Turbulent seas (David Elfin / THE WASHINGTON TIMES) (The Washington Times)

[NewsReader]

Seattle's tough times in what was supposed to be smooth sailing back to the Super Bowl aren't a first for coach Mike Holmgren, whose defending NFC champion Green Bay Packers lost in the first round in 1998.

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[winddancer88]

Not going to happen (SB losers curse).

Reasons:

1) Weak schedule
2) Alexander back next week
3) Hasselback back in three weeks
4) Defense -- actually pretty good. Most of the points allowed recently were in the fourth quarter, one touchdown was against the offense (backup quarterback), and the secondary is being addressed.

I think the Hawks will win the division, but they'll need home field to get past da Bears (and some healthy stars).