Seahawks vs. Chiefs 2014: 3 things to watch

On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most important games on this Week 11 slate. Both at 6-3 and in the thick of their playoff races, this contest will have major postseason implications. Seattle sits two games behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, while Kansas City is quietly only a game behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. If the season ended today, both would qualify as wild-card teams.

Seattle has won three straight games and is coming off a dominant showing in a 38-17 win over the New York Giants. Behind Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks rushed for 350 yards in the victory, showcasing a read-option that has devastated opposing defenses. While its passing attack is only better than the New York Jets with 194.4 yards per game, the running game is tops in the NFL at 170.9 yards/game.

Kansas City is built much in the same way. The Chiefs rely heavily on Jamaal Charles to carry the offensive load, with backfield mate Knile Davis also becoming a factor this year. Between them, Kansas City checks in at fifth in rushing yards per game with 135.8. On defense, the Chiefs have been nothing short of excellent. Kansas City has the best pass defense in the league, allowing 205.3 yards/game. A major reason is Justin Houston, who leads the NFL with 12 sacks. As a team, the Chiefs have amassed 28 sacks, only less than the Bills and Dolphins in the AFC.

The Seahawks love to run read-option plays, perhaps more than any other team in football. With Golden Tate in Detroit, Percy Harvin being traded in October and tight end Zach Miller out for the season, Seattle is very limited in what it can do vertically. Because of this, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has decided to stretch teams out horizontally by giving Wilson the option to either run wide or hand to Lynch if the outside linebackers hold the edge.

Wilson will have to deal with Tamba Hali and Houston on the outside this week, a far greater challenge than what the Giants possessed. Hali is not known for his run-stuffing ability, but he's a smart veteran and well-coached by defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. Houston is one of, if not, the best 3-4 outside linebackers against the run, so expect plenty of options runs to be headed away from him. Should Wilson hand off to Lynch, the man who loves Skittles will have to pick his way past 345-pound nose tackle Dontari Poe.

2. Travis Kelce

Kansas City's passing game is short and simple, suiting Andy Reid's West Coast offense. Alex Smith will take what is given to him, and this matchup screams for Kelce to get involved. One of the breakout performers this season, Kelce is a tough cover for defenses because of his elite size at 6'5 and 260 pounds, along with 4.6 speed. Bobby Wagner is out for this game, so Seattle with have to guard him with Bruce Irvin and others. Kelce will likely see more snaps this week than normal with Anthony Fasano nursing an injured knee. He's questionable for Sunday.

If Seattle has issues covering Kelce, don't expect the Chiefs to simply try and spread the ball around. Alex Smith has been adamant throughout the season that he goes where the defense tells him, and often times that is within six yards of the line of scrimmage. With Donnie Avery potentially returning from a sports hernia this week, the Chiefs might have another weapon to go downfield with, but considering the Seahawks' secondary, tight ends and backs will be premium receivers for Smith.

3. Jamaal Charles vs. Seattle run D

Charles is one of the best running backs/players in football, and goes against a stout defensive front in Seattle. Last week, Charles took 14 carries against the Bills for 98 yards and a touchdown. This week, Charles gets a Seahawks team that ranks tied for first in yards per attempt allowed at 3.2. Seattle has also forced more fumbles on run plays than any team in the NFL with eight. The Seahawks have been able to take away other top backs this season, holding Eddie Lacy to 34 yards and Alfred Morris to 29 yards.

However, Seattle will be without defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who tore his hamstring last week and is lost for the season. The Chiefs best offensive lineman is Rodney Hudson, so it makes sense that Reid will try to run up the middle behind fullback Anthony Sherman. Sherman is one of the more underappreciated players in football, earning himself a three-year extension. Whoever wins this battle of the trenches will have the upper hand in a game featuring two teams who don't have explosive passing attacks.