Seattle Seahawks Fantasy Analysis - Week 18

January 4, 2008 @ 06:43:23

By Troy Monteforte
Edited by Herija C. Green

Seattle Seahawks Fantasy Matchups - NFC Wild Card Playoff Game

Opponent: vs Washington Redskins

The Seahawks (10-6) had nothing on the line this past weekend, as they had already secured the third seed in the NFC playoffs. They ended up playing the starters for most of the first half and going with the reserves in the second half. Surprisingly, they put up a whopping 41 points in a losing cause to the Atlanta Falcons (4-12). The final score was 44-41. This upcoming Saturday, the Seahawks will face a formidable opponent in the Redskins (9-7). The Redskins looked all but eliminated a month ago, but they reeled off four consecutive wins (all with quarterback Todd Collins under center, including his only three starts this season) to snare the last playoff and are a team on a mission following the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor.

Quarterback

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	PH
Matt Hasselbeck	4	20	32	223.0	2.00	0.50	8.8	0.00	X

Hasselbeck (wrist) was injured in last weekend's game, but he should be just fine for the first playoff game of the 2007 season. He has always been quite solid throughout the season, nothing amazing nor totally awful, just consistently good. As such, Hasselbeck should be played as a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback this Saturday. 

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G
Redskins	4	22	43	219.5	0.75	1.25	14.2	0.50

The Redskins defense has been stellar against opposing quarterbacks. While they may have allowed the highest amount of rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in the league over the past month, they are absolutely stout in passing touchdowns allowed. Additionally, they seem to have a knack at forcing turnovers, snagging an average of 1.25 interceptions per game over the past month.

Running Back

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Util/G (%)	RZ Util/G (%)	In-5 Util/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Maurice Morris	4	15.00 (22.00)	2.50 (26.24)	0.25	45.5	0.25	3.00	18.5	0.00	N/A
Shaun Alexander	4	10.75 (15.77)	1.75 (18.37)	0.75	39.8	0.25	0.50	5.0	0.25	+
Leonard Weaver	4	7.75 (11.37)	0.50 (5.25)	0.00	12.8	0.00	3.50	31.5	0.00	N/A

The Seahawks running game just might be back on track now. For the last couple of weeks it looks like they have gotten it back after it had been missing in action nearly all season long. However, they will be facing one of the best rush defenses in the league in the Redskins. Of course, the Seahawks were one of only three teams to rush for more than 100 yards against the Baltimore Ravens a few weeks back, so who knows what could happen. Morris should be played as a solid No. 2 fantasy running back this Saturday, though he is a weak play against this defense. 

Alexander had a great game last time he faced the Redskins, and he is looking to do much of the same this weekend. However, Alexander is in the same boat as the rest of the Seahawks backs; he, too, must face this formidable rush defense. As such, Alexander should play as a solid No. 2 fantasy running back. He, too, is a weak play. 

Weaver is a great change-of-pace back for the Seahawks. Unfortunately, as the third-string guy, he does not see a lot of consistent touches. For this game, consider Weaver a low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 fantasy back with a weak play this Saturday.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Att/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Redskins	4	19.5	56.8	0.00	5.25	44.5	0.00

The Redskins are clearly one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. In fact, they lead the league in allowing a mere 56.8 yards for no touchdowns per game on the ground through their last four games. Alexander and the boys could have some problems finding holes against Washington. 

Wide Receiver

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Bobby Engram	4	7.25 (10.63)	0.50 (5.25)	0.25	5.50	68.2	0.50	+
Deion Branch	3	7.67 (8.43)	2.00 (15.74)	0.00	4.33	51.7	0.67	N/A
Nate Burleson	4	6.75 (9.90)	1.00 (10.49)	0.00	4.00	60.2	1.00	N/A
D.J. Hackett	1	9.00 (3.30)	0.00 (0.00)	0.00	4.00	41.0	0.00	N/A
Courtney Taylor	1	2.00 (0.73)	0.00 (0.00)	0.00	2.00	13.0	0.00	N/A
Ben Obomanu	4	1.75 (2.57)	0.00 (0.00)	0.00	1.00	13.0	0.00	N/A

Hasselbeck has a ton of options in the passing game, which while great for the Seahawks can be quite frustrating for fantasy owners since they seemingly change their offensive air schemes on a weekly basis. For this weekend, we believe that Engram will be the main go-to guy, due at least in part to his previous success against the Redskins. Engram should be considered a solid No. 1 fantasy receiver this weekend. However, he is considered a weak play since he is facing a tough Redskins defense. 

Branch (calf) took last week off to be as healthy as possible for this playoff game. He hasn't practiced this week, but head coach Mike Holmgren has indicated he will play this weekend. Assuming he does indeed suit up, Branch should be considered a solid No. 1 fantasy receiver for this game. He, too, is a weak play.

Burleson is yet another one of Hasselbeck's favorite targets and his four touchdowns in the last month lead the team. He should be played as a low No. 1 or high No. 2 fantasy receiver with a weak play this Saturday.

The wild card for the Seahawks could be Hackett (ankle). He is an unbelievable downfield threat and some argue that he is the fastest player and has the best hands on the team. However, he has also dealt with a bad ankle not once, but twice, this season. He played last weekend against the Falcons and looked good. Let's hope he can keep it that way. For now Hackett should be played as a low No. 2 or solid No. 3 fantasy receiver. He is a weak play.

Neither Taylor nor Obomanu play enough to warrant any fantasy consideration. They should not be owned.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Redskins	4	10.00	114.8	0.25

The Redskins defense against opposing wide receivers has been one of the best in the league. Once again, Hasselbeck and the Seahawks receiving corps could have their hands full this Saturday.

Tight End

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Marcus Pollard	4	2.75 (4.03)	0.75 (7.87)	0.25	2.00	17.2	0.25	N/A
Will Heller	3	2.33 (2.93)	0.67 (7.87)	0.00	1.00	12.3	0.00	N/A

A minute weakness in the Redskins defense is in their defending of opposing tight ends. The Seahawks tight ends are rarely used in anything other than blocking schemes, but this Saturday could be different. Pollard can be played as a solid No. 1 tight end this weekend.

Heller, on the other hand, does not warrant much fantasy consideration for this matchup. As such, he should be benched as a weak play.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Redskins	4	5.00	43.5	0.50

Typically, the Seahawks tend to use their tight ends more in blocking schemes. However, Pollard and Heller may see some action in this one to try to take advantage of what appears to be a good matchup. 

Place Kicker

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Josh Brown	4	1.75	1.75	3.25	3.25	8.5

Once again, Brown has a great weekend and his numbers drive him up towards the top of the league for place kickers. He seems to come up big in playoff games, so he should be played as a solid No. 1 fantasy place kicker this weekend.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Redskins	4	1.50	2.50	1.25	1.25	5.8

If the Seahawks have a chance, it might be in the hands... err, foot... of Brown. Brown has always been a pretty solid place kicker, but especially in the postseason.

Defensive Team/Special Teams

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Team	G	Off Pts Allowed/G	Net Yds Allowed/G	Sacks/G	INT/G	Fum Rec/G
Seahawks	4	21.0	333.5	2.25	1.25	0.75

The Seahawks defense remains one of the better ones in the league. It should be interesting to see how they match up against Collins, as he is still "the new guy" in Washington, even though he has been around the NFL for years. The defense will really have to step up this Saturday after allowing 44 points to the Falcons last weekend. The Seahawks defense should be played as a solid No. 1 fantasy defense this weekend.

Table: Opponent Offense vs. Defense

Team	G	Off Pts/G	Net Yds/G	Sacks Allowed/G	INT Thrown/G	Fum Lost/G
Redskins	4	25.8	343.8	2.00	0.00	0.75

The Redskins are entering the playoffs on a four-game win streak (including beating the best team in the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys), while the Seahawks are licking their wounds after losing to the 4-12 Falcons last weekend. Neither the Cowboys nor the Seahawks may have had anything at stake, but don't think for a minute that either team didn't notice what happened. Collins hasn't thrown an interception in the last four weeks and only allows an average of two sacks per game. Additionally, this offense is putting up an average of nearly 26 points and almost 350 yards per game, as well. The Seahawks may need to bring everything they have to come out victorious in this one. R.I.P. Sean Taylor, No. 21.

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Troy Monteforte
Troy Monteforte enjoys writing clear, concise opinions based upon facts and historical data about subjects he truly cares about. Living near Seahawks Stadium, he is satisfied that the Seahawks not only won their first playoff game ever but represented the NFC in Super Bowl XL! He has been a KFFL Contributor since 2003.

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