Despite their inconsistent play and a rash of key injuries, it remains very simple for the Seattle Seahawks: A win over the San Francisco 49ers yesterday would secure a third straight NFL division title.
The Seahawks would also be assured of a home playoff game next month.
Winning the NFC West has been a foregone conclusion for Seattle from the start of the season in their mediocre division.
However, San Francisco will not be a pushover.
Less than a month ago, Frank Gore slashed through the Seahawks' questionable run defense for a San Francisco-record 212 yards rushing in the 49ers' 20-14 victory that made the defending NFC champion look anything but formidable.
"I think we'd like to tackle him this time," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said.
Seattle will have both last season's league MVP Shaun Alexander and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck together this time. Alexander played his first game after missing six games with a cracked foot when Seattle played at San Francisco, and Hasselbeck was missing the last of his four games with a knee sprain.
Since that breakthrough victory, the 49ers haven't won. Quarterback Alex Smith has become erratic, coverage mistakes are festering in the defense, and a lack of overall sharpness has made the positive feelings from their win over Seattle a memory. And now comes a short week, with only three days of preparation and travel, to prepare for the Seahawks.
On Saturday, quarterback Tony Romo will try to rebound from a poor performance and keep the Dallas Cowboys pointed toward the playoffs when they visit the banged-up Atlanta Falcons.
Dallas appeared to be sailing toward a division title under the direction of Romo, who replaced Drew Bledsoe at midseason and won five of his first six starts. He was ordinary, however, in a 42-17 loss to New Orleans on Sunday.
While the Cowboys defense was also in disarray, Atlanta may not have its top two tailbacks after last week's 17-6 victory over Tampa Bay.
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