2013 NFL Playoffs: New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks Game Preview

New Orleans Saints	Saturday, January 11, 2014 - 2:35 PM MT			Seattle Seahawks
	AVG. YDS (RNK)	TEAM CATEGORY	AVG. YDS (RNK)
	307.4 (2nd)	Pass Off.	202.2 (26th)
	92.1 (25th)	Rush Off.	136.8 (4th)
	194.1 (2nd)	Pass Def.	172.0 (1st)
	111.6 (19th)	Rush Def.	101.6 (8th)
12-5	CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington			13-3
6th Seed	Spread: Seahawks -8			1st Seed

Personally, I am really looking forward to watching this game. For obvious reasons, the world is pounding the Seattle Seahawks like they are the second coming. Granted, its fed by the 34-7 destruction the Seahawks squad put on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in early December at this very same stadium.

Since then, the Seahawks have looked a bit more vulnerable and I've never been one to casually dismiss a Hall of Fame quarterback in the playoffs. I will be pulling hard for the Saints to take down the media darlings today, that is for sure! Win or lose, my gut says this game comes down to the wire.

Of course, that gut is fed by my personal disdain for everything Pete Carroll. The guy just seems to exude arrogance:

I think it's common knowledge and human nature that you would like to think it's going to be the same, but we know better than that. We need to respect this opportunity for what it is. It's a great championship matchup for us, and they're going to come loaded up and give us a great football game.

I know its wishful thinking to want the Seahawks to fail, but that's why we watch the game. There is little doubt the Saints want revenge/redemption out of this game. Sean Payton has likely lost plenty of sleep this week reliving the nightmare of their previous matchup.

The key I think will be to contain Russell Wilson. Stopping Marshawn Lynch is an obvious goal as well, but Wilson is like the dagger through the heart when he is able to escape for big gains. The Saints cannot allow that to happen again in this game.

As I stated previously, this game should - I hope - come down to the wire with Drew Brees and the Saints finding a way to exact revenge for the embarrassing defeat just five weeks ago.

Saints 23, Seahawks 20

Online streaming: Click here

SB Nation blogs: Canal Street Chronicles and Field Gulls