Patriots at Seahawks -- Week 6

Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle (FieldTurf, outdoors) 

When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Spread: Patriots by 3.5

Forecast: Low-60s projected at kickoff; rain likely (it is Seattle after all). 

Records: Seahawks (Overall: 3-2, NFC West: 0-2); Patriots (Overall: 3-2, AFC East: 1-0)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 7, 2008: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21; Oct. 17, 2004: Patriots 30, Seahawks 20. Series record: Patriots lead 8-7.

What matters: Staying undefeated at home. The Seahawks have played two home games this season and in both games -- against the Cowboys and Packers -- they were underdogs. Nothing will change Sunday as the Patriots are a 3.5 point favorite. The Hawks always thrive at home, but they seem to thrive even more when they're home underdogs. With the next two games on the road -- where Seattle is 7-20 since 2009 -- a win over the Patriots would be big.

Who matters: QB Russell Wilson . He hasn't exactly lit it up this season; his 75.3 QB rating ranks 27th in the league. However, Wilson has been impressive at home. The rookie starter has completed 61 percent of his passes and thrown three touchdown passes in two games at CenturyLink -- both wins -- for a QB rating of 105.8. Don't be surprised if Wilson has his best game of the season going up against a New England pass defense that ranks 30th in the NFL.

Key matchups: Seahawks defensive line vs. Patriots offensive line. The Patriots might have the NFL's No. 1 overall offense, but the Seahawks' No. 1 ranked defense won't be intimidated. Patriot QB Tom Brady might be the league's third-ranked passer, but he's been sacked 12 times this season, something the Seahawks can exploit. Seattle's 16 sacks -- led by DE Chris Clemons' 5.5 -- ranks fifth in the league. Brady isn't the only strength of the Patriots offense this year, though. New England will also bring the league's third-ranked running game to Seattle. But the Seahawks have the league's third best run defense. In short, get ready for a chess match of epic proportions between Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll.

Injuries of note: Starting G John Moffitt (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday. Moffitt was also inactive in Weeks 1, 4 and 5. DT Jaye Howard (foot) has also been ruled out for the second week in a row, which means the Seahawks could be thin when it comes to reserve defensive lineman. DT Clinton McDonald (groin) did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful for the game.

Inside stuff: This will be the first time -- and maybe the last time -- that Tom Brady plays in Seattle. The 13-year veteran was injured when the Patriots visited in 2008, and New England isn't scheduled to return to Seattle until 2020 when Brady will be 43.

Connections: Pete Carroll was the last coach in New England (1997-99) before Bill Belichick took over in 2000. Patriots WR Deion Branch might be able to recommend some good Seattle restaurants for his teammates. He played for the Seahawks from 2006-10.

Stat you should know: It's not often the NFL's No. 1 offense (Patriots) plays the league's No. 1 defense (Seahawks) this late in the season. The No. 1 offense hasn't played the No. 1 defense in Week 6 or later since 2007, when the Patriots No. 1 offense lit up the scoreboard in a 34-13 win over the Steelers No. 1 defense.

Record watch: With a 300-yard passing game on Sunday, Brady would tie former Seahawks QB Warren Moon for the seventh most in league history with 49. Moon spent two seasons with the Seahawks but played most of his career with the Houston Oilers.

Looking ahead: Win or lose, the Seahawks will have to forget about the New England game quickly. Seattle will have four days to get ready for a Thursday night showdown in San Francisco against the defending NFC West champs.

Prediction: Seahawks 24, Patriots 21

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.