Seattle beefed up its depth at receiver and on the offensive line during the off-season. Those were wise moves.

WR Joe Jurevicius will get lots of playing time against the Redskins even though WR Darrell Jackson is back from a knee injury. Seattle is also confident in the abilities of young WR D.J. Hackett, who gained valuable experience when Jackson and WR Bobby Engram were out with injuries.

Re-signing RT Floyd Womack went a long way toward shoring up the depth on the line. Womack hasn't been starting this season because RT Sean Locklear won the job when Womack was injured. But with Womack able to back up every position on the line except center, Seattle is in good position depth-wise heading into the playoffs. PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES

--LB D.D. Lewis returned to practice Wednesday. He remained questionable on the injury report with a foot injury.

--RT Sean Locklear missed practice Wednesday with a hip injury. The team listed him as questionable.

--RT Floyd Womack would start Saturday if RT Sean Locklear is sidelined by a hip injury. Locklear missed practice Wednesday with a hip injury. The team listed him as questionable.

--DE Joe Tafoya practiced Wednesday. He remained questionable on the injury report with a sore hamstring.

--CB Marcus Trufant practiced Wednesday. He remained questionable on the injury report with a sore back.

GAME PLAN
The Seahawks will probably have to come out passing to set up the run. The Redskins are a tough, physical team with outstanding linebackers who hold up well against the run. QB Matt Hasselbeck must set a fast tempo that allows him to hit receivers in stride against tight coverage. If he can do that, RB Shaun Alexander should be able to pick up yards when the Redskins are forced to respect the possibility of a pass.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant, coming off a back injury, vs. Redskins WR Santana Moss, a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Trufant missed the regular-season finale. He could be rusty. Moss has the speed to hurt the Seahawks down the field. The Seahawks will have to monitor Trufant to make sure he's up to the challenge.

Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu, a finalist for rookie of the year, vs. Redskins RB Clinton Portis, a tough dude who has been playing hurt. Tatupu is an instinctive player who moves very efficiently and has a knack for makings plays. Portis is a hard-nosed runner whose blitz pickup skills will be important in keeping Tatupu and LB Leroy Hill from coming on blitzes up the middle.

INJURY IMPACT
Trufant and CB Andre Dyson are returning from injuries. Both will play, but neither will be in top form. Seattle needs to get some pressure on Redskins QB Mark Brunell to keep the heat off the Seahawks' secondary.

Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.