Posted on 1/11/2008 11:03:55 AM

NFL Playoff Betting – Seahawks Fly Back to Green Bay

By Russell Edward

The Seattle defense showed last week that they are the main reason why the Seahawks were able to win the weakest division in football and make it to the second round of the playoffs, but what can their offense do to help them win on the road at Lambeau Field, where quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and coach Mike Holmgren are old, familiar faces? The oddsmakers at the BetUS sportsbook don’t seem to give them much of a chance to keep up with the Packers, as they have the visitors listed as eight-point dogs on the NFL betting line for the game.

Seattle Seahawks +8 at Green Bay Packers –8

For some inexplicable reason that we can only assume has something to do with either money or pride, Shaun Alexander keeps getting more carries than his backup running back Maurice Morris, even though Morris has been playing better all season. Between the two of them last week, they averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and picked up just 77 yards on the ground. Still, that was all they needed to do in order to keep the Skins defense honest and they’ll be looking to accomplish the same goal this Saturday in Green Bay.

Key to a Seattle win will be the battle of the trenches. The Seahawks offensive line must be at the top of their game this weekend if they are going to be able to even come close to replicating the success they had last week against a Redskins defensive line that is not nearly as good as what they will face from the Packers. Look for the Hawks to run at DE Gbaja-Biamila to take advantage to his relative lack of physicality at the point of attack. For the Seahawks to be successful on the ground, they will have to give Morris more touches, as he is playing much more physical and faster than his starting counterpart. It appears, however, as if the Seattle play callers are unaware of this fact.

NFL Divisional Playoffs: Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 4:30 EST

Hasselbeck has been playing very good ball, but will need a running game if he is going to be able to beat the Packers with his play actions, something he excels at when given the opportunity. He and his O-line will have to use the silent count to perfection if they are to negate somewhat the home-field advantage had by the Packers.

Those of us who bet on the NFL know that eight points is a lot to cover, especially when you get to this level of the postseason. If you take Seattle, you must be convinced that Shaun Alexander is going to start playing like he cares again, and he could; he has proven that in the past. Although there is never a sure thing in football betting, one thing you can be sure of is that you’ll win big if you guess right on Alexander this Saturday.

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