PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 4

Is it a coincidence that the final four teams in our one-at-a-time power poll were the same as the final four teams from the 2005 postseason?

Maybe.

But the similarities end right now, since our No. 4 team is one of the top two from 2005.

The Seattle Seahawks.

We've heard the arguments.  The Seahawks will be more motivated because they feel like they got robbed in the Super Bowl.  They're returning most of their starters.  They re-signed Shaun Alexander. 

Blah.  Blah.  Blah.

All we know is that it's been 34 years since the team that lost the Super Bowl won it the next season.  And the team to do it was the 1972 Dolphins -- who also went undefeated.

We think the Seahawks will do neither, and here's why.

First, they fumbled left guard Steve Hutchinson by slapping on him the transition tag and not the franchise tag.  Hutchinson and the Vikings got together and crafted an offer that the 'Hawks couldn't match without guaranteeing the full $49 million payment over seven years.

Hutchinson had started every game for three straight years, and he helped to anchor the best left side of the line in football.

Running behind the spot where Hutchinson used to be is Alexander, who might have gone soft now that he finally has cashed in.  Indeed, it was the Seahawks' fear throughout Alexander's MVP run that he might lose his edge once he finds his money, making the team more reluctant to fill his pockets.

In the offseason, the club finally opted to pull the trigger -- and now it remains to be seen whether complacency has set in.

Elsewhere, the roster is essentially intact.  Cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper were released as expendable.   Safety Marquand Manuel is gone, but Ken Hamlin is back after a serious head injury sustained in an off-field incident caused him to miss most of the season.

The other issue at play here is the "bull's-eye" factor.  Last year, the Eagles were the big bird in the NFC, fresh from their Super Bowl run.  The Seahawks quietly and methodically put together a solid regular season and nailed down home-field advantage for the playoffs.  This year, teams will be more geeked up when squaring off against the 'Hawks, and that could be enough to ring up a few more losses than last season.

But home-field advantage is the key.  If the Seahawks can force the road to Miami to wind through the Pacific Northwest, the chances of a return trip to the Super Bowl increase.  If Seattle has to travel for the postseason, however, a sequel isn't likely.

Now for the fantasy grades.

Quarterback:  Matt Hasselbeck had a career year in 2005.  It was the first time his passer rating hit the 90s, and his 24-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio was his best yet.  But if Shaun Alexander takes a step back from his performance in 2005, it'll put more heat on the passing game.  Our gut feeling?  Hasselbeck will be a step below the "A" level.  We give him a B+.

Running back:  There's no way that Shaun Alexander matches the 1,880-yard, 27-score performance in 2005.  No way.  He'll still be solid, but not spectacular.  We give him an A-.

Wide receiver:  For all of the numbers generated last year by the passing game, there was no 1,000-yard receiver.  This year, Nate Burleson takes the place of Joe Jurevicius.  With Darrell Jackson already dinged up in the preseason, our guess is that the ball will get spread around again.  We give Jackon a C+ and Burleson a C.

Tight end:  Jerramy "Joey Porter's Biatch" Stevens had five scores last year, but his catches and yards were so-so.  He rates a C as tight ends go.

Defense:  Despite the overall success of the team in 2005, the defense was middle of the pack at best.  Let someone else in your league drafted them higher than they deserve to go.  C.