Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced after Thursday's practice that Matt Hasselbeck will be the team's starting quarterback for their wild-card playoff game against the Saints on Saturday.

Hasselbeck hurt his hip in Week 16, forcing him to miss last Sunday's division-clinching win over the Rams. Backup Charlie Whitehurst filled in admirably for Seattle, throwing for 192 yards and a TD in the victory.  

Earlier this season, Hasselbeck threw for 366 yards in a 34-19 loss to the Saints in New Orleans. The Seahawks starter has a 4-5 career record in postseason play.

The way we see it

This was a smart call by Carroll, going with the veteran Hasselbeck in such an important game, especially given his prior success vs. New Orleans. Whitehurst is a capable backup if the starter gets hurt again, but is likely not ready to handle the pressures of playoff football.