Charlie Whitehurst Expected To Start Versus Rams

Added on Dec 28, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

With the NFC West title and a trip to the playoffs at stake on Sunday, it appears Seattle will be without starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The Hawks signal caller suffered a strained hip/lower back in the loss to Tampa Bay and was forced into an early exit. An MRI didn’t reveal any extensive damage, but head coach Pete Carroll is preparing backup Charlie Whitehurst to be under center for the regular season finale versus the Rams.

Whitehurst, who was acquired in a trade with San Diego in the offseason, has started one game and seen time in four others. He has thrown for 315 yards, one touchdown pass and three interceptions. Hasselbeck hasn’t enjoyed a particularly successful season himself having tossed twelve touchdowns and 17 picks. However, he has plenty of big game experience and is better equipped to handle a St. Louis defense that has compiled 43 sacks and 14 interceptions.

Should Seattle defeat the Rams, they would be the first team in the Super Bowl era to win their division and make the playoffs with a losing record, which isn’t something to be proud of. The NFC West has been a mess all season. Even the 5-10 49ers, who just fired head coach Mike Singletary, were in the hunt before losing this past weekend.

With Hasselbeck, the Seahawks have a decent shot to win in front of their normally rabid home crowd. Without him, it could be a long afternoon. Whitehurst hasn’t started a game of this magnitude since his college days at Clemson. Relying on him to lead the postseason charge could prove disastrous. If you’re a Seattle fan, cross your fingers Hasselbeck heals quickly.

Source: NFL.com