Seahawks make statement with convincing win vs. Saints

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field.(Photo Joe Nicholson USA TODAY Sports)

Story HighlightsSeattle becomes first NFL team to clinch playoff berth at 11 1 homefield advantage all but clinched

SEATTLE What a statement.

And when it was over on Monday night after the Seattle Seahawks dismantled the team that Sean Payton and Drew Brees represent 34 7 they merely walked off the field like a team expecting a lot more.

How fitting. They will save the big celebration for later.

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The Seahawks (11 1) needed the win to close in on the No. 1 seed for the playoffs that will ensure the NFC road to Super Bowl XVLIII will go through CenturyLink Field.

Yet with that formality handled in such resounding fashion Seattle seemingly achieved much more as it spanked the New Orleans Saints.

The Seahawks may have also issued a fresh reminder of intimidation. So this is what any team that is so fortunate (or not) to make it here during the playoffs will have to deal with.

BOX SCORE Seahawks 34 Saints 7

Russell Wilson. Houdini in a football uniform.

A deep hungry defense that attacks in waves.

Marshawn Lynch. The beast mode man.

A crowd aka The 12th Man that broke another record for decibel level.

What the secondary is weakened by the suspension of one starter and another out with an injury Their absence was barely noticed.

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One of the NFL's most explosive offenses with Brees as the trigger managed one touchdown and just 12 first downs.

Come here in January at your own risk.

The Saints can vouch for that. New Orleans which must now face another hot team in the Carolina Panthers on a short week with first place in the NFC South at stake hoped that it could win on Monday night to avoid a return trip in January.

Yet it turned out as another grim reminder of how the Saints (9 3) struggle when they leave the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Like the Seahawks the Saints are undefeated at home. But they are 2 3 on the road. And despite the improved defense and emphasis on upgrading the rushing attack they appeared no better equipped to handle a road playoff game than they were in the past.

This was proven early.

Not long after the Seahawks issued the first statement of the night by deferring after winning the coin toss and forcing a three and out the big play defense scored the game's first touchdown. Cliff Avril forced the Brees fumble that Michael Bennett returned 22 yards for a touchdown.

Then Wilson piled up the big plays while demonstrating that Rob Ryan's defense had no answers for the read option scheme and its assorted wrinkles. Wilson's two biggest first half completions to tight end Zach Miller for 60 yards and Doug Baldwin for 52 yards took advantage of busted coverages.

It was 27 7 at halftime. Ballgame.

Wilson is arguably the best young quarterback in the NFL and that's saying so much when considering Cam Newton Andrew Luck and even Robert Griffin III.

On Monday night there was no debate. Nor was their any question that the draft is an inexact science.

Wilson the 74th player selected in last year's draft has never lost at home.

This time he repeatedly foiled the Saints with his legs. Sometimes he scrambled on mad dashes off the read option. In other cases he slipped away from would be sacks. Other times he rolled away to throw.

Even when plays didn't work they worked like a deflected 8 yard TD pass to fullback Derrick Coleman that took a lucky bounce in the third quarter. It was that kind of night.

And now there is fresh film indication of just what lies ahead.

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