The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open the season on Thursday September 4th against the Green Bay Packers in Seattle, with the rest of the league kicking off the 2014 season on Sunday, September 7th and Monday, September 8th. As the NFL unveiled the 2014 schedule late Wednesday night with an ESPN extravaganza, prognosticators everywhere began their speculation of the 17 week march to the playoffs. So, let’s take the opportunity here to look at the Seahawks schedule and make some early predictions, with the caveat that weird things can happen in the NFL.
Week One – At home against the Green Bay Packers
This is a classic offense versus defense game. In 2013, the Packers ranked 6th in the NFL in passing, even with Aaron Rodgers missing a chunk of playing time, while the Seahawks ranked first in the league in passing defense. While I don’t anticipate the one sided tilt that resulted from a similar match up with Denver in the Super Bowl, I do give the nod to Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks 1-0
Week Two – On the road against the San Diego Chargers
It’s the Chargers. They always stink early in the season and then mount a herculean comeback in December to either eek into the playoffs or just miss. I’m going with the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks 2-0
Week Three – At home against the Denver Broncos
Week three of the season sees a Super Bowl XLVII rematch as the Broncos seek some revenge in the Pacific Northwest. The Broncos have made some nice off-season moves, realizing their window for winning the Super Bowl closes a little more as Peyton Manning’s neck ages. The signing of ex-Cowboy DeMarcus Ware and the promise of a full season from Von Miller should improve last year’s 27th ranked pass defense. But that still leaves the Broncos with just 11 men on the field, whereas the ‘Hawks always have a 12th man. Look for a win at home for the defending Super Bowl champions here.
Seattle Seahawks 3-0
Week Four – Bye Week
I don’t like the early bye week. This means thirteen straight weeks without a break (more if they don’t earn a playoff bye). Look for at least one unexpected loss going forward, perhaps late, due to either injuries or mental fatigue.
Week Five – On the road against the Washington Redskins
The Redskins should show improvement over last season’s 3-13 mark with a new coach, the addition of dynamic playmaker DeSean Jackson, and a healthy RGIII. But the NFC East should suffer tremendously from this season’s matchup with the NFC West. I look for the Seahawks to take this Monday night game and improve to 4-0.
Seattle Seahawks 4-0
Week Six – At home against the Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys remain a mess and still need to shed cap space even after releasing DT DeMarcus Ware and WR Miles Austin. As long as Jerry Jones insists he’s the best choice for GM, this team will continue to be mediocre at best. I look for the Seahawks to crush the Cowboys at home.
Seattle Seahawks 5-0
Week Seven and Eight – On the road against the St. Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers
Make no mistake. The Seahawks could lose both of these games. Everyone knows that stat about west coast teams travelling east to play the early game, and both of these games are the 1 p.m. EST starts. The Rams are improving. Last year’s 7-9 record included 1-5 against NFC West rivals, so these are the big games the Rams have to win. The Panthers need to replace Steve Smith, but look for Cam Newton to continue to mature. I’m going to be optimistic and say the Seahawks split these two games.
Seattle Seahawks 6-1
Week Nine – At home against the Oakland Raiders
For the first time in almost two decades, the Raiders seem to have some direction, having traded the last draft pick ever made by the late Al Davis in Terrelle Pryor to the Seahawks for a 7th round pick and placing their faith in Matt Schaub to presumably groom a young quarterback to be drafted in a few weeks. They may have a direction but right now the talent isn’t up to par with the ‘Hawks. Seattle should win easily.
Seattle Seahawks 7-1
Week Ten – At home against the New York Giants
The Giants have to better than last year, but just not better enough to beat Seattle in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks 8-1
Week Eleven – On the road against the Kansas City Chiefs
After a 10-0 start to the 2013 season, week 11 saw the beginning of a skid for the Chiefs where they would lose 5 or their last 7 games. But, last year that skid began in Denver. Here, in week 11, at home, I expect a tough game with the Chiefs winning a close one.
Seattle Seahawks 8-2
Week Twelve and Week Sixteen – At home and on the road against the Arizona Cardinals
Week Thirteen and Week Fifteen – On the road and at home against the San Francisco 49ers
Week 12 of the season begins a five week span where the Seahawks will play home and away against both NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. I look for a split with both of these teams.
Seattle Seahawks 10-4
Week Fourteen – On the road against the Philadelphia Eagles
This game is sandwiched in between highly emotional road and home games against the 49ers. I think this could be the letdown I suggested above.
Seattle Seahawks 10-5
Week Seventeen – At home against the St. Louis Rams
The ‘Hawks wrap up the season with a home win against the Rams.
Seattle Seahawks 11-5
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