Nov 27, 2015 3 min read

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This is an interesting matchup this week.

The Steelers haven’t had much success in Seattle over the years, going 1-6 in their previous seven trips there. And Seattle is very tough at home, particularly since Russell Wilson became their starting QB in 2012.

Since that time, the Seahawks are 25-4 at home when Wilson starts. That’s outstanding.

But two of those losses have come this season, as the Seahawks have started to show some signs of slipping, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Though they still rank second in the league in total defense, much of that is built by dominating weaker opponents. In fact, Seattle’s two home losses this season have come against the only two teams it has hosted that hold a winning record – Carolina and Arizona.

And in both cases, Seattle’s defense was dominated. Carolina had 383 total yards in a 27-23 win, while Arizona had 451 in a 39-32 victory.

So, for the Steelers to win, they can’t play conservatively. They’ve got to let it fly and take some chances.

To that point, Seattle’s Legion of Boom secondary hasn’t been quite as formidable this season. The Seahawks are tied for last in the NFL with four interceptions, three of which have come from free safety Earl Thomas.

And Pittsburgh has enough weapons, ala Arizona, to exploit the Seahawks if they take care of the football.

The question then comes down to whether or not the Steelers’ defense can hold its own against the NFL’s top rushing attack.

Even without Marshawn Lynch, who won’t play in this game, the Seahawks run it well with rookie Thomas Rawls and Wilson.

The key will be keeping Wilson from escaping the pocket and forcing him to win the game throwing it instead of scrambling.

Wilson is better than most scrambling quarterbacks when it comes to throwing the ball. He’s one of the best in the business, in fact. But his receivers, outside of tight end Jimmy Graham, aren’t exactly as talented as either Antonio Brown or Martavis Bryant.

The Steelers have shown this season than if they really try to take something away, they can do it. It might come at the expense of something else, but they can make opponents one dimensional, if they really put their mind to it.

For example, in their last game out, they wanted to slam the door on Cleveland’s running game, which had given them fits in 2014. They did so, at the expense of allowing Johnny Manziel to pass for a career high in yards.

But, at the end of the day, it only added up to nine points for the Browns.

The Steelers do have the ability to win this game, but history tells us that it probably won’t happen.

At 5-5, Seattle’s playoff prospects are in much dire than those of Pittsburgh (6-4). And given the Steelers’ lack of success in Seattle, I’ll take the Seahawks to win this one.

They are favored by 5 points, but I think the Steelers will keep it closer than that.

Take the Steelers to cover in a 23-20 loss.