb.com.

WagerWeb Football