SPORTS
Friday, January 8, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 3B
NFL
Seahawks defense peaking at right time
By TIM BOOTH
Associated Press
NFL’s stingiest D
different ways, whether
handing the ball off, or
Pts Allowed
getting him screens or
277
checking it down to him,”
RENTON, Wash. — The 1, Seahawks
279
Seattle linebacker Bobby
questions and concerns 2, Bengals
287
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that dogged the Seattle 3, Chiefs
Broncos
296
feel like he’s going to try to
Seahawks’ vaunted defense 4,
5, Vikings
302
have a bigger presence in this
in September and October 6, Panthers
308
game.”
were silenced by the end of T7, Texans
313
Getting
the
scoring
the season.
T7, Cardinals
313
defense title was particularly
That’s
because
the 9, Jets
314
important,
but
seemed
Seahawks
accomplished 10, Patriots
315
unlikely going into the
something that hadn’t been
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done since the 1950s.
having allowed 16 to Balti-
Seattle
heads
into will be a new, but somewhat
PRUH LQ LWV ¿QDOH HDUOLHU LQ
Sunday’s wild-card game easier task for the Seahawks
the day, the Seahawks could
at Minnesota on a roll defense. After playing all
give up only eight points to
defensively. The pinnacle of their NFC playoff games at
Arizona to at least share the
their late-season success was home the past two seasons,
scoring title.
holding Arizona to six points the Seahawks will be exclu-
Enter DeShawn Shead
LQ WKH UHJXODUVHDVRQ ¿QDOH sively on the road this time
with the Seahawks holding
to end up leading the NFL in around where it’s far easier
a 36-6 lead in the closing
scoring defense for the fourth for Seattle to communicate
minutes and Arizona deep in
straight season. According on the defensive side.
“Maybe we focus better
Seattle’s end.
WR67$766HDWWOHLVWKH¿UVW
The
Seahawks
had
team since the Cleveland on the road, I don’t know
already gotten one break
Browns (1953-57) to lead what it is. I just think we’re a
when Chandler Catanzaro’s
the league in scoring defense better road team than we are a
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
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in four or more consecutive home team this year,” Seattle
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25)
linebacker Bruce Irvin said.
seasons.
a stop against the Arizona Cardinals during RIWKH¿UVWKDOIKLWWKHXSULJKW
Seattle also led the league celebrates
2YHUWKH¿QDO¿YHJDPHV
the irst half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, and ricocheted back onto
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of the season, the Seahawks in rush defense at 81.5 yards 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
from the Seattle 12 with
allowed only 55 total points. per game, giving up the
And two of the touchdowns exact same amount of yards GLI¿FXOWWU\LQJWRVORZGRZQ season, holding him to 18 5:25 left, the Cardinals opted
scored during that time were it did a season ago when the Adrian Peterson, who led yards on eight carries in to go for it rather than kick
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special teams and defensive Seahawks were third-best the NFL with 1,485 yards Week 13.
in the league at stopping the rushing this season.
“You can’t expect a guy Drew Stanton’s forced pass
scores by their opponents.
But Seattle’s already like that to get eight touches was intercepted by Shead,
However long this post- UXQ 7KHLU ¿UVW WDVN LQ WKH
season run lasts for Seattle, it playoffs could be their most stopped Peterson once this DJDLQ7KH\¶UH JRLQJ WR ¿QG igniting a huge celebration
on the Seahawks sideline.
“I was not aware at all.
I heard them talking on the
sideline in the fourth quarter
about it but I didn’t really
pay no mind to it until I got
the interception and I came
back to the sideline and
Earl (Thomas) and (Richard
Sherman) came up to me and
were like, ‘Thank you, you
saved the record,”’ Shead
said. “I didn’t realize until
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interception was. For my
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possible defensive drive in
the regular season it could
not have come at a better
time. It’s a great feeling to
know that I have legitimately
been part of history.”
Sherman was completely
aware of what was at stake.
He knew even before the
game started how much the
Seahawks could afford to
allow.
“It’s cool. I think it means
we’re consistent in what we
do. We’re really diligent
in our preparation, and all
our hard work has come
to fruition,” Sherman said.
“Everything we’ve wanted
and everything we’ve tried,
strived to do has come to
fruition. We appreciate
seeing the fruits of our labor.”
(YHU\1)&WHDPKDVIDWDOÀDZEXWDOVRPDMRUUHDVRQVIRUKRSH
just four times this season. If they
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formula featuring Adrian Peterson
implodes and protecting Bridge-
Carolina didn’t make it to the
water behind a so-so O-line gets
playoffs perfect, and maybe that’s a
harder. Exhibit A: their 38-7 home
good thing as they rest and recali-
loss to Seattle a month ago.
brate for the playoffs.
—”We’re excited about the
Arizona fended off Seattle,
opportunity to play those guys again
which came storming back from a
in our house. They embarrassed us
stumbling start.
the last time we played them.” —
The Vikings overtook the
wide receiver Mike Wallace, on
Packers in the North but Green Bay
facing the Seahawks again.
reached the playoffs once again,
4. REDSKINS:
and the Redskins capitalized on a
—Why they’ll hoist the
bad division and a good quarterback
AP Photo/Chuck
Lombardi: Believe it or not, Kirk
decision to return to the postseason
Burton
Cousins. The fourth-year QB is
party.
playing the best football of his
Each of the half-dozen NFC
teams still standing have reason to weeks with their pass rush and lost other QB. If Arizona can’t run, career at the most opportune time
EHOLHYHWKH\¶OOSXWWKHLU¿QJHUSULQWV starting cornerback Charles Tillman the O-line could be overwhelmed — heading into the playoffs and
on the Lombardi Trophy next for the season in Week 17 to a torn by the pass rush. Pressuring the heading into free agency. He led
month. But each also has a major ACL. Tillman is the second corner- opposing quarterback, especially the NFL in completion percentage
ÀDZWKDWFRXOGGHUDLOWKRVHGUHDPV back to suffer a season-ending without a blitz, has been a problem. DWUDQNHG¿IWKLQSDVVHUUDWLQJ
The mid-season addition of Dwight at 101.6, set a franchise mark with
The NFC gets going Sunday injury in the last week.
²´:H¿QGRXUHGJHLQSOD\LQJ Freeney helps, but he’s not an 4,166 passing yards, and threw for
when the Seahawks (10-6) visit the
23 TDs and only 3 INTs over the
Vikings (11-5). Then, the Redskins in front of our home crowd. Every- every-down disruptive force.
—”It brings some guys down last 10 games.
thing feels just right. We don’t have
(9-7) host the Packers (10-6).
—Why they won’t: This team
The Panthers (15-1) and Cardi- to travel to a hostile environment.” to earth and get back to work.”
² 1HZWRQ RQ KDYLQJ KRPH¿HOG Palmer on the Cardinals’ 36-6 loss LV ÀDZHG LQ D QXPEHU RI ZD\V
nals (13-3) each earned a bye.
including a suspect running game
Here’s a look at the biggest advantage, and playing in a stadium to Seattle last week.
3. VIKINGS:
and a shaky defense. And if Wash-
strength and weakness of each of where they have won 11 in a row.
—Why they’ll host the ington beats Green Bay in the wild-
2. CARDINALS:
the six NFC playoff teams:
—Why they’ll hoist the Lombardi: Defense. With 14 sacks, FDUG URXQG LW ZRXOG EH WKH ¿UVW
1. PANTHERS:
—Why they’ll hoist the Lombardi: NFL’s best offense. seven takeaways and two touch- victory all season for the Redskins
Lombardi: Cam Newton. The Carson Palmer set franchise records downs over a three-game winning DJDLQVW D WHDP WKDW ¿QLVKHG DERYH
Panthers scored more points than for yards (4,671) and TDs (35). streak to close the regular season .500.
—”He’s been a great leader for
any team in the league this season Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown and win the NFC North, this group
behind the versatile Newton, a surpassed 1,000-yards receiving is in a groove. It’ll be even better us on offense. He’s exactly what
leading MVP candidate. He became and Fitzgerald’s 109 catches broke if nose tackle Linval Joseph, who we need right now. We’re going to
WKH¿UVW1)/TXDUWHUEDFNWRWKURZ the franchise mark he set a decade PLVVHG IRXU RI WKH ODVW ¿YH JDPHV NHHS¿JKWLQJEHKLQGKLP´²WLJKW
for 35 touchdowns and run for 10 ago. Rookie David Johnson has a with a toe injury, returns to the end Jordan Reed, speaking about
Cousins.
VFRUHVLQWKHEHVWVHDVRQRIKLV¿YH team-high 13 TDs and is a big-play lineup.
—Why they won’t: Iffy offense.
threat as both a runner and receiver.
5. PACKERS:
year career.
—Why they won’t: Protecting Teddy Bridgewater is 17-11 as a
—Why they’ll host the
—Why they won’t: Health. The
Panthers are struggling in recent their passer and pressuring the starter but he passed for 250 yards Lombardi: No one wants to face
By ARNIE STAPLETON
Associated Press
Carolina
Panthers’
Cam
Newton
throws
a pass
during
prac-
tice for
the NFL
football
team in
Charlotte,
N.C.,
Thursday.
Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs.
When healthy, the offensive line
is capable of opening holes for
bullish running back Eddie Lacy.
The defense and special teams have
been strengths for most of the year.
—Why they won’t: The offense
has been searching for consistency
all season, especially since they
were exposed by the Denver
Broncos on Nov. 1, sending them
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17 weeks are slim and injuries have
ravaged their O-line.
—”We’re 16 games in, so you
kind of are who you are, but we’ve
JRWWR¿QGDZD\WRSXWLWDOOWRJHWKHU
for four quarters.” — Rodgers.
6: SEAHAWKS:
—Why they’ll hoist the
Lombardi: Russell Wilson is hot
and Marshawn Lynch is back from
abdominal surgery. The two-time
defending NFC champs know what
it takes to win in the playoffs even
if they have to hit the road to do it.
They’ve won six of seven, including
all three road games. Wilson has 24
TD passes and one interception in
that streak.
—Why they won’t: St. Louis
showed the blueprint for stopping
the Seahawks with its Week 16 win
in Seattle. The Rams hounded him,
dominated the line of scrimmage
and disrupted the entire Seahawks
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at Minnesota in frigid conditions
and, if it wins, at Carolina, both for
early West Coast starts.
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we can go wherever we got to go,”
coach Pete Carroll.
AFC playoff squads have glaring imperfections to overcome
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IRUWKH¿UVWWLPHLQIUDQFKLVH
history. They led the league
DENVER — Each of the in sacks and were tops
NFL teams still standing has DJDLQVWWKHSDVVDQG¿QLVKHG
reason to believe confetti, a 33 yards shy of being best
nice parade and some really against the run, too.
—Why they won’t: Their
big rings are headed their
way. Each also knows the O-line can’t protect the
locker room clean-out could passer, whether it’s Peyton
Manning or Brock Osweiler.
come this month.
The AFC gets wild-card Tyler Polumbus replaced
weekend started Saturday reeling right tackle Michael
when the Kansas City 6FKR¿HOG ZKHQ 0DQQLQJ
Chiefs (11-5) ride a 10-game supplanted Osweiler on
winning streak into Houston Sunday, and cracked that
to face J.J. Watt and the he thought the crowd was
Texans (9-7), who upended cheering for him. It should
the injury-ravaged Indianap- have been. He kept Manning
upright and keeps the job.
olis Colts to win the South.
—”As long as this foot-
Then, the Pittsburgh
Steelers (10-6), who slinked ball team is winning games,
into the playoffs when the shoot, I don’t care who’s
New York Jets stumbled playing quarterback.” —
against Buffalo last weekend, Brock Osweiler.
2. PATRIOTS:
visit longtime adversary
—Why they’ll hoist the
Cincinnati,
where
the
Bengals (12-4) are seeking Lombardi: Tom Brady and
WKHLU ¿UVW SOD\RII ZLQ LQ D Bill Belichick. The four-time
Super Bowl-winning coach
quarter-century.
Denver (12-4), which is and quarterback know what
knee-deep in a quarterback it takes to win it all. With a
quandary, and New England healthy Rob Gronkowski,
(12-4), with a hobbled quar- nothing else matters. Plus,
terback, get the weekend off. they’re still mad about that
Here’s a look at the thing with the air in the
biggest strength and weak- footballs during last year’s
ness of each of the six AFC playoffs.
—Why they won’t: Well,
playoff teams:
something else matters.
1. BRONCOS:
—Why they’ll hoist The offensive line has been
the Lombardi: Dominant VKXIÀHG WKURXJK LQMXULHV
defense.
The
Broncos leaving Brady vulnerable.
By ARNIE STAPLETON
Associated Press
AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File
In this Sept. 27, 2015, ile photo, Denver Broncos quar-
terbacks Peyton Manning (18) and Brock Osweiler (17)
get ready for the Broncos’ NFL football game against
the Detroit Lions in Detroit.
The receivers and running
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deep among their backups.
— “It isn’t really important
how one year relates to
another year or some other
game or some other season
from way back when. What
difference does it make?” —
Bill Belichick on whether the
team’s injury problems have
made this path to the playoffs
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3. BENGALS:
—Why they’ll host the
Lombardi: Defense wins
championships, and the
Bengals have one of their best
ever. It yielded the fewest
points in franchise history
and led the AFC in fewest
points allowed. Vontaze
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from knee surgery, Carlos
Dunlap had 13 1-2 sacks and
Geno Atkins added 11.
—Why they won’t: Quar-
terback, whoever it is. Andy
Dalton broke his right thumb
on Dec. 13 and it looks like
AJ McCarron will get the
nod. Although the Alabama
alum has had some big-game
experience on Saturdays, the
NFL is another animal. He
was 2-1 as the starter, but
showed his lack of experi-
ence at times.
—”We’ve been there
before. It’s time to right the
ship. You know — exorcism.”
— Coach Marvin Lewis.
4. TEXANS:
—Why they’ll hoist the
Lombardi: J.J. Watt. With
his NFL-best 17 1-2 sacks,
he joined Reggie White as
the only players with 15-sack
seasons in three of their
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on strong down the stretch,
allowing just 12.7 points
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Whitney Mercilus had a
career-high 12 sacks, and
Jadeveon Clowney is healthy
and disruptive again.
—Why they won’t: Lack
of an elite QB. Houston has
played musical chairs with
the quarterbacks all season,
starting — and winning — with
four different players. Brian
Hoyer is back in the starting
role but the 30-year-old has
been a backup for most of
his seven-year career. They
haven’t really replaced Arian
Foster since he got hurt, and
they lost left tackle Duane
Brown to a season-ending
thigh injury Sunday.
—”This is do or die, so
guys’ attention is a little
higher than it would normally
be.” — wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins.
5. CHIEFS:
—Why they’ll hoist
the Lombardi: Because
they’ve already established
themselves
as
miracle
workers. After a 1-5 start,
they won a franchise-record
10 consecutive games to
reach the playoffs. They did
it with a ferocious pass rush
— All-Pro linebacker Justin
Houston should be back
from a knee injury — and a
balanced, versatile offense
that rarely makes mistakes.
—Why
they
won’t:
Their luck has to run out
eventually. They won a series
of close games during their
remarkable winning streak,
taking advantage of a soft late
schedule. But there are no soft
opponents in the playoffs.
—”I couldn’t honestly
care less about what anybody
says outside of this locker
room. We know that when
we line up against anybody,
ZH¶UH FRQ¿GHQW WKDW ZH¶UH
going to get the job done.”
tight end Travis Kelce.
6: STEELERS:
—Why they’ll hoist the
Lombardi: They have Antonio
Brown and Ben Roethlis-
berger and you don’t. Brown
caught 136 passes for 1,834
yards and 10 touchdowns,
numbers that could have been
even better if Roethlisberger
hadn’t missed a month with
a sprained left knee. Forget
that no receiver has ever won
the honor, Denver coach Gary
Kubiak said he’d vote for
Brown as MVP.
—Why they won’t: An
all-or-nothing defense. The
Steelers posted their most
sacks (47) and interceptions
(17) since 2010, when they
won the AFC title. The
problem? When they aren’t
getting to the quarterback,
they’re not doing much.
3LWWVEXUJK ¿QLVKHG WK
against the pass.