NFL Playoffs: X-Factors, red flags for each team

Seattle Seahawks X Factor: Location, location, location

The Seattle Seahawks enter this game firing on all cylinders. They ended up with the No. 1 defense again in 2014, along with the No. 1 rushing attack in the league. They haven’t given up more than 24 points to any opponent in three months.

On top of all that, Seattle has the best home field advantage in the NFL.

The Panthers have to travel to a hostile environment – which would be bad enough if they were going to, say, Philly or Baltimore. Charlotte is 2,821 miles away from Seattle.

The welcome they receive when they arrive promises to be less than friendly. The 12s, as the fans refer to themselves, are about the most inhospitable tribe of natives you’d face this side of The Heart of Darkness. The 12th Man takes their responsibility very seriously. They know that, through sheer volume of voice, they can cause false starts, panic and general chaos for visiting teams. If Carolina allows Marshawn Lynch to get into Beast Mode, Carolina just could be facing an earthquake of dominating proportions.

Seattle Seahawks Red Flag: The linebackers

If Carolina stands any chance in this game, they are going to have to involve their running backs and tight ends in the game plan. As good as Seattle was against the rush and in pass defense against opposing wide receivers, the Hawks pass defense was middle of the road against opposing TEs and RBs. They surrendered 60 receptions and 11 receiving touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year. They gave up another 9 receiving touchdowns to opposing running backs.

This makes the linebacking corps of Seattle a concern. If they hope to shut down the Carolina offense, they are going to have to tighten up their coverage on seam routes by the tight end, and on routes to the flat by running backs.

Next: Can the Cowboys win at Lambeau?