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SEATTLE -- While a rocky December did not leave the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions appearing to be playoff-ready, history provides an indication as to how their Saturday night NFC wild-card game might go at CenturyLink Field.

The Seahawks have never lost a playoff game there, the Lions have never won any game there, and Detroit has not won a playoff game anywhere in its past eight tries.

"Obviously, there's a great opportunity in front of us being in the playoffs, one of 12 teams getting that opportunity this year, and (we've) got to take advantage of it," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said in a conference call this week.

Whether or not the Lions can debunk recent trends and come away with the upset might come down to how good Stafford can throw the ball. A legitimate MVP candidate for much of the season, Stafford has been hampered by an injured finger on his throwing hand. The injury is one reason Detroit stumbled down the stretch to lose its final three regular-season games.

"It wasn't a huge challenge," Stafford said of wearing a glove to protect the finger in Green Bay last week. "I had a bunch of gloves to choose from and obviously figured out one that works for me, and I've been using that one pretty much since."

There are also plenty of issues with the Seahawks, despite their eight-game postseason home winning streak that dates back to January 2005, when they lost to the St. Louis Rams in a temporary home at the University of Washington's football stadium. A 2-2 record since Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas went down has been disconcerting, and some sideline squabbles only added fodder to the idea that Seattle is a team in turmoil.

"Everything that's already happened doesn't matter at all," said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whose team suffered its only home loss of the season the last time it played at CenturyLink Field.

Despite the late-season fade, which is rare for the Seahawks during the Carroll era, Seattle has a lot on its side. The Seahawks' six playoff wins since 2013 are the most in the NFL, and Seattle owns a 48-13 home record (including playoffs) since Carroll arrived in 2010.

Despite all the turmoil that weighed down the Seahawks over the final four games of the regular season, there is genuine optimism in that this franchise knows how to win in the postseason.

"The playoffs are something we're used to around here now," defensive end Michael Bennett told reporters this week, "and getting back to the Super Bowl is something we have to get back to."

When asked what he likes most about this Seahawks team, Carroll said, "Mainly that we're comfortable with this opportunity (to play in the postseason)."

On Tuesday night, the Seahawks added kick return specialist Devin Hester to help their playoff run. The 11-year veteran replaces Tyler Lockett, who broke his leg in a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 24.

The 34-year-old Hester has an NFL-record 20 returns for touchdowns, including a record 14 on punts, five on kickoffs and one on a missed field goal attempt return.

The Lions, who lost their final three games to finish 9-7 and finish behind Green Bay in the NFC North standings, don't have nearly the playoff experience -- or success -- upon which to fall back. Detroit made only two playoff appearances since 1999 and has not won a postseason game since 1991 -- when Stafford was not yet 3 years old.

The team's recent history was not pretty, either, as the three-game losing streak left the Lions searching for answers heading into the playoffs.

Detroit probably won't blink if the Seahawks ride the wave of the home crowd to an early lead. The Lions trailed in the fourth quarter of every game during the regular season, and they overcame nine fourth-quarter deficits while streaking out to a 9-4 record before falling back to earth in December and early January.

"Our guys did a real nice job battling through some ups and downs," said Lions coach Jim Caldwell, who went to the Super Bowl in his first season as a head coach with the Colts in 2009 but hasn't won a playoff game since then. "I think we've grown."

Both teams, despite their late-season fades, are happy to still be playing.

"If you're not enjoying this, you're missing it," Carroll said. "This is great stuff, every part of it, every phase of it. ... . It's all fun, and it's really what we work for."

 

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A Lions win would be epic, but I don't know how it happens with them banged up.

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The Seahawks are without their defensive centerpiece so the Lions path to victory is pretty simple. Burn em deep and Ebron a train on them.

 

:Lions: 24

:Seahawks: 20

Edited by RazorStar

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I really want the Lions to win this one but Seattle even without Earl Thomas is just so good at home. I got the Seahawks

 

27-23 just flipping BWare's prediction.

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As vulnerable as we are, Stafford turns it over plenty and should offset our lack of ability to protect Wilson just enough

 

:Lions: 16

:Seahawks: 20

Edited by BC

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Seattle is an 8 point favorite. That's a pretty tempting line.

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Seahawks declared RB C.J. Prosise, WR Kasen Williams, DT Tony McDaniel, RB Terrence Magee, LB Ronald Powell, OG Rees Odhiambo, and TE Nick Vannett inactive for Saturday's Wild Card game against the Lions.

No surprises here. Prosise and McDaniel had already been ruled out with shoulder and concussion injuries, respectively. Prosise may be able to play next week.

 

 

 

 

Lions declared RT Riley Reiff, C Travis Swanson, QB Jake Rudock, WR Jace Billingsley, LB Antwione Williams, FB Michael Burton, and CB Alex Carter inactive for Week 18 against the Seahawks.

Reiff (hip) and Swanson (concussion) were both listed questionable, but aren't ready to play. Cornelius Lucas is expected to start at right tackle, with Graham Glasgow remaining at center and Laken Tomlinson at left guard.

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That catch by Richardson is up there with OBJ's. That was incredible.

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It'd be slightly more incredible if he didn't have to commit OPI in order to make it. great grab though regardless.

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Real playoff teams make crazy catches on big moments... The Lions drop passes on every 3rd down.

Edited by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

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I know people hate the Seahawks but there's a reason why they're so good. They'be hit on so many draft picks over the years it's unbelievable.

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Actually a large chunk of their team is undrafted. :yao:

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I know people hate the Seahawks but there's a reason why they're so good.

 

Because the refs give them calls / non-calls that no other team even comes close to getting?

  • Upvote 1

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THROW THE BALL!!!

 

This running game is not gonna win the game. Jesus.

 

I hate the Lions but you guys need a RB... Watching Zenner tote the rock is killing my soul.

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I hate the Lions but you guys need a RB... Watching Zenner tote the rock is killing my soul.

He's from South Dakota State so he has to be good.

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I feel so bad for Stafford man. Detroit's receivers have really let him down.

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Lions 1-12 playoff record in the Super Bowl era. :(

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