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This week's matchup against division rival St. Louis is going to be a lot tougher than the last couple of years. The 'Hawks have won 10 straight aganst the Rams, and St. Louis is still a young team with a lot of improvements to make. But then again, so are the 'Hawks this year. Here's what I see being the biggest factors in this game:

"Runnin' down a dream." Can the 'Hawks find a runnning attack against a team that has played well against the run? My money says no, which means we'll have to continue relying on Matt's arm to move the ball downfield, with just enough Justin Forsett thrown in to keep the Rams off balance.

"O-kung all ye faithful" Our first pick of the 2010 draft class figures to make his regular season debut this weekend. If we're going to rely on the pass, he'll need to have good mobility to protect Matt's blind side. It'd be great if his presence could help us more effectively run the ball as well.

"I'll pass." Speaking of passing attacks, Bradford is starting to get pretty comfortable bck there, and the 'Hawks have the 30th rated pass defense. Earl Thomas is coming along well, but we have got to get pressure on the young QB and rattle him some so Thomas has some better opportunities for picks. In the two home games this season, the Seattle pass rush was great. But in Denver in week 2, Orton probably didn't even have to wash his uni after the game. Letting the young gun stand back there clean all day is probably not going to be the best way to go. Gotta hit him early and often, and make him make some mistakes.

"Action Jackson." It looks like Stephen Jackson isn't likely to play this week, but I'm not sure that'd be a big issue anyway. Through three games, the Seattle run defense has been great. A groin injury to Jackson is going to limit him even if he does play.

We can't count on Leon Washington bailing us out in this one, but hopefully we don't have to. This will probably be a lot closer than we'd like, but this week I have faith in the 'Hawks to pull out another win against the Rams and make it 11 in a row.

Seattle 23, Rams 20