How the West Was Won

Again, and again, and again, and again.

The Seahawks clinched their 4th consecutive NFC West Divisional title yesterday with a 42-21 beat-down of the Cardinals (and the game wasn't as close as the score would lead you to believe) and the uncomfortable coughing you heard yesterday was that of the so-called experts who predicted that the Cardinals would win the division this year. The same folks who said the 49ers were primed to win it last year. The Seahawks finished their divisional series with a 5-1 record and were just a single botched handoff away from running the table on their divisional foes for the second time in three years.

Looking ahead, the Seahawks have three games against east-coast teams, all of which have spent much of the season doing their best doormat impersonations. It's on the road to Carolina next week, then home for Baltimore, then back on the road to Atlanta. There is still the chance for a first-round bye if they win these three and Green Bay loses their final three games, but that's highly unlikely. Green Bay should win 2 of their final games barring a catastrophe.

So that means the Seahawks, in all likelihood, will be the 3rd seed in the NFC this year and hosting the second Wildcard team which, as of now, will be the Vikings. Frankly, I'd much rather see us play the Giants or, although unlikely, even the Cardinals again. The Giants will lose in week 17 against the Patriots and should they lose one other game they'll likely fall below the Vikings in the standings and become the 6th seed. They have the most sacks in the league, but the Seahawks are close behind, ranked second. Seattle is also ranked second in interceptions. And we all know how Eli tends to forget which team to throw it to. I'm a whole lot more confident in the Seahawks ability to manhandle the Giants than the Vikings. But I'm still hoping Arizona somehow slips in for that 6th seed. That'd be as good as a 1st round bye. Oh, and before you write me to tell me the Giants are 6-1 on the road, remember that the Giants also had 11 false start penalties the last time they played in Seattle.

And speaking of the Cardinals, the Seattle Times ran a commentary from an Arizona Republic sportswriter about yesterday's game. I'll tell you what; no amount of home-town reporting can make you feel as good about your team's performance as reading the demoralized criticism from the opposing team's columnists. You can read the loser's point of view here.

Lastly, Kristin and I just want to thank the NFL for taking our busy schedules into consideration and for pairing the under-performing Saints (minus Reggie Bush) against the hapless Atlanta Falcons (who are starting a QB who was selling insurance last year) tonight on MNF. For those of us without Tivo, we genuinely appreciate the week off and look forward to watching again in the future.