Seahawks to start Matt Hasselbeck vs. Saints

Matt Hasselbeck will be the starting quarterback Saturday when the Seattle Seahawks host the New Orleans Saints in the NFC playoffs.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll announced after practice Thursday that they were going with Hasselbeck. Carroll said he told Hasselbeck on Monday he would be the starter, but needed to see how the quarterback was in practice after missing most of last week with a hip injury.

Charlie Whitehurst started last Sunday against the Rams and helped the team to a 16-6 win that clinched the NFC West title.

Carroll is going with the more experienced Hasselbeck in the playoffs. He has nine career playoff starts and has led Seattle to wins in its last four home playoff games.