Can home-field edge save Seahawks?

Published on November 6, 2010 by T.C.     

The Seattle Seahawks’ game against the heavily favored New York Giants in Week 9 stands as an ultimate test for Qwest Field’s cosmic powers.

Little or nothing about the matchup itself appears to favor Seattle. But even a decent performance at home can sometimes carry a team to victory through improbable means.

The Giants famously committed 11 false-start penalties and missed three field goals at Qwest Field in 2005, helping Seattle escape with a 24-21 overtime victory. The Seahawks had a Super Bowl team that season, however, whereas the current team is rebuilding and far less healthy.

If the Seahawks do pull an upset Sunday, home-field edge will surely come into play. It’s just tough to bank on the false-start storyline given how much the Giants have improved in that area under coach Tom Coughlin:

Tackle David Diehl has only 12 false-start penalties over the last four seasons, including zero in 2010, after racking up 21 from 2004 to 2006.

Luke Petitgout, who committed 10 false-start penalties for the Giants in 2005, had three in 2006, his final season with the team.

Guard Chris Snee had seven false-start penalties in 2004, Coughlin’s first season with the team. He has only one over the last three seasons.

Seattle’s opponents have committed 99 false-start penalties at Qwest Field since 2005, the highest figure for any stadium in the league. The Giants committed three there during a 2006 game between the teams.

via NFC West Blog – ESPN.

Tags: Chris Snee, Coach Tom Coughlin, Cosmic Powers, Current Team, David Diehl, Decent Performance, ESPN, Field Goals, Four Seasons, Luke Petitgout, Matchup, New York Giants, Nfc West, Opponents, Overtime Victory, Qwest, qwest field, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, super bowl, three seasons