Divisional Playoffs, Game Three: ....wait, who??

Game 3 of the divisional playoff series this weekend will feature an epic showdown between the streaking Chicago Bears and...

...wait, this isn't right, I think I've gotten some misinformation here.

The Seattle Seahawks? A 7-9 team? And they somehow made it past the Saints, a team that finished 11-5 and, only a year ago, nearly went undefeated in the regular season and topped the Colts in the Super Bowl?

Say it isn't so.

Alas, the truth is that the Seahawks are indeed marching on into the second round of the playoffs - and in grand fashion, too. The lowly Seattle team demolished the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints by a score of 41-36 last week, despite being outgained 474-415 in total yardage. A large portion of the credit for that victory lies with Matt Hasselbeck, who experienced a career revival in that game, throwing for 272 yards and four touchdowns. Only four times this season (five, including this game) has Hasselbeck topped 250 yards in one game. In six of those games, he failed to even reach the 200-yard mark.

His performance in this game will be key if the Seahawks want to pull off another upset over the #2 seeded NFC North champion Bears. Five of Seattle's wins came in games where Hasselbeck successfully threw a touchdown pass. In games where he threw none, Seattle went 1-4. His health will also be a factor. Seattle has to protect Hasselbeck from too many hits, risking the chance that they will be forced to resort to backup Charlie Whitehurst. In games that Charlie Whitehurst played or started, Seattle went 2-3. Whitehurst topped 100 yards passing only twice in those five games, and threw only two touchdown passes. Whitehurst's inconsistency would only hurt Seattle's chances, especially against a Bears defense that had 34 sacks for the season, and was fifth in the league with 21 interceptions. Seattle will have to ensure that rookie Russell Okung has help against Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, who finished the regular season with eight sacks and two interceptions.

Another player of importance is running back Marshawn Lynch. Against New Orleans, Lynch had a breakout performance in his first season with the Seahawks, running for 131 yards and a touchdown on a ridiculous game-sealing run in the fourth quarter during which he broke eight tackles. Not once during the regular season did any Seattle tailback break the 100-yard mark in a single game - a stat which caused no end of trouble for the team, as it allowed opposing defenses to key in on Hasselbeck and devote fewer resources to defending against the run. If Lynch can repeat his performance against the Bears, who were 2nd in the league with only 90 rushing yards allowed per game, the Seahawks stand a much better chance of advancing further into the playoffs.

For the Bears, their biggest flaw is certainly the offensive line. Quarterback Jay Cutler has certainly spent more time on his rear end on the turf than he would like, after being sacked 52 times - the most in the NFL. The Seattle defensive line was no pushover, finishing at 13th in the league with 37 sacks. If the Bears can't keep Cutler on his feet long enough to loft the ball to speedy receivers Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Devin Hester, they stand little chance of maintaining their lofty position in the rankings, and will be sent home in disgrace to ponder their futures, and what might have been. They'll have to contain Seattle's rookie sensation Earl Thomas, as well as veterans Lofa Tatupu and Lawyer Milloy. Cutler will also be forced to play a bit more cautiously, as cornerback Marcus Trufant will be lurking throughout the game, waiting for just one errant throw - which Cutler, who threw 16 interceptions (eighth-most in the league), is certainly prone to.

Sam's Prediction: Seattle surprises the nation again, as Cutler is reduced to a near non-factor by the surging Seattle defense, spending more time on the turf than on his feet, and throwing three picks to further pad the Seattle secondary's stats. Final score: 24-13.

Tomorrow: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets