Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Wednesday, Jan. 6 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
What Are Seattle's Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses?
Heading into the postseason, former NFL defensive back turned NFL.com media analyst Bucky Brooks took time to break down the strengths and weaknesses of each playoff team.
His assessment of the NFC obviously includes a look at the Seahawks (10-6), who hold the No. 6 and final seed in the conference and will face the NFC North champion and No. 3-seeded Vikings (11-5) in a wild-card matchup this Sunday at Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.
Here's what Brooks had to say about Seattle as it readies for its first road playoff game since 2012:
Biggest strengths: For all of the questions regarding the Seahawks' defense in the middle of the season, the unit remains the stingiest in the NFL. The Seahawks not only have the top scoring defense (17.3 points allowed per game), but they have the top run defense (81.5 rushing yards allowed per game) and the second-ranked pass defense (210.2 passing yards allowed per game). While the numbers certainly jump off the stat sheet, it has been the complementary play of the front seven and secondary that makes the Seahawks' defense a destructive force heading into the playoffs. From Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin wreaking havoc off the edges to Bobby Wagner pummeling opponents venturing over the middle to the "Legion of Boom" suffocating pass catchers down the field, the Seahawks trot out a dynamic defense that ranks as the best in the NFL.
Biggest weaknesses: Offensive line coach Tom Cable has worked miracles reshaping the Seahawks' line on the fly, but the unit remains a weakness on a team loaded with all-stars. The front line has struggled creating a consistent push on the ground, and its inconsistent pass protection has forced quarterback Russell Wilson to run around like a madman on the perimeter. Although the unit has shown significant improvement down the stretch, the Seahawks will have to work around the front line's flaws to make a sustained run in the postseason.
You can find Brooks' thoughts on the rest of the NFC right here and click here for his thoughts on the AFC playoff picture.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Vulcan, Inc., which shares a memorable - and entertaining - moment in Seahawks history on what was #NationalBirdDay in the social-media world.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle doles out team honors for the fourth quarter of the regular season and answers questions about the Seahawks, the extreme cold expected in Sunday's wild-card game at Minnesota, and more in his weekly Twitter Q&A with fans.
Wideout Tyler Lockett has been named NFC Special Teams Player of Week 17 for what he did in the Seahawks' 36-6 win over the Cardinals.
It's been a busy week around the rest of the NFC West, with the Rams filing for relocation and the 49ers searching for a new head coach while the Cardinals enjoy a first-round playoff bye.
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin shares his personal review of the Seahawks' 2015 regular season and cornerback Richard Sherman says the Seahawks are focused on the postseason.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times details the relationship between Doug Baldwin and Seahawks Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent. Condotta also previews Sunday's wild-card matchup with Vikings reporter Mark Craig, who covers the team for the Star Tribune in Minnesota.
Matt Calkins at the Seattle Times comments on how Seattle got back to playing "Seahawks football" after a slow start.
Gregg Bell at the Tacoma News Tribune outlines what to know about the Vikings, Seattle's opponent this Sunday.
Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com points out that momentum isn't everything heading into the postseason.
Brady Henderson at 710Sports.com highlights the play of offensive guard Mark Glowinski and tight end Chase Coffman, backups who each saw extended playing time in this past Sunday's win over Arizona while subbing for injured starters.
And Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com wonders if the Seahawks still have a Super Bowl caliber defense.
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 *
