Sea Hawkers,

I can’t believe it’s the final game of the regular season. How quickly 17 weeks (21 including preseason) go by. Fortunately we’re guaranteed to have playoff football, and it sure has a different feeling than it did two years ago when our Seahawks won the division.

I read a great post today from someone who was being critical of the Seahawks fans who “weren’t getting their hopes up.” Essentially his point was to ask the question of why we shouldn’t get our hopes up.  The Seahawks have an amazing team this year and even if we have to go on the road, who is to say that this Seattle team can’t go all the way to the Super Bowl.

One person who is getting her hopes up—our Military Sea Hawkers president. MSG Williams already has her hotel room in New Orleans booked, so at least we know where we can all crash when the Seahawks make it to the Super Bowl.

Congratulations to Military Sea Hawker Derik Sturgeon who won the tickets to this weekend’s game. I sincerely wish I had more tickets to give away. Thank you to all who posted.

GO HAWKS!!!

-Brandan

Another week of Seahawks football!

I’m not going to say that those of you who are deployed this football season are lucky, but I will say that I think you’ve been able to see more Seahawks football than any service member stationed outside of the Seattle area.

I’m only an eight-hour drive from Seattle and the Seahawks have been on AFN more than they have on network television here in Montana. I think it’s awesome that for these last few weeks, and guaranteed again next week, that you’ve been able to enjoy a Sunday without being limited to Cowboys, Packers, Patriots and Steelers games.

This week’s game is on AFN Xtra and DTS Atlantic at 1300 PST/2100 GMT on Sunday and Monday morning at 0130 in Afghanistan.

Rams vs. Seahawks: 3 Keys to Seattle Victory

By Brandan Schulze
Military Sea Hawkers

After a dominant 42-13 performance on Sunday night, the Seattle Seahawks are looking to finish off with a win against the St. Louis Rams with the opportunity to remain undefeated at home and win the NFC west.

If the San Francisco 49ers lose at home to the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks can earn the top spot and be guaranteed a home playoff game. But, unlike the Cardinals, St. Louis is playing for more than simply trying to be a playoff-seed spoiler. A 4-1 record over their last five games has the Rams in position for their first season above .500 since 2003.

Here is a look at 10 keys to the game for the Seahawks this Sunday as they hope to improve their playoff position and finish at 11-5 for the first time in team history.

Overcoming the Rams’ NFC West Dominance

The Rams have won seven games this year, but have yet to lose to an NFC West opponent. These two teams played a close game back in September, with the Seahawks losing 19-13.

Since then, the Rams picked up two wins over the Cardinals and a win and a tie against the 49ers.

Of course the Seahawks’ performance on the road against division rivals has not been indicative of their performance at CenturyLink. While they have lost by a combined 17 points on the road, they have won by a total of 87 at home.

In seven road games this season, St. Louis has done just enough to get by. The Rams are averaging 20 points per game on the road with defense holding teams just below 20.

The Seahawks are 7-0 at home. The Rams 4-0-1 in the division, but one of these records will suffer on Sunday.

If the Rams can make it happen, it will be up to their defense to have a dominant afternoon. St. Louis played defense well enough to stop the 49ers twice, but will the team be able to stop this Seahawks offense that is averaging 50 points a game over the last three weeks? It’s doubtful.

Keeping the Ball From Janoris Jenkins 

The Seahawks need to make sure that Janoris Jenkins doesn’t get his hands on the football. Jenkins has ran three of his four interceptions this year back for touchdowns, including two in one game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Jenkins also has a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Rams’ win over the 49ers. The second round draft pick is having an outstanding rookie year and hasn’t given up a touchdown pass since the team’s bye in Week 9.

More importantly, his scores all seem to have a big impact on the outcome of the games. The Rams haven’t lost a game when he’s gotten into the end zone.  Interestingly, Jenkins has as many touchdowns this season as running back Steven Jackson. But the Rams have only won two of those four games in which Jackson has scored.

Avoid Giving Up Big Plays

Jeff Fisher and the Rams have lived for the big play this year. They’ve needed at least one per game in order to win. In fact, the only win in which they didn’t have a big play, was their 15-12 victory on the road in Buffalo.

When the Rams’ offense scores touchdowns on plays more than 30 yards, they are 4-1-1. If you throw in games where they score on special teams or defense, they are 6-2-1.

If the Seahawks get on the board quickly, as they have in their recent division match-ups at home, then allowing big plays will be the only way the Rams can get back in the game. That will also take the possibility of the Rams controlling time of possession as they pound away with Steven Jackson.

Considering how Seattle has been playing at home this season and the stakes that are on the line, it’s difficult to see the Seahawks come away with anything but another dominant performance to finish the season 8-0 at home.

Not to jinx anything, but the last time the Seahawks went undefeated at home was the year they went to their first Super Bowl.

From 10 Keys to a Seattle Victory: Full article on our Military Sea Hawkers website and Bleacher Report.

Brandan Schulze
Military Sea Hawkers
VP of Communications and Membership