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Seahawks (9-2) at Eagles (4-5)

With the Seahawks suffering injuries at wide receiver, defenses have focused on stopping Shaun Alexander. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review
With the Seahawks suffering injuries at wide receiver, defenses have focused on stopping Shaun Alexander. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Series: Eagles lead 6-3

The line: Seahawks by 4

TV: ABC, with Al Michaels, John Madden and Sam Ryan

Radio: KXLY 920-AM, KVNI 1080-AM, with Steve Raible and Warren Moon

COACHES

Seattle: Mike Holmgren, 59-48, 7th season; 134-85 overall, 14th season

Philadelphia: Andy Reid, 69-38, 7th season, 7th overall

FAST FACT

Seattle’s final five regular-season opponents are a combined 24-35 – and that includes Indianapolis’ 12-0 record.

ANALYSIS

Seattle is on a seven-game winning streak, has clinched the NFC West title and has a favorable remaining schedule. Yet there is skepticism about this team and some of it is probably warranted. The Seahawks haven’t been as solid offensively or defensively the past two games. The absence of receiver Darrell Jackson has hampered Seattle’s passing attack of late. That’s led to adhesive coverage on the receivers and an added emphasis on containing Shaun Alexander. Defensively, the Seahawks continue to walk the fine line between bending and breaking. Still, Seattle has found a way to win and playoff positioning is the bottom line. Assuming Jackson returns as expected for the woeful 49ers next week, Seattle should be close to full strength as it pursues home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Traveling to the East Coast has never been easy on the Seahawks, but Philadelphia is a shell of the team that went to the Super Bowl last season. No Donovan, No T.O., not much running game and a defense with statistics remarkably similar to Seattle’s – except in points allowed. The Eagles will put up a fight, but don’t have enough weapons on offense.

Prediction: Seahawks, 23-16.

INJURIES

Seahawks

Out: CB Kelly Herndon (knee), S John Howell (hamstring), WR Darrell Jackson (knee), LB Jamie Sharper (knee).

Questionable: DE Bryce Fisher (foot).

Probable: LB D.D. Lewis (knee), DT Chuck Darby (knee).

Eagles

Questionable: G Artis Hicks (knee), DT Sam Rayburn (shoulder), LB Dedrick Roper (elbow, hamstring).

Probable: K David Akers (hamstring), RB Reno Mahe (back), TE Stephen Spach (foot), RB Lamar Gordon (concussion, ankle), LB Jeremiah Trotter (knee).

By Jim Meehan, staff writer