Keys to Victory @ Seattle

1. Stop Marshawn Lynch - The Patriots Defense could actually come out of this game looking like a top-10, borderline elite Defense. The biggest question mark with The Pats D is the secondary. Most would agree that their strength is against the run. First of all, Jerod Mayo 53 tackles through 5 games. Also, Vince Wilfork (325lbs) and Kyle Love (315lbs) can both play 2-gap technique like Nose Tackles. Unfortunately, Brandon Spikes (Q -#diarreahofthemouth) and Hightower (Q -hamstring) might be limited in this game. So, Ninkovich and Jones figure to be the X-factors. Setting the edge and not biting down on play-action (and losing containment) is a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it. Russell Wilson will start to hurt the Defense if Ninkovich and Jones are guessing wrong on play-action to Lynch.

2. Get Creative On Offense - Some people will say that The Patriots Offense is creative enough, and if anything McDaniels is too "creative." Seattle's Defense is fast and big and their talent to match-up athletically with The Patriots skilled players makes them dangerous. However, Pete Carroll has a tendency to stick with certain athletic match-ups that are "favorable." Brady may have a hard time finding his man because the bigger DBs will be jamming the WRs at the line. Likewise, Seattle has fast LBs that can keep up with Gronk and even Hernandez. The Patriots will need to figure out the match-up that works, or they need to create plays with tricks and gimmicks related to formations they've run earlier in the year. TE screen plays, Ridley at WR, some Aaron Hernandez RB action... who knows.

3. Make Wilson A Pocket Passer - Russell Wilson is a really good roll-out QB. He did it in college at NC State and but especially at Wisconsin where he won The Grise-Brees Big 10 Player of The Year Honors. Wilson must have had a tremendous training camp to eclipse Matt Flynn as the starter. However, Wilson has shown through 5 games that he does not feel comfortable with the speed or size of an NFL pocket (he's only 5'11"). He does nearly all of his damage when he's on the move. Although he's not a run-first QB, Wilson works best with simple reads. Likewise, Pete Carroll doesn't want Wilson to second-guess his reads, so he keeps him where he's comfortable. Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones need to make it difficult for Wilson to gain the edge while Love-Mayo-Wilfork hold down the inside. The Defense can live with Wilson tucking the ball for a run on the inside because it eliminates the passing threat. Keep him in the pocket, and force him to think run-first.

4. Field Position - There it is again, that 3rd phase of football that nobody likes to think about: Special Teams. Seriously though, in a contest where crowd noise is a huge factor, it doesn't help to be backed up by your own endzone where the crowd taunts you from 3 sides. Also, against a great Defense like Seattle, the Offense needs all the help it can get on return yardage. Moreover, Seattle's Offense is not very efficient, and longer fields translate to more 1st downs. No doubt about it, field position will be crucial in this game. However, this is not just on the Special Teams. The Offense needs to avoid turnovers and 3 and outs, and the Defense needs to close out on 3rd downs.

5. Can Wes Welker Beat The Jam? - It might be popular to say Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski will be the X-factor on Offense because they might both play a full game for the first time since week one. However, this game is going to be all about Wes Welker against whoever Seattle puts on him in the slot, most likely Marcus Trufant. Wes will be battling with much bigger guys, and Pete Carroll will probably instruct his secondary to be physical with Welker. If Welker cannot get free on time against the blitz, then nothing will stop Pete Carroll from dialing up pressure on Brady. Yes, the running game will be crucial, but I am looking to Wes Welker to earn his 9 million. I do not expect him to beat the bump every time, but I want to see Welker make the Defense pay when he gets an opportunity. Welker's short route running ability is prized in a match-up where quick pressure can come even with a 3-man rush.