The Seahawks gained some momentum with a season-ending win at Tampa Bay while Dallas stumbled badly down the stretch, so we will back the Hawks as small home chalk here.

Yes it was only the Buccaneers, but Seattle had lost three straight games entering that contest and wanted to enter these playoffs on a positive note. More importantly the Seahawks are now as healthy as they have been all year and Shaun Alexander is looking more like himself with each passing week. Also do not underestimate the valuable post-season experience that this team gained while going to the Super Bowl last season.

The Cowboys were a popular Super Bowl selection just a few weeks ago, but my how times have changed! Dallas lost three of its last four games with the only win coming vs. an equally reeling Atlanta team, and quarterback Tony Romo is finally starting to show his inexperience. The last two weeks were particularly telling, as the Cowboys blew a chance to clinch the NFC East with a home loss to the Eagles, and then sealed their wild card fate by again losing at home in the season finale, this time to a Detroit team that is the worst club in the NFC!

Play: Seahawks -3