Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks: NFL Week 12 Picks
By Erik Lambert
Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets running back Thomas Rawls (34) back on the sideline after Rawls scored a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Two teams that have had split personalities much of the 2015 season. The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers have looked like contenders at one point and then pretenders at others. Now they meet to test each other on which label they should wear going into December.
Backdrop:
For a cross-conference matchup between NFC and AFC teams, this game has a ton riding on it in playoff implications for both the Seahawks and Steelers. Seattle is ranked 8th in the conference at 5-5, which means they’re on the outside looking in. They need a win to stay in the hunt.
Pittsburgh is clinging to the fifth spot at the moment at 6-4, but the Chiefs, Texans, Bills and Jets are all lurking right behind them. The last thing they can afford is a loss and fall back into the pack. Especially with Kansas City holding a tiebreaker over them.
Matchup to Watch:
WR Antonio Brown vs. CB Richard Sherman
This may be the showdown of the entire NFL season. Arguably the best wide receiver in football goes against arguably the best cornerback. One in Antonio Brown is quick and fast, the other in Richard Sherman is long and physical. Both are being relied upon to have their best games in what might be the most critical game of the season.
Expect this to come down to how much Ben Roethlisberger trusts Brown against Sherman.
Key Stat:
Seattle is a running team and that doesn’t figure to change. They are best in the NFL, averaging 148.6 yards per game. However, don’t expect Pittsburgh to surrender willingly. Their run defense has been quite tough this season, allowing just 93 yards per game.
It may end up coming down to Russell Wilson throwing the ball against a questionable secondary. Despite the addition of Jimmy Graham, the Seahawks passing game remains little more than serviceable. On the other hand, Pittsburgh has been generous to opponents through the air.
Prediction: Seahawks win 30-24
Their once vaunted home field advantage hasn’t had the same effect as recent years, but the Seahawks are still dangerous under the watch of the 12th man. Roethlisberger won’t have the same mobility due to injury. If Pittsburgh can’t run the ball it’s hard seeing them being able to sustain drives with Sherman shadowing Brown.