NFL Divisional Playoff: New Orleans Saints v Seattle Seahawks match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Divisional Playoff match at CenturyLink Field in Seattle

Russell Wilson will be hoping to guide the Seattle Seahawks to victory over the New Orleans Saints (GETTY IMAGES)

The New Orleans Saints return to Seattle tonight to face the Seahawks for a place in the NFC Championship game. For the second time this season, the two NFC power houses will face off in what will hopefully be a more even game than the first matchup where the Seahawks dominated 34-7 back in week 13.

Seattle, the top NFC seed, finished the 2013 season with 13 wins and only 3 losses. They command an intimidating home field advantage where supporters have seen the team win 15 of its last 16 games at CenturyLink Field. They will be led by second year Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has more than lived up to expectations over the last few months. Wilson followed his stellar rookie season with a statistically equal sophomore season.

The Seahawks face a Saints team that recorded their first ever playoff victory away from home last weekend, in a 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Saints (11-5) have an established passing attack led by Quarterback Drew Brees, yet they showed last week that they were capable of winning with their Defence and running game, something they were unable to rely on when they last played the Seahawks. Seattle remains the NFC’s favourite to make the Super Bowl, but an upset from a Saints team that has faltered on few occasions this season, is not something to completely rule out.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 9.35pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

New Orleans 7 - Seattle 34, Regular Season, December 2013

New Orleans 36 – Seattle 41, Playoffs, Wild Card, January 2011

Seattle 19 – New Orleans 34, Regular Season, November 2010

STATS:

The Seahawks scored a total of 417 points this season, that’s only 3 points (one field goal) more than the Saints

Seattle holds a Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium noise, with a decibel reading of 137.5. The record was set on 2nd December 2013, the same night the Seahawks beat the Saints 34 – 7.

New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees has the second highest passing yards (5,162) and touchdowns (39) thrown this season. He is second only to Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning, who set NFL records for most passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) thrown this season

Seattle’s Defence ranks 1st in the League in least amount of points (14.4) and yards (273.6) allowed each game.

ODDS:

New Orleans to win: 3.75

Seattle to win: 1.25

TV: Live on Sky Sports 3 at 9.35pm, highlights on Sky Sports 3 on Sunday at 10.30am