It’s strength versus strength as the Seattle Seahawks’ soaring pass offence heads to D.C. for a meeting with the Washington Football Team’s elite pass defence. Russell Wilson is fourth in the NFL with 3,685 passing yards and second with 36 passing touchdowns, and he’s going up against a top-three secondary in passing yards against (206.3 per game).

With the Seahawks 9-4 and without their division tie-breaker, and the Football Team 6-7 and leading the NFC East this Week 15 matchup is also shaping up as a potential playoff preview.

NFL Week 15 Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Even with the Seahawks’ past decade of success, it’s Washington who’s got the better of Settle head-to-head — winning six of their last 10 meetings while going 5-4-1 ATS. In those 10 contests, neither team averaged over 20 points per game, yet the under only went 6-4.

The total’s set for 44.5 Sunday, which makes sense as Seattle’s allowed 37 points over their last three games and Washington’s seventh with 21.2 points against per game. The total could even drop if quarterback Alex Smith can’t go and it’s Dwayne Haskins under centre in relief. The two Football Team pivots combined for 108 passing yards last week.

Whoever suits up will be the underdog, with oddsmakers giving Seattle 5.5 points on the road.

Seattle Seahawks

After dropping their first home game of the season to the New York Giants, the Seahawks are coming off a much-needed get right game against the winless Jets. Seattle accumulated 225 more yards than the Jets, Wilson put up four touchdown passes, while Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde both eclipsed 65 rushing yards — a well-balanced offence makes Pete Carroll happy.

Now jockeying for playoff seeding, Seattle may face another hurting offence. Except this time the term is meant literally as Washington went without an offensive touchdown last week while missing key starters.

With a win Sunday the Seahawks can also book their playoff ticket and their eighth double-digit win season in the last nine years.

Washington Football Team

Although on a four-game win streak, it’s not getting easier for the Football Team. The mentioned key starters vacant from last week’s win were Smith and starting running back Antonio Gibson. Both appear to be doubtful for Week 15.

That would indicate Haskins is back in, who head coach Ron Rivera benched after Week 4. The 2019 first-round pick has thrown just shy of 1,000 yards in his second campaign, tossing four touchdowns and three interceptions in four starts.

Week 15 is the perfect opportunity for Haskins to set up, as Washington can climb back to .500 and get one step closer to an improbable home playoff game. Rookie defensive Chase Young is proving he was worth the first-round draft choice, now Haskins has to.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Seahawks vs. Washington?