Dan Arkush (Pro Football Weekly) Key matchup: Patriots wide receivers vs. Seahawks cornerbacks.

In an intriguing game pitting New England’s top-ranked offense against Seattle’s top-ranked defense, this strength-against-strength matchup just might end up being the featured attraction this Sunday.

Tom Brady has the Patriots’ increasingly balanced offense operating on all cylinders, and in the 31-21 victory over the Broncos last Sunday, scrappy WR Wes Welker was back to being Brady's reliable workhorse, attacking Broncos slot CB Chris Harris early and often on the way to a huge 13-104-1 outing (15 targets).

Seattle’s defense, meanwhile, has not allowed a TD in the past two games. With head coach Pete Carroll making better defense on third down a top priority for the Carolina game last Sunday, the "D" responded by limiting the Panthers to 2-of-11 third-down conversions. ... Read more

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
• Andy Hart reports that clutch, 3-time champion Kevin Faulk announced his retirement Tuesday at a ceremony at the Hall at Patriot Place.
• The PFW staff breaks down how the Patriots played down the stretch against Denver.
• Paul Perillo tackles the Ask PFW mailbag: Running backs in focus.
• Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
• Conference Call Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Matt Patricia - Josh McDaniels.
• Kevin Faulk Retirement Press Conference. (35.39 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Moving on from Week 5. (3.34 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Patriots Monday on WEEI. (4.48 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Greg A. Bedard thinks the Seahawks defense will use Tom Brady & Co. as the ultimate measuring stick. So far they've shut down Romo (7 pts), Rodgers (12) and Newton (12).
• Karen Guregian points out the talent and effectiveness of Seattle's pass rushers.
• Christopher Price explains why this 2012 Patriots offense is just as powerful as the 2007 edition.
• Christopher Price thinks the Patriots won't run as much no-huddle as usual this Sunday against Seattle.
• Doug Kyed thinks the Patriots will need to use the no-huddle to find mismatches in the Seahawks' defense.
• Greg A. Bedard points out the fast pace of the no-huddle tired out the Patriots offense in the 4th quarter, along with the Broncos defense.
• Karen Guregian notes Kevin Faulk's main legacy is his dependability.
• Paul Kenyon tells us about Kevin Faulk's emotional retirement ceremony yesterday.
• Mark Farinella describes Kevin Faulk's retirement ceremony, and how Faulk's emotion and heart showed through.
• Chad Finn insists there's more good than bad with Stevan Ridley and hopes Belichick doesn't give up on him.
• Jim Donaldson believes winning the AFC East should be a breeze -- again.
• Mike Reiss addresses one of the primary areas of frustration for fans: DBs, technique breakdowns and turning for the ball.
• Mike Reiss looks at where the Patriots rank in key statistical categories after Week 5, and compares it with the Seahawks.
• Christopher Price charts the offensive opportunities for the skill position players Sunday.
• Christopher Price looks at the target breakdown for the NE passing game through the first five weeks of the season. Welker targeted the most so far.
• Christopher Price tracks which Pats defenders have done the best job of getting after the QB so far this season. Chandler Jones leads in hits, Ninkovich leads in sacks.
• Mike Reiss monitors the use of Tom Brady and the shotgun snap this season.
• Mike Reiss tells us how former Patriots are doing with their new teams through Week 5.
• Greg Bedard and Jermaine Wiggins break down Wes Welker's first TD catch of the season. (3 min. video)
• Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Patriots defense will run into a challenge against RB Marshawn Lynch; Josh McDaniels notes Stevan RIdley can correct his fumbling woes by continuing to work on his fundamentals; Alfonzo Dennard made some nice plays in his debut against the Broncos.
• Michael Whitmer Patriots Notebook: Patriots are bracing for a long, loud trip to Seattle; Except for the Bears, no team in the NFL has forced more turnovers than the Patriots; NE will be facing rookie QB Russell Wilson, who can make plays with his feet or his arm; Patriots lead the league in total offense, averaging 439.4 yards per game.
• Kirk Minihane grades the Patriots in his Week 5 Report Card. Wes Welker proves Belichick wrong.
• Mike Reiss shares some comments about what the AP Pro32 panel had to say about the Patriots in Week 5.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) Pats' no-huddle attack ahead of curve, but defenses catching up.
• Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Green Bay Packers need to adapt like the New England Patriots.
• Staff Report (ESPN Stats & Information) Patriots-Seahawks: A few numbers to note.
• Dan Arkush (Pro Football Weekly) Key matchup: Patriots wide receivers vs. Seahawks cornerbacks.
• The Season (NFL.com) A clash of kings: Tom Brady & Peyton Manning. (2.48 min. video)
• NFL Films Blog (NFLFilms.com) Best NFL Films shots of Week 5. (1.53 min. video) Brady makes No. 4 and Ridley makes No. 2.
• James Walker (ESPN) Stock Watch: AFC East.
• James Walker (ESPN) AFC Week 5 knee-jerk reactions.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB Tuesday Edition; Mail.