The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers clash on Sunday afternoon in one of Week 12's more intriguing matchups.The hype for this Super Bowl XL rematch is real.Another real aspect of this game is the fact that both participants are currently in the hunt for playoff spotsit should add to each team's sense of urgency and make for a memorable contest.Let's get right into what a winning Seattle game plan might look like.Offensive Game PlanLast week against the San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks achieved offensive balance by successfullyand consistentlyrunning the football with undrafted rookie running back Thomas Rawls.Seattle would be wise to enter this Sunday's game with the same mind-set.Why' In case you missed Rawls' dominant Week 11 performance, let NFL Media's Michael Fabiano explain:No arguments here.Rawls doesn't care what people call him, either, as long as the 12th Man is the one doing the nicknaming:"Whichever name sticks with me, Ill ride it out, Rawls continued to say in Bob Condotta's article in the Seattle Times.Most importantly, though, he gives the Seattle offense a dynamic rusher with speed, explosiveness and decent hands out of the backfield. At times, Rawls truly looks like a smaller and younger Marshawn Lynch on the football field.The Steelers defense is tough against the run, which will likely make for some ugly rushes during the course of the game. But even if this is the case, and even if Seattle falls behind, the team can't give up on trying to run with Rawls.In a losing effort against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10, Rawls and Lynch only touched the ball a combined 10 times.Yes, Seattle was behind for most of that game, but it still would've been better off sticking with the runthe 2015 Seahawks aren't a team that's going to do a lot of catching up through the air.With that being said, Rawls can't be the Seahawks offense's only producer on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson will look to get the ball to rookie playmaker Tyler Lockett early and often.It was a strategy that paid dividends for the Seahawks last week against the 49ers. Watch the way Lockett fights through (poor) tackles on his way to the end zone in the following highlight:Lockett's will to score isn't the only positive to take from that play.The play design helped Seattle's embattled offensive line by having Wilson get rid of the ball quicklysomething that will need to happen often against a Pittsburgh pass rush that has accumulated 28 sacks this season.The bottom line for the Seahawks on offense is that they can't panic in tough spots during this game. Seattle sticking with its planned rushing attack and taking advantage of open opportunities in the passing game will give it the best chance to win on Sunday.Defensive Game PlanWhile the Seahawks will look to run the ball on offense, the Steelers will look to air it out to their deadly group of receivers.The following highlight reel of the Steelers taking on the Cleveland Brownsin Week 10 is filled with examples of the big-play ability Pittsburgh's receivers bring to the table. It's also filled with a little too much Johnny Manziel; sorry about that.Skip to the 3:45 mark to watch receiver Antonio Brown catch a pass on a simple crossing route and take it to the house with his unbelievable speed:Brown is arguably the best receiver in the NFL.Statistically speaking, Adrian, he's actually the league's second-best wide receiver, behind only the Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones. Brown does have seven plays of 40 or more yards, however, and leads the NFL in that big-play category.Brown and fellow wideout Martavis Bryant are legitimate deep threats on every play. It's imperative that the Seahawks secondary prevents Pittsburgh's receivers from consistently breaking off big plays downfield.The Steelers' group of wide receivers is arguably better than Arizona's, which the Legion of Boom struggled with a couple of weeks ago. Sunday presents a fine opportunity for the Seahawks secondary to back up a solid Week 11 performance against a quality opponent.Key MatchupsThomas Rawls vs. Pittsburgh's Front SevenFor the Seahawks offense, this is the game's most important matchup.And although the Steelers have kept opposing rushing attacks to 55 yards or fewer in three of their last six games, their run defense isn't impenetrable.The following tweet makes an interesting case for Rawls' success this weekend based on that of Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West against the Steelers in Week 7. The Chiefs won that game by 10, although quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't play.Not only will it be important for Rawls to run the ball effectively but the Seahawks should pass the ball to him as well. Watch how effortlessly Rawls takes a short pass to the house in this highlight found on Seahawks.com.There's not much else to say hereRawls is the key to Seattle's offensive success.Legion of Boom vs. Antonio BrownYou could technically replace Antonio Brown's name above with any of Pittsburgh's receivers, but we'll focus on Brown since he's the team's leading receiver by a wide margin.In his incredible 2015 stat line, many numbers stand out.But maybe most noteworthy is that Brown has had 48 catches go for first downs this season. He is the Steelers' go-to target on third down, and the Seahawks defense better take note of it or the unit might be on the field for the majority of the game.That would be a recipe for disaster, in case you didn't know already.As far as the (un)lucky job of covering Brown, expect cornerback Richard Sherman to begin the game shadowing him. If that proves to be a mismatch, it will be interesting to see who becomes the next man up.It was written in this week's game preview that Seattle's No. 2 cornerback spot will be fluid against the Steelers. Cornerback Jeremy Lane returning from injury and last week's benching of Cary Williams in favor of DeShawn Shead add intrigue to one of football's most scrutinized secondaries.Regardless of who ends up covering Brown, he must do a good jobthe rest of the team will be relying on it.Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Seattle Seahawks 17Based on the way the Seahawks have played against quality opponents in 2015, it's hard to pick them as winners this week against the Steelers.But that isn't to say the Seahawks don't have a chance. If the trendy Rawls phenomenon continues, then the Steelers will have their hands full on Sunday. Rawls has the talent to be a difference-maker in gamesbut he'll have to show that type of talent and production on a consistent basis, and it must start this week.Rawls will have more of an impact through the air than on the ground, converting in tough spots for Seattle. Expect him to score at least once in this game.Pittsburgh will get off to a fast start, though, and the Seahawks' lack of offensive explosion will rear its ugly head once again this season. Brown and Bryant will combine for 150 yards receiving and two scores.If the Seahawks can obtain offensive balance, then they'll have a chance at the end to win this game. But with Pittsburgh coming off of a bye week, it should be expected that the Steelers will be well-prepared to handle the Seahawks' youth at running back and wideout.The Steelers emerge victorious on the road by a touchdown in what should be one of Week 12's best games.Ethan is a Seattle Seahawks Game Day Correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks coverage and musings about the NFL.
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