This may sound like justification for nearly losing at home to a mediocre team, but here it goes: the Seahawks' 20-13 win over the Rams last weekend was exactly what this team needed to prepare for the playoffs. We all would've loved to see another three-touchdown blowout but I'm not sure that would've been the best thing for this team.

The Jeff Fisher-led Rams had plenty to play for, including their first winning season since 2003. He had his team ready to play and there was loads of motivation to not only finish out the year undefeated in the NFC West, but also to capture the momentum created by beating the hottest team in the NFL heading into the offseason.

We did not witness a letdown last Sunday. We saw the Hawks take care of a team that was ready to play and a simulation of what a win in the playoffs might look like.

Particularly impressive was the way they finished the game. The game-winning touchdown drive was a 10-play, 90-yard masterpiece ending with a Russell Wilson running score. The drive included some clutch plays by Golden Tate and equal parts Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. The nail in the coffin was a Richard Sherman interception in the end zone.

Long scoring drives and big-play turnovers are the recipe for a win in the playoffs. There will be very few blowouts, so thanks for the tune-up, St. Louis.

Turnover ratio

Speaking of turnovers, if you look at the top 12 teams in the NFL in turnover ratio (takeaways vs. giveaways), nine of those teams are in the playoffs, including the Seahawks and the Redskins. It brings home the message Pete Carroll preaches constantly – it's all about the ball.

The Redskins rank third with a turnover ratio of plus-17 and the Hawks rank sixth with plus-13. Both defenses have the same number of takeaways but the Redskins' offense has four fewer giveaways. You can attribute that to quarterback Robert Griffin III and the phenomenally low number of interceptions he has thrown this year. RG III has thrown just five picks, an incredible number for any quarterback let alone a rookie.

But the Hawks are on a tear right now in that category. During their five-game winning streak that began in Chicago, the Seahawks are plus-11. They'll need to keep that streak alive to advance in the playoffs.

The past two Super Bowl champions won mostly on the road, a path the Hawks will most likely have to take. Both the Giants and the Packers got big road wins on their way to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy due to that all-important statistic. Each team went plus-6 during the postseason.

Meet the Redskins

Quick ... name any player on the Redskins not named Robert Griffin III. Excluding you fantasy footballers, the Redskins' roster is a bit of a mystery to most of us. Like the Hawks, they're identified by their quarterback. That's too bad for two players on opposite ends of the age spectrum because running back Alfred Morris and linebacker London Fletcher are having spectacular seasons.

Fletcher is an extraordinary story in that he plays one of the most physical positions in football (middle linebacker) and has managed to stay healthy his entire career in spite of his small stature. Fletcher is in his 15th season and at 5-foot-10 and under 240 pounds, he was given very little chance to make any teams his rookie year in 1998.

The free agent out of football powerhouse John Carroll College (The Blue Streaks!) has not slowed down in the least and may have been the biggest snub in this year's Pro Bowl voting. He had two sacks against the Cowboys last Sunday and an eye-popping five interceptions for the season. That's more than any other linebacker in the league and he also ranks seventh in tackles (139). How in the world do you not get into the Pro Bowl with those numbers?

The most remarkable thing about Fletcher, he's 37 years old and will be appearing in his 241st consecutive game against the Seahawks on Sunday. Sorry, Brett Favre. Appearing in 297 straight games is impressive, but when you're hitting 300-pound linemen nearly every play, it makes standing in the pocket look like a day at the beach.

Pro Bowl center Max Unger will have his hands full with Fletcher. Those old guys tend to be crafty.

Morris is the Redskins' version of Marshawn Lynch, except Morris is a rookie. He also has more rushing yards than Beast Mode and finished second only to Minnesota's Adrian Peterson with 1,613 yards. He ran for twice his average last Sunday, finishing the night with 200 yards against the Cowboys.

Morris was a sixth-round pick out of another football powerhouse, Florida Atlantic University (Owls!), and like a lot of the Seahawks' roster, a relative unknown who has become a very pleasant surprise.

Morris will definitely put the Seahawks' run defense to the test.

It should be an exciting one, folks. The Hawks excel in three areas that get you wins in the playoffs: the running game, defense and turnovers.

Follow Dave Wyman, 710Sports.com contributor

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  clevesside wrote...

  Rumors are the Redskins defensive secondary....

  January 2, 2013 10:34 am

  ... is a prime target for "testing" as a weak link. Hello, Bevelle? We have a bomber, and lets use him! Also, anonymous "no-names", like the Redskins as a whole, who excel w/o notice, you'd think would be either dangerous, underrated, or none of the above. Should be a great road game, the Anonymous (DC) vs the Ignored (Seahawks). Thank you, east coast bias.

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  Oregon Duck fan wrote...

  What....

  January 2, 2013 12:26 pm

  is nice about Seattle... Is that they are really good at every position on offense! Yes the Wideouts as a group are not elite but they are good enough! And with Russell Wilson being a duel threat QB and being well... Russell Wilson He only makes that group stronger! Its nice when you play a team such as washington where you can pick on one weaker area like there pass defense! Go Hawks!

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  soo purletiv wrote...

  @ Dave Wayman

  January 2, 2013 5:10 pm

  I mean this with as much due respect as possible, but...

  Welcome to the club!!!

  Why did it take you until Wednesday to figure this one out? Most of us felt that way on Sunday.

  Not all games will be blowouts. Match ups are key. The Rams and the Hawks match up quite well. As do the Rams and 49ers.

  This was a game in which the Hawks needed to stay awake and not look past, as they did with Miami.

  Finding a way to win a game that is close in the 4th, is more valuable than a blowout. It tests the mettle of a team, so to speak, and builds future character.

  Hopefully a character that will carry them through close games during the play-offs.

  Hopefully, that is...

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  montycash wrote...

  will

  January 2, 2013 7:32 pm

  We will, will our way to a W, we have new comfort zone called a new norm winning No Matter What!!! Go Hawks

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  montycash wrote...

  what

  January 2, 2013 7:33 pm

  A new norm, like that

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  montycash wrote...

  playoffs

  January 2, 2013 7:42 pm

  GO HAWKS !!

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  grow up/get real wrote...

  So much could happen, but these are the keys to a win:

  January 2, 2013 8:33 pm

  1)Eliminate stupid penalties. This team has a track record and it will surely defeat them on the road if this isn't shored up. 2)Contain the Redskin run game. RGIII and Morris will get their yards but no big game changer plays. Make RGIII beat you with his arm. 3)Unleash Wilson to throw downfield. The Skin secondary is open to abuse, and the so-so Skin defense must focus on Wilson and Lynch running all over first. 4)Have more points then they do at the end of the game (this key has never failed). Go Hawks

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  Rangerhawk wrote...

  I'm going to have to take an ambien Saturday night

  January 2, 2013 11:18 pm

  Cause I won't be able to sleep! Like most of you, I think I want this team to make it to the big dance even more than the 2005 team. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing Pop-Warner age kids around the country wearing #3 Wilson jerseys in the coming years too. Is there a better role model than him out there?

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  Newton wrote...

  Recipe for success.

  January 3, 2013 1:45 am

  Have the Hawks peak at the correct time is everything. Its hard to do on any away game. Just set there alarm clocks to start getting up and ready to get into the slot where thier peak time is dialed in for the D.C game. Go Hawks!!!.

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