Seattle has held Cam Newton to one touchdown in three games since 2012. What has been the key to that?

Seahawks beat writer Terry Blount: Newton shouldn't feel too bad. The Seahawks have made a lot of very good QBs look bad the past couple of years -- Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl and Aaron Rodgers this year in the season opener, to name two. But the biggest thing is they've done what I'm sure the Panthers want to do to Russell Wilson -- cut off his running lanes and force Newton to beat them throwing. Newton had 12 carries for only 24 yards in the game at Charlotte earlier this season. Forcing any QB to beat them just by passing is a chore against the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL, which has three Pro Bowlers in Chancellor, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.

Newton has averaged 146 passing yards and 35 rushing yards in his last three games against Seattle. He has thrown one touchdown pass and one interception (total) in those three games. Daily fantasy players should look elsewhere for a strong quarterback play.

If there was any doubt, consider it extinguished. Teddy Bridgewater will be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2015.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made that clear, as part of his season-ending press conference Tuesday at the team's practice facility. Zimmer said the team was fortunate to learn as much as it did about Bridgewater, and his improvement throughout the year should be a sign of encouragement. Zimmer was asked if he'd talked to veteran Matt Cassel, who has one year remaining on his contract, about the possibility of taking a backup role.

He said that he hadn't, and then he gave the rookie his endorsement.

"Teddy is the quarterback, there's no doubt in my mind," Zimmer said.

Bridgewater finished with the third-highest completion percentage for a rookie quarterback, surpassing Russell Wilson's strong 2012 rookie season. Bridgewater also finished 10th in the NFL in deep-pass accuracy. And more than 75 percent of his passes found their target when he was under pressure this season, the best rate in the league. Bridgewater will be on the QB2 radar when 2015 drafts come around.

Against Cam Newton, it was Eagles outside linebacker Connor Barwin who was tasked with tracking the quarterback's every move. He said Wednesday it's likely he could be tasked to do it again Sunday against Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.

When asked about dealing with a mobile quarterback, Barwin said, "I'm sure that the spying will be part of the game plan."

Spying seemed to work against Newton, who rushed for six yards on three carries, but Colin Kaepernick managed 58 yards on seven carries against the Eagles. If Philadelphia devotes a player to containing Wilson's feet, then that's one fewer defender they have defending the pass.

Giants beat writer Dan Graziano on the team's inability to stop Russell Wilson in Week 10: What the Giants showed Sunday in Seattle was a complete inability to handle Seattle's basic zone-read run game. They bought the play fake every time, and the only time they stuck with the quarterback was when he did hand it off to Marshawn Lynch. If they'd gone into the game intentionally trying to make the wrong play on every zone-read play, they couldn't have done as good a job of it as they actually did. It was a fiasco.

49ers beat writer Paul Guitierrez on the team's use of the read-option this season: While there is no doubt that the read-option was a huge part of Colin Kaepernick's arrival on the national consciousness, it has been virtually nonexistent as a play call this season. Sure, Kaepernick is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and is on pace to rush for a career-high 530 yards, but his running game has been more threat than design, if that makes sense. It's all part of the Niners' desire to keep him healthy, obviously, and to make him more of a pocket passer. Still, given the way the Seahawks shredded the Giants' run defense, I would be shocked -- shocked! -- if the Niners shied away from pounding the rock with Frank Gore to set up the read-option for Kaepernick.

Russell Wilson rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown against the Giants, who showed a complete inability to play the read-option, so it would be a surprise if the 49ers didn't bring it back to get a win in New York. Kaepernick is rushing for a career high 33 yards per game (which is slighly above his career average), but against the Giants he could double that number if the team is willing to use the read-option.

Tony Moeaki (6-3, 250lbs) signed for the Seahawks today — a former third round pick in 2010 drafted by Kansas City.

Russell Wilson has to have someone who can create a mismatch in the red zone. He needs to know he’s got a linebacker matched up against a big target. He needs that second or third read over the middle.

Moeaki has battled injuries since his 47-556-3 rookie season for the Chiefs. He'll get his chance to produce for the Seahawks, who seem intent on acquiring an athletic, pass-catching tight end.

The Jets have just agreed with Seattle to a trade sending WR Percy Harvin to New York for conditional pick.

This came out of nowhere. NFL trades are a rare occurrence, especially ones that involve a major name like Harvin. His departure opens up some snaps and targets for the other receivers on the roster, namely Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Ricardo Lockette. It's also a blow to Russell Wilson's stock, as he has one fewer explosive weapon in a passing game that is already struggling with the big play. Baldwin was a preseason 4for4 favorite, and he should be able to get his season on track as the team's most dependable receiver. Kearse will also have weekly sleeper appeal. As for Harvin, his usage may go up, but it's unclear if OC Marty Mornhinweg is creative enough to utilize him effectively.

Griffin's transition from gimmick offense to pocket passer was fully expected to feature a few bumps in the road. What has had us concerned since the preseason opener, though, is that the bad habits in his footwork and throwing motion seem to have carried over from last season's return from ACL surgery.

Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd this week, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski confirmed, after watching hours of preseason film, that Griffin's mechanics have regressed.

"They have regressed in the fundamental way of throwing the football," Jaworski said, via The Washington Post. "His throwing slot, his footwork, his inability to remain consistent in that."

We've been on the low side on Griffin for the entire offseason due to minor concerns about the knee and moderate concerns about the installation of a new offense. He has a very good receiving corps, and may very well work out his preseason issues during the regular season, but it's tough to draft him over (seemingly) more reliable options like Russell Wilson, Jay Cutler and Colin Kaepernick.