Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, Jan. 7 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Seahawks The Most-Likely Road-Winner?
Seattle's wild-card meeting with the Vikings is one of four playoff matchups set to take place this weekend, and even though the Seahawks are the road team, media circles like their chances of emerging from the postseason's first round with a win.
Five former NFL players turned media analysts at NFL.com debated which road team has the best chance to come away with a win this weekend, and four of the five think the defending NFC champion Seahawks have what it takes to knock off the NFC North champion Vikings at University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, just as they did in Week 13 by a score of 38-7.
Outside of the Seahawks road game against the Vikings, the Kansas City Chiefs carry a 10-game win streak into Houston for a game against the Texans, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Cincinnati for a game against the division rival Bengals, and the Green Bay Packers visit Washington, D.C. for a game against the Redskins.
Here's what a couple of those former players had to say about the Seahawks' chances in Sunday's wild-card game:
Nate Burleson: Russell Wilson will carry the Seahawks to the Divisional Round
Wilson is playing lights out, with 24 touchdown passes against one interception in his last seven games. From an efficiency standpoint, he's not turning the ball over, and the Seahawks' offense is the most confident offense out there right now. Their defense, which has been their strength the last couple of years, is back to rare form. They can stop any team that's equipped to run or pass the ball, as we've seen in the last half of the season. I also believe they have the strongest rotation of defensive linemen. It's going to be tough for Teddy Bridgewater to move the ball if they put pressure on him.
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Bucky Brooks: Bridgewater will have a tough time against Seattle's stout defense
The Seahawks have a championship pedigree and are undaunted when playing any other team in the NFC. It's a really good matchup for them. The Seahawks can stop the run. If Teddy Bridgewater struggles to push the ball down the field, that'll play right into the hands of the defense. Seattle's defense will challenge the Vikings' receivers and dare Minnesota's young quarterback to fit the ball into tight spots. When I look at it, I see them rolling through the Vikings and into the Divisional Round.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Seahawks coach @PeteCarroll, who congratulates former Seattle Mariners centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr. on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle says Minnesota's frigid weather isn't going to be a factor for the Seahawks, recaps the Vikings' mindset heading into Sunday's matchup after their Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, and reviews the boost Seattle is receiving with the return of running back Marshawn Lynch, who was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.
Here's four things we learned from coach Pete Carroll's Wednesday press conference about the Vikings, Seattle's opponent this weekend.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett, named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week yesterday, has also been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December/January.
The Seahawks and Vikings were subjects of late-night host Jimmy Fallon's latest NFL superlatives segment.
The Midwest Sea Hawkers are hosting a fan gathering this Saturday in Minneapolis in advance of Sunday's wild-card matchup.
Two Seahawks highlights are up for 'Play of the Year' voting at NFL.com.
Chris Wesseling at NFL.com has a detailed preview of Sunday's Seahawks-Vikings wild-card game.
Adam Schein at NFL.com says the Seahawks defense has something to prove this postseason.
At TheMMQB.com, musician John Legend makes Tyler Lockett his pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Nick Patterson at the Everett Herald says the Seahawks and Vikings expect a different game this time around.
And Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com revisits cornerback Richard Sherman's rise to fame.
The Seahawks play their 11th wild-card game in franchise history this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. This gallery throws you back to each of the Seahawks' previous 10 wild-card games, including their first-ever playoff game in 1983 facing the Denver Broncos and their most recent in 2012 versus the Washington Redskins.
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2000, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna (7) scrambles away from Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas (54) during the third quarter of their AFC wild card playoff game in Seattle. Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash., has called a news conference Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, to introduce Kitna as the school's new football coach. Kitna is a graduate of the school who was recently hired as a math teacher after his 15-year career as an NFL quarterback. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Miami Dolphins J.J. Johnson (32) dives between Seattle Seahawks Jay Bellamy (20) and Cortez Kennedy to score the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run during the fouth quarter of the AFC wild card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. Miami won 20-17. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino looks for a receiver downfield a toss against the Seattle Seahawks in their AFC wild card playoff game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 in Seattle. Marino, who was 17-of-30 for 196 yards and one touchdown pass, led the Dolphins to a 20-17. win (AP Photo/Matt Wallis)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson (81) runs a pass pattern as Green Bay Packers defensive back Mike McKenzie (34) in pass coverage during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks players tackle a Green Bay Packer Player during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green (30) runs with the football during a Wild Card NFL Football Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on January 4, 2004. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 33-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and his daughters, Blake, 6, and Peyton, 10, sign copies of a children's book authored by Bennett and his wife Pele titled 'Three Little Monsters Have a Wild Day'
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and his daughters, Blake, 6, and Ollie, 3, sign copies of a children's book authored by Bennett and his wife Pele titled 'Three Little Monsters Have a Wild Day'
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ronald Blair works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones works with youth at Michael Bennett's youth camp in Hawaii.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
