WHODATINCA

I knew these teams were fairly equally matched. I wanted to know if there were any glaring differences? I wanted to see how they compared by the numbers. I know that numbers don't tell the whole story, but it was a fun exercise nonetheless. Here is the comparison so far:

QUARTERBACK.............ATT......COMP......PCT........YDS......AVG......YDS/G......LONG
Drew Brees.................439.......300.........68.3........3647.....8.3......317.3........69
Russell Wilson..............275.......176.........64........2362......8.6......198.3........80

QUARTERBACK.............TD......TD%......INT......INT%....SACK...YDSL
Drew Brees.................28.......6.4.........8........1.8.......23.......157
Russell Wilson..............19.......6.9.........6........2.2......29.......181

Summary: We pass more and, naturally, score many more TDs thru the air. Drew is more accurate and is intercepted less. Wilson is sacked a bit more.

OFFENSE Receiving
.........................NO.......SEA
Yards / Game.......331.5....227
YAC...................1627......1180
1st Downs...........168.......110
20+....................45.........40
TD......................28........20
Total Yards..........3647.....2497
Avg....................12.2.......13.6

Summary: One surprise here is our YAC which is substantially better. We make more first downs passing, they make more on the ground.

OFFENSE Rushing
.........................NO.......SEA
Yards / Game.......97.7.....147.9
1st Downs...........64........90
20+....................4.........10
TD......................7........11
Total Yards..........1075....1627
Avg.....................3.9......4.5

Summary: Not surprisingly run defense will be important. [*see Skittles] Total yards for air & ground: 4722 NO vs 4124.

DEFENSE
.........................NO.......SEA
Sacks.................37........33
Tackles for Loss....21........24
Sack Yards Lost....235......223
Interceptions........10........16
Pick 6 ..................0..........2
Yds on Intercep.....163......293
Forced Fumbles......15.......15
Recov. Fumbles.......7........10
Blocked Kicks..........0........1
Passes Defended.....50.......53
Yds Allowed..........305.4.....293.3
Pts. Allowed..........17.8.....16.3
Pass YDA.............198.0.....180.4
Run YDA..............111.9......112.9
Turnover Ratio.......+4..........+11
%3rd Down Conv.....34.3......37.8

Summary: This is where the numbers start getting interesting. They have 6 more interceptions than we do -- and massive yards off those interceptions. They are recovering a few more fumbles too. Interestingly, the Legion of Boom only has 3 more passes defended than we do. I would have thought that number would be worse. We have 4 more sacks and Wilson has been sacked 6 times more than Drew. Can you say Cam and Junyah?!!!

Also, our defense ranks 4th in % Third Downs Converted, while Seattle ranks 18th. And, the news is even better on 4th down. Hey, in this type game, it's the little things that matter.

Next up receiving and kicking game.....

Enjoy,
WHODATINCA

Shutdown defense in 2017 = Championship!

SaintSproles

Great work with the numbers.

Russell Wilson is getting sacked at an alarming rate of 9.5 %.

As a reference point, as badly as we think we have protected Brees this season, he has been sacked roughly half the time that Russell has, at a 5.0 % clip.

The bottom line to this game besides the obvious turnover battle comes down to the run game. Can we do what we did to San Francisco and Frank Gore (comparable run game to Seattle's) and make Seattle more one dimensional, pinning our ears back against a QB who has been sacked way too often? Secondly, can we continue our upward trend of running the ball successfully and help our play action hit some big shots downfield ("showtime")? Otherwise, we will be dinking and dunking which allows for more opportunities for an interception.

Last 3 games rushing for the Saints, our running backs only (trending):

Dallas......... 36-244, 6.8 avg
San Fran..... 20-90,. 4.5 avg
Atlanta....... 20-109, 5.5 avg

Total.......... 76-443, 5.8 avg

Teams have shown that the Seahawks are vulnerable to stopping the run, much like the Saints have been at various times throughout the season. Will Sean Payton go all in with a balanced attack, or does he get pass happy for a Monday Night nationally televised game ("showtime")?

A game plan like we had vs Chicago would serve us well and most certainly give us our best chance at victory.

Sean, you have a great defense, trust it. You can win a 20-17 type game. You just proved it against Atlanta.

AlaskaSaints

Great work, fellas.

If it's 20-17, either way, for the last three minutes of this game, I won't live to see us win another Super Bowl.

<--- THREE Bayer Aspirins.

Alaska

Schmohams

Key to the game is stoping Lynch from running all over us, if we do that and can score on offence, force Wilson to pass and Sack City comes to town. Make him see ghosts and win the game. I have a good feeling about this game. Geaux Saints!

WHODATINCA

Now, for the receiver and kicking game comparison:

TOP RECEIVERS COMPARISON
NO...................REC....TAR.....YDS......AVG......TD......LONG.......20+
Jimmy Graham.....65......99......946......14.6......11.......56...........14
Marques Colsto....43......61......569......13.2......2........31...........9
Kenny Stills.........22......38......470......21.4......4........69...........5
Darren Sproles.....48......59......463......9.6........2........48...........5

NO........................YDS/G......FUM......FUML......YAC..........1DN
Jimmy Graham...........86...........0..........0..........275............46
Marques Colston........56.9........0..........0..........141............30
Kenny Stills...............42.7........0..........0..........124............18
Darren Sproles...........46.3........0..........0..........375............19

SEA........................REC......TAR.......YDS.......AVG.......TD.....LONG....20+
Golden Tate..............42.......67.........600.......14.3.......4.........80.......9
Doug Baldwin.............36.......50.........586.......16.3.......3.........51......12
Zach Miller................22.......34.........248.......11.3.......3.........34.......2
Jermaine Kearse.........13.......20.........246.......18.9.......4.........43.......5
Notable
Marshawn Lynch........24.......30..........222.......9.3........2..........55......3

SEA........................YDS/G....FUM....FUML.......YAC.......1DN
Golden Tate..............54.5.......0.........0...........380........26
Doug Baldwin.............53.3.......0.........0..........187.........26
Zach Miller................27.6.......0.........0...........77..........13
Jermaine Kearse.........22.4.......0.........0...........36...........9
Notable
Marshawn Lynch........20.2.......0..........0..........212..........8

Summary: Jimmy Graham is a monster. Nobody fumbles. Skittles and Tate need to be tackled immediately.

KICKING....................FIELD GOALS...............................EXTRA POINTS
NAME.......................FGM.....FGA.......PCT.....LONG........XPM........XPA........PCT
Garrett Hartley...........20........26........76.9......55...........35........35...........100
Steven Hauschka........24........25........96........53...........32........32............100

Summary: Garrett Hartley needs to get his mind right ( but we knew that ).

Shutdown defense in 2017 = Championship!

Hawkscanner

As far as the numbers are concerned, you've got to be a bit careful in using them to interpret who the Seahawks have been and who they are as a team right now. If you'd like to engage in some good pregame conversation from a guy who's followed this team for 30+ years and have questions about the Hawks and what you're likely to see on Sunday, come on over ...

http://blackandgold.com/nfl/62213-q-...hawks-fan.html

Michigan_SF

Early line number: Saints +4

saintfan

I believe our run defense is absolutely the key to this game.

Danno

Maybe, I think the key to this game is the ever obvious turnover battle.

Whoever wins the turnover battle wins this game.

Seattle leads the NFC in TO margin, so we have our work cut out for us.

I think if we played Seattle 10 times in a home & home, it would end up 5-5.

hagan714

DEFENSE wins this game.