Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: 5 X-factors for Wild Card Round
By Randy Gurzi
2. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks leading receiver in 2018 was Tyler Lockett, who had 965 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s proven throughout the season that he’s a big play waiting to happen. Dallas knows this as he had 77 yards and a touchdown in the 24-13 Seattle win in Week 3.
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On Saturday, they’re going to have to keep an eye on Lockett and limit the explosive plays. However, Lockett isn’t the X-Factor that can swing things for the Hawks. Instead, that’s going to be Doug Baldwin who has been turning back into the No. 1 threat Seattle is used to him being the past couple of weeks.
In Week 16 when they upset the Kansas City Chiefs, Baldwin put up 126 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions. What was evident in that game is that the Seattle offense can compete with anyone when Baldwin is playing at his best. As good as Lockett is, the veteran Baldwin is their most complete receiver and they can reach another level when he and Russell Wilson get rolling together.
As soon as a defense has to start worrying about that combination, the running game — and Lockett’s deep speed — start to become an afterthought. That’s when they can really make people pay.