Can a resurgent running game pave the Seahawks' way to Super Bowl?
The Seattle Seahawks are back in the divisional round for the fifth consecutive season. It'll be their first foray without Marshawn Lynch, but, as they showed Saturday against the Detroit Lions, they may have the ground game necessary to make it deep into the NFC playoffs.
In his first-ever playoff contest, running back Thomas Rawls broke the franchise's postseason record for rushing yards in one game. The sophomore topped Lynch's 157-yard game in 2014 by gashing the Lions for 161 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 26-6 wild-card-round win.
Seattle brings to the postseason the fifth-ranked defense, a quarterback that hasn't missed a divisional round, and a receiving corps at the top of its game. If the Hawks add a reliable running game to their arsenal, the rest of the NFC playoff bracket ought to be frightened.
The Seahawks entered the playoffs with one clear weakness: a young offensive line that features two rookies and one player that never played the position before this season. While they may not be able to provide optimal protection for quarterback Russell Wilson, if the line can open enough holes for Rawls and Co., Seattle may very well be the favorite to win the NFC.
On Saturday, the team had the benefit of playing at home, where they've now won 10 consecutive playoff games, and of playing a Lions team that had yet to beat a top contender this season. To advance further, they'll next have to win in Atlanta.
The Seahawks own a win over the Falcons this season, which came at home, and required a late rally and a final defensive stand. In their second meeting, they may now have the capacity to exploit Atlanta's 17th-ranked run defense.
Rawls averaged 6 yards per carry in Saturday's wild-card win even while toting the football 27 times. In their Week 6 meeting with the Falcons, Christine Michael got into the end zone twice, but tallied just 64 yards on 18 carries.
If they're able to add that element while matching their No. 10 pass offense against the Falcons' 28th-ranked pass defense, the Seahawks just may be the favorites entering the NFC Championship Game.