At FanIQ, we'll be breaking down each playoff game from every angle...

6 Washington Redskins (9-7) at 3 Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Saturday, 4:30 PM, NBC from Qwest Field.

Only four weeks ago, the season seemed all but over for the Washington Redskins.  They were emotionally drained from having to deal with the death of a teammate, and they were 5-7 with a tough schedule.  But the Redskins won four in a row to make the playoffs, and are the hottest team in the NFC.

On the other side, you have the Seahawks, a team who has very quietly had a solid season.  Heading in to a playoff game at home, where they have a 7-1 record in games at Qwest Field.

Seattle Offense vs Washington Defense

The Seahawks were a pass heavy offense this season, a change from a team that had been known for running the ball.  Not only did they pass, they passed well.  QB Matt Hasselbeck quietly was one of the better QB's in the NFL this season.  Veteran Bobby Engram had a big year, and they have 4 pretty good receivers total which will be tough to stop.  However, they had trouble running the ball.  The run blockers struggled, and Shaun Alexander looked very slow and mediocre.  The line has been average, and stud tackle Walter Jones is banged up. 
Washington has a pretty strong front 7, and are one of the tougher teams to run on.  But the question will be can the pass D match the many targets of the Seahawks?  They have a solid group of corners in Springs, Rogers, Smoot, and Macklin.  Landry is an effective safety, but they may be able to exploit Reed Doughty.  If the Redskins want to win this battle, they will need to generate a good pass rush, something they've been average at all year.

Seattle will need to protect Hasselbeck in order to be successful.  They have to establish a decent run game, because if they can't run at all, Washington will be able to bring the blitzes and force turnovers.  The Redskins need to force them to be one-dimensional, and then get field position through turnovers.

Redskins Offense vs Seahawks Defense

Todd Collins hasn't been special since taking the spot at QB, but he hasn't made dumb mistakes, and hasn't turned it over on an INT yet. Portis had a solid season on the ground.  The blocking had injury issues early, but were strong late.  If Moss is healthy, he's dangerous and Cooley is a sometimes forgotten tight end.

Seattle's defense has been great at forcing turnovers as well as getting sacks.  They have one of the better linebacking crews with two stars in Peterson and Tatupu as well as a great pass rushing end in Kerney.  They have good corners in Trufant and Jennings, and overall one of the NFL's better defenses.

The Redskins are a pound the ball team, and if they want success, they must keep that going.  They have to run successfully, and use that to set up play action.  Even if the run game is average, they have to stick to it.  For Seattle, the key is shutting down the run.  If you can force them to be passing heavy team, you can pressure Collins and beat a very average passing game.

Special Teams

Seattle's return game is very effective.  Burleson has been great on punts, and he and Josh Wilson have done a good job on kicks.  Plackemeier is a solid punter, and Josh Brown is a pretty good kicker who has good range and is money up from short.

Shaun Suisham has shown skill, but is a bit inconsistent, and has yet had to get it done in the big game.  Frost is an average punter.  Cartwright has been a good kickoff returner, while Randle El has been an alright punt returner.

Key Match-Ups

WR Santana Moss vs CB Marcus Trufant: Moss is their big play threat at receiver, and they're bound to try him deep a few times on a play action.  It's Trufant's job to shut him down.

DE Andre Carter vs OT Walter Jones: Jones is banged up, and is the key to that offensive line.  Carter is a very tough pass rushing end would could prove to be huge.

The Verdict

Seattle's crowd is one of the loudest, and that is very tough to go to and win.  I think that Seattle's D will be able to force some turnovers from Collins, and that will give their offense good field position.  I think Washington's D will play strong, but it won't be enough.  Seahawks 23, Redskins 16.

If Seattle wins, they will face Green Bay.  If Washington wins, they will play Dallas.

Who do you think will win?  What do you think the keys to this game will be?