Back from their one-year hiatus, the Seahawks visit Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas in their return to the postseason. Is the the start of a playoff run, or will Seattle be one-and-done? Make your prediction below and compare with our experts and your fellow fans.
Bob Condotta
— Seattle Times sports reporter
31-27
Cowboys
These are two of the hottest teams in the NFL. While Seattle has won six of its last seven, the Cowboys have won seven of their last eight. Each also has a rusher among the top five in the NFL (Ezekiel Elliott, Chris Carson) and a passing attack that is more opportunistic than prolific. It's tough to bet against Russell Wilson — he's 8-4 in the postseason in his career. But this could be a bad matchup for Seattle going against a Dallas defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the run and is playing at home. Seattle has beaten Dallas twice in the past year in the regular season, holding a 3-0 turnover edge in each game. If that continues, chalk up another win for the Seahawks. If not. ....
Mike Vorel
— Seattle Times sports reporter
24-20
Seahawks
These teams mirror each other in a lot of ways. Both are determined to establish the run, both have stars on the second level of their defense and both enter the playoffs riding a wave of momentum. But only one has Russell Wilson. Only one has a collection of guys – albeit fewer of them than in previous seasons – that understands how to win playoff games. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have all the pressure in the world. They’re expected to win. If they don’t, there will be consequences. These young upstart Seahawks have so little to lose, and that’s why they’ll win.
Larry Stone
— Seattle Times columnist
20-17 (OT)
Seahawks
These teams appear to be extremely evenly matched in talent, momentum and M.O., so it stands to reason that they’ll need extra time to decide this one. In the end, I give the edge to the playoff experience and big-game history of Russell Wilson. Sebastian Janikowski’s leg will prove decisive once again.
Matt Calkins
— Seattle Times columnist
24-23
Cowboys
I can't quite match the football analytical skills of Skip Bayless, who dismissed Russell Wilson's rushing skills this season because he didn't run for a touchdown, but I do know the power of home field in the NFL. On a neutral site, the Seahawks would be the Cowboys more often than not, but in a league of parity, that home environment is usually the difference in a game between two fairly evenly matched teams.
