Monday Night Football: Prediction For Seahawks at Redskins
By Erik Lambert
Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Seahawks won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Prime-time games have been a mixed bag in 2014 and it looks that way again for Monday Night Football between the Seahawks and Redskins.
Subplots
Kirk Cousins losing last realistic chance to start
There was a brief window in Washington where it looked like backup Kirk Cousins might just have a chance to do the impossible and steal the starting job from Robert Griffin III. Following an ugly four-INT game against the Giants, that window is closing rapidly and few teams are better at shattering feel-good stories in the NFL than the Seahawks. Cousins will have to play the game of his life in order to keep that hope of becoming a starter alive.
Key Matchup
Justin Britt against Ryan Kerrigan
Run blocking is something Justin Britt came into Seattle doing very well but the young tackle continues to struggle protecting his quarterback. So to say he will have to go against linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, who is on a tear of late with five sacks in four games could be one of the matchups that could turn this game into a huge upset. For all the great things the Seahawks do, protecting Russell Wilson remains their most bothersome.
Fantasy Football Players To Watch
Niles Paul – TE
The Seattle Seahawks defense has very few weaknesses to attack. However one that has become more pronounced of late is a vulnerability in stopping tight ends in coverage. Antonio Gates made them look silly in San Diego and then Julius Thomas had some success for the Broncos two weeks ago. The Washington Redskins have been getting a lot of help in their passing game from surprising reserve Niles Paul who has 21 catches for 313 yards in four games.
Ricardo Lockette – WR
Every so often a team comes across a certain player who isn’t a regular contributor but maybe three or four times per game turns in a big play out of nowhere. That is what Ricardo Lockette has become for the Seahawks. He isn’t targeted often but when he is it always results in something huge. He currently averages 25 yards per catch and has two touchdowns, topping both Percy Harvin and Doug Baldwin. Facing a weakened Redskins secondary, he could be in store for a big night.
Pick: SEA 35, WSH 13
Kirk Cousins had the bulk of his success this season against bad defenses. Seattle does not have a bad defense. Washington however does, and Russell Wilson will make quick work of them with help from the ever reliable Marshawn Lynch under the lights of Monday Night Football.