Hammock Parties
10-27-2006, 11:05 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/10/chiefs-seahawks-preview271006.html
When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Give credit to backup quarterback Damon Huard. He's played above and beyond the call of duty in starter Trent Green's absence. His game a week ago was the best performance of any quarterback against San Diego's defense all year. He'll likely need that confidence this week against a Seattle pass rush that is loaded across the board. The Seahawks are fourth in the NFL in sacks, and can bring pressure from anywhere.
Outside linebacker Julian Peterson leads the team with six sacks, and he often lines up as a defensive end in passing situations, replacing Grant Wistrom. Sixth-year man Bryce Fisher will likely give Chiefs right tackle Kevin Sampson some big problems all game. The most interesting dynamic in this matchup is easily Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez against Julian Peterson. The last time they squared off, Peterson, then a 49er, completely shut down Gonzalez. Will the Seahawks commit Peterson in coverage, or let him rush the passer? Will the Chiefs send Gonzalez down the field, hoping to keep Peterson away from Huard? Let the chess game begin.
Edge: Seahawks
When the Seattle Seahawks pass: You've got to feel sorry for Seattle quarterback Seneca Wallace. Arrowhead Stadium is no place for a young quarterback to make his first NFL start. Compounding the challenge is, once again, Seattle's offensive line. They've allowed 21 sacks already this year. The running backs struggle in blitz pickup, too, especially Maurice Morris. That's a big problem this week against a team that loves to send linebackers screaming after the quarterback.
The good news for Seattle is that it has a set of receivers that will test KC's secondary, and Wallace does have the ability to get the ball out. Despite his athleticism, he's not a run-first quarterback. He has a strong arm and his lack of height doesn't appear to be a problem. This will be another week in which the Chiefs must watch for the bootleg, although the Seahawks don't use much play action in their passing game.
Edge: Chiefs
When the Kansas City Chiefs run: Is Larry Johnson back? After a stellar 132-yard effort a week ago against the San Diego Chargers , he'll face another good run defense this Sunday. The Seahawks allowed Chester Taylor to run for 169 yards a week ago, but other than that, they've been extremely solid all year, shutting down backs like Kevin Jones, Tiki Barber and Steven Jackson.
The Seahawks are extremely quick along the defensive line. Brian Waters and Will Shields, KC's veteran Pro Bowl guards, will have an interesting battle all day long with Seattle defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Rocky Bernard. Until the Chiefs prove they can consistently run the ball effectively as they did against San Diego, call this one a push.
Edge: Even
When the Seattle Seahawks run: Shaun Alexander remains out of the lineup for Seattle with a foot injury. That's bad news for a team that is really struggling to run the ball in his absence. The Seahawks are averaging just 3.7 yards per rush without him. Alexander's replacement, Maurice Morris, has almost no ability to break tackles, but the real problem is the offensive line.
Simply put, the Seahawks' front five is not playing anywhere close to the level it attained a year ago. They struggle with power running and the outside stretch plays haven't been very effective, either. The draw has been the best weapon in Seattle's running game since Alexander left. With Wallace making his first NFL start, there's little sign of relief this weekend against a Chiefs run defense that has been stingy at home in recent years.
Edge: Chiefs
Special teams: Big advantage for KC. Placekicker Josh Brown has already missed two kicks under 40 yards for Seattle this year, and punter Ryan Plackemeier is average. Watch Chiefs kick returner Dante Hall closely to see if he shakes off a poor performance from a week ago. If he struggles again, he could be replaced by rookie Jeff Webb on kickoffs and Eddie Kennison on punts.
Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: The Chiefs are riding high after a huge win over a division rival. With Matt Hasselbeck down for the better part of a month, the rest of Seattle's team will likely step up and rally around Wallace. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is 1-0 lifetime against Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren.
Edge:Chiefs
Prediction: The Seahawks won't go down without a fight, but Seneca Wallace is no William Wallace.
Chiefs 24, Seahawks 13
When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Give credit to backup quarterback Damon Huard. He's played above and beyond the call of duty in starter Trent Green's absence. His game a week ago was the best performance of any quarterback against San Diego's defense all year. He'll likely need that confidence this week against a Seattle pass rush that is loaded across the board. The Seahawks are fourth in the NFL in sacks, and can bring pressure from anywhere.
Outside linebacker Julian Peterson leads the team with six sacks, and he often lines up as a defensive end in passing situations, replacing Grant Wistrom. Sixth-year man Bryce Fisher will likely give Chiefs right tackle Kevin Sampson some big problems all game. The most interesting dynamic in this matchup is easily Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez against Julian Peterson. The last time they squared off, Peterson, then a 49er, completely shut down Gonzalez. Will the Seahawks commit Peterson in coverage, or let him rush the passer? Will the Chiefs send Gonzalez down the field, hoping to keep Peterson away from Huard? Let the chess game begin.
Edge: Seahawks
When the Seattle Seahawks pass: You've got to feel sorry for Seattle quarterback Seneca Wallace. Arrowhead Stadium is no place for a young quarterback to make his first NFL start. Compounding the challenge is, once again, Seattle's offensive line. They've allowed 21 sacks already this year. The running backs struggle in blitz pickup, too, especially Maurice Morris. That's a big problem this week against a team that loves to send linebackers screaming after the quarterback.
The good news for Seattle is that it has a set of receivers that will test KC's secondary, and Wallace does have the ability to get the ball out. Despite his athleticism, he's not a run-first quarterback. He has a strong arm and his lack of height doesn't appear to be a problem. This will be another week in which the Chiefs must watch for the bootleg, although the Seahawks don't use much play action in their passing game.
Edge: Chiefs
When the Kansas City Chiefs run: Is Larry Johnson back? After a stellar 132-yard effort a week ago against the San Diego Chargers , he'll face another good run defense this Sunday. The Seahawks allowed Chester Taylor to run for 169 yards a week ago, but other than that, they've been extremely solid all year, shutting down backs like Kevin Jones, Tiki Barber and Steven Jackson.
The Seahawks are extremely quick along the defensive line. Brian Waters and Will Shields, KC's veteran Pro Bowl guards, will have an interesting battle all day long with Seattle defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Rocky Bernard. Until the Chiefs prove they can consistently run the ball effectively as they did against San Diego, call this one a push.
Edge: Even
When the Seattle Seahawks run: Shaun Alexander remains out of the lineup for Seattle with a foot injury. That's bad news for a team that is really struggling to run the ball in his absence. The Seahawks are averaging just 3.7 yards per rush without him. Alexander's replacement, Maurice Morris, has almost no ability to break tackles, but the real problem is the offensive line.
Simply put, the Seahawks' front five is not playing anywhere close to the level it attained a year ago. They struggle with power running and the outside stretch plays haven't been very effective, either. The draw has been the best weapon in Seattle's running game since Alexander left. With Wallace making his first NFL start, there's little sign of relief this weekend against a Chiefs run defense that has been stingy at home in recent years.
Edge: Chiefs
Special teams: Big advantage for KC. Placekicker Josh Brown has already missed two kicks under 40 yards for Seattle this year, and punter Ryan Plackemeier is average. Watch Chiefs kick returner Dante Hall closely to see if he shakes off a poor performance from a week ago. If he struggles again, he could be replaced by rookie Jeff Webb on kickoffs and Eddie Kennison on punts.
Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: The Chiefs are riding high after a huge win over a division rival. With Matt Hasselbeck down for the better part of a month, the rest of Seattle's team will likely step up and rally around Wallace. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is 1-0 lifetime against Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren.
Edge:Chiefs
Prediction: The Seahawks won't go down without a fight, but Seneca Wallace is no William Wallace.
Chiefs 24, Seahawks 13