New England has a much easier road to Santa Clara. Currently
the top seed in the AFC, the Pats get a bye and could have two home games on the way to the
Super Bowl. It's going to be tough for the
Seahawks to make it there because they'll be on the road all the way through the playoffs.
The timing is bad for the
Patriots with
all of their injuries. Seattle is finding a rhythm at the right time, which is what the 'Hawks have done the last couple of years when they've gone to the
Super Bowl. The offense is clicking,
Russell Wilson is playing arguably the best football of his career and the defense once again is playing like the Legion of Boom we're used to seeing.
New England has the easier road. Even though the
Patriots
lost to the Broncos earlier in the season, I don't think
Tom Brady will lose that potential matchup at home in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Seattle has to go through two of the best teams -- Carolina and Arizona --
both of which they've already lost to. It's going to be really tough for the
Seahawks to get back.
Even though the
Seahawks have to go on the road in the playoffs and win three games, I'd say Seattle.
Russell Wilson is playing at an MVP level
over the last five weeks, and the defense is finding its rhythm and identity. Poring over the matchups of the teams the 'Hawks could face in the playoffs, I don't see one opponent Seattle would fear.
New England is a better team right now. Even with all the adversity the
Patriots have faced, they have found ways to win. Seattle's playoff road will be tough because
the NFC is stacked with good teams. The
Seahawks could weather the storm against Carolina, Arizona and possibly Green Bay at home, but I don't think they can beat those three teams on the road in a row.
