Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, Nov. 27 - about your Seahawks (5-5) two days before the team's Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Seattle's CenturyLink Field.
The Picks Are In
ESPN NFL Nation reporters Sheil Kapadia (Seahawks) and Jeremy Fowler (Steelers) share their picks and predictions for Week 12, with each writer seeing a Seattle win.
Kapadia, who thinks the Seahawks will win 27-24, says, "The Seahawks' defense has already given up 34 pass plays of 20-plus yards through 10 games. They allowed 32 such plays all of last season. The biggest question mark going into Sunday's game is whether they can hold Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and the Steelers' passing game in check. The key might be more about defensive linemen Michael Bennett (6.5 sacks) and Cliff Avril (6.5 sacks) pressuring Roethlisberger than the coverage in the back end. The Seahawks have held fourth-quarter leads in every game this season, and they'll need the offense to do its part. Seattle escapes with a close win decided in the final two minutes."
Fowler, who thinks Seattle will win 24-21, writes, "The Steelers can lose two of their next six games and still finish 10-6, my revised prediction for them. This is one of those two. At 5-5, Seattle is eager to make a late-season run similar to last year's. The Steelers will score enough points to make it interesting, but the defense's efforts to control Jimmy Graham will leave the secondary vulnerable against the Seahawks' supporting cast on offense."
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com shares his game picks for Week 12 and likes the Seahawks over the Steelers, 19-15,* "What a fun game this should be: Antonio Brown versus Richard Sherman ... Ben Roethlisberger versus the Seahawks pass rush ... Marshawn Lynch running into that improved Steelers front. Well, that's not happening. Enter Thomas Rawls, who ran around like a kid at a public swimming pool against the 49ers last week. We're going with Seattle, while acknowledging that Pittsburgh will be motivated by the Bengals' consecutive losses. The AFC North is still within reach, but the Steelers probably have to win out, or at least go 5-1, to claim the division. Pete Carroll's club is three back of the Cardinals, with one head-to-head left to play. Heck, they're trying to stay relevant in the wild-card race. Considering the 'Hawks are at home, the long road trip the Steelers must make and the improved play of the offense last week, we're giving this one to the two-time NFC champs ... narrowly."*
Michael David Smith and Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com each predict a Seahawks win.
David Smith, who picks Seattle 20-17, says, "This is close to a must-win game for the Seahawks for an NFC wild card berth, and it's a big game for the Steelers for an AFC wild card berth as well. I think Seattle, playing at home, will turn in a good defensive effort and win a close one."
Florio, who thinks the Seahawks will win 27-24, writes, "Seattle needs another win, badly. Thomas Rawls has given the offense a huge boost, and the bye week gave them more time to figure out how to useJimmy Graham. The Steelers remain viable contenders in the AFC, but it won't be easy to pull out this one."
Peter Schrager at FOXSports.com says the Seahawks will ride rookie running back Thomas Rawls to a 33-23 win, "A good old Super Bowl rematch, though Seahawks fans would rather not discuss this one for reasons understood. Seattle's found a gem in Thomas Rawls. The undrafted rookie became the first rookie in NFL history to compile more than 250 yards from scrimmage, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a single game. They'll ride him to a win again on Sunday, regardless of what people are saying about their 'celebrity QB.'"
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com sees a 27-24 Steelers win,* "The Seahawks have had trouble with good quarterbacks, and here comes Ben Roethlisberger. Is the Legion of Boom up to defending him? I don't think they are anymore. The Steelers steal a road victory."*
Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com picks the Steelers to win by three, 34-31, "The secondary that has been considered Seattle's strength is actually the biggest concern heading into this game. Ben Roethlisberger is averaging more than 300 yards passing in the six games he has played this season, and Antonio Brown leads the league with 89 receptions. He's on pace to catch 142 passes, which is an improvement on his league-leading total of 129 receptions last year. Will Seattle stick Richard Sherman on Brown?"
All four sports writers at the Seattle Times like the Seahawks to win this week, including beat reporter Bob Condotta, who sees a 21-20 Seattle victory, "Pittsburgh's passing attack will be a real challenge for the Seahawks, especially with Ben Roethlisberger back and coming off of a bye week. But the Steelers don't have the running threat they previously had with Le'Veon Bell out, and the Seattle defense seems due to get a turnover or two at a critical time. The Seattle offense, meanwhile, appears to run just fine with Thomas Rawls. The Seahawks will get and keep a fourth-quarter lead against a good team this time."
Four of eight football analysts at CBSSports.com predict a Seattle victory.
Six of seven analysts at FOXSports.com pick the Seahawks to win.
And seven of 13 experts at ESPN.com like Seattle over Pittsburgh.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from @TheSeaGals, who remind you to pick up a Sea Gals calendar online on the busiest shopping day of the year.
More From Around The Web
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Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle highlights what yesterday's Thanksgiving holiday means to several Seahawks players and coaches.
Four Seahawks, including running back Thomas Rawls (knee) and wide receiver Doug Baldwin (ankle), returned to full participation at Thursday's practice.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Thomas Rawls are subjects of NFL.com's mind-blowing stats photo essay heading into Week 12.
And Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times recaps comments from assistant head coach/offensive line coach Tom Cable on the blocking of Seattle's tight ends and wide receivers in last week's win over the 49ers.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
