Every football fan knows what the Seahawks have accomplished since Russell Wilson was named starting quarterback. This is a team in 2012 only Seahawks fans believed could make the playoffs. First of all, nobody liked their draft. Their first round pick of Bruce Irvin was highly criticized, as was their third round selection of Russell Wilson. Well, Russell Wilson has turned out to be a pretty nice player and holds a few records, so the pick was well worth it. The Seahawks weren’t expected to make the playoffs that season, and after starting 4-4, it didn’t look possible. The Seahawk would then go 7-1 the rest of the way, with their 7 wins coming by an average of 23.4 points. They would win their final five games, scoring over 42 points three times, including a 58-0 beatdown of the Cardinals. They would appear to be on their way to the NFC Championship game before a game winning drive by Matt Ryan and the falcons. The Seahawks lost 28-30.
The following season saw them capitalize on that success, going 13-3, finishing 1st in the conference and advancing all the way to the Super Bowl where they would beat the Broncos 43-8 in a game that was never in doubt. They won games with their defense and the leadership of Russell Wilson. That would continue in the 2014 season, where they finished 12-4, advanced once again to the Super Bowl, but lost to the Patriots 24-28 after giving up a 10 point lead and an interception on the goal line to seal the win.
Now the Seahawks are 4-4 going into the bye week and don’t look like the Seahawks of the last three seasons. They’ve lost all 4 games after giving up leads in the 4th quarter and three of those four losses were to undefeated teams (at the time), and a Rams team that looks to be on their way up. The Seahawks, when they come back from their bye week, will be playing 5 of their final 8 games at home, where they have been unbelievable. They’re 2-1 this season, but have been one of the best home teams in the NFL the last three seasons, going 8-0, 7-1, and 7-1. So, how will the Seahawks finish out the season? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out.
Week 10: vs Arizona
Last season, Arizona was leading the division up until the final week. The two times they played, the Cardinals were without Carson Palmer. This season, they have Palmer for the first meeting, who is 4th in the league in passing yards. However, Seattle is only allowing 186 passing yards a game, 98.5 rushing yards, and 17.5 points a game. Seattle’s total defense is ranked 5th in the league while Arizona’s total offense is ranked 3rd in the league. This game is in Seattle, where Arizona hasn’t played very well as of late. The Hawks have two weeks to prepare, and Russell Wilson loves playing in Century Link. This game should be close between two good teams, but ultimately the Seahawks will come out on top.
Prediction: Seahawks 28 – Caridnals 24
Week 11: vs San Francisco
Well, this game usually is exciting, but the 49ers are such a mess this season, that this game is only going to be fun for Hawks fans. This game has blowout written all over it.
Prediction: Seahawks 28 – 49ers 3
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is a rematch of Super Bowl 40, and Ben Roethlisberger is back. Seattle is one of the best rushing teams in the league with Lynch, Wilson and the emerging Thomas Rawls. But Pittsburgh is only allowing 97 rushing yards a game. That will be an interesting battle. Again, this game is at home and the place gets loud. Also, Seattle isn’t exactly fond of Pittsburgh, so expect the crowd to make a lot of noise. This one will also be a close game early, but ultimately Seattle will come out with a victory.
Prediction: Seahawks 21 – Steelers 10
Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
This game will be interesting. Minnesota allows over 104 rushing yards a game, and Wilson’s ability to scramble and create with his legs will come into play. Another interesting matchup is going to be Adrian Peterson against the Seahawks run defense. AP is 3rd in the league in total rushing yards, but again, Seattle is 10th in the league in rushing defense. However, Minnesota is 29th in yards per game offensively at the moment, and by this time, Seattle should be clicking on all cylinders defensively. Seattle again wins this one.
Prediction: Seahawks 23 – Vikings 12
Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens
This game looked promising at the beginning of the season, but the Ravens are now 2-6. But they only have a point differential of -24. The Ravens are in games, they just can’t close out. The Ravens have a few winnable games between now and when they host the Seahawks, such as games against the Jaguars, Browns and Dolphins. They also host the Rams, and that one could go either way. The Ravens will be missing Steve Smith though. The Ravens could be 2-10, or they could be 6-6. Either way, the Hawks should be able to take this one.
Prediction: Seahawks 26 – Ravens 13
Week 15: vs Cleveland Browns
Currently the Browns are -49 in point differential. This game is at home. The Hawks, at this point, have turned it around and are playing great football. This game should never be in question. The Seahawks are going to win this one and it’s not even worth discussing.
Prediction: Seahawks 28 – Browns 6
Week 16: vs. St. Louis Rams
The Seahawks are going to be out for revenge after their opening week overtime loss. The Rams now have Todd Gurley who is 5th in the league total rushing yards at the moment. But he’s going to be meeting a Seahawks defense who’s going to be, as mentioned earlier, clicking on all cylinders having won 8 straight games. This is another home game and the crowd will once again be a factor. St. Louis is 30th in the league in total offense, while the Hawks are ranked 5th in total defense at the moment, but that should change by the time these two teams meet again. The Hawks pull out another victory at home, but it’s close. The meetings between these two teams always are.
Prediction: Seahawks 21 – Rams 17
Week 17: at Arizona Cardinals
At this point the Hawks are 11-4, and 4-1 in the division, with a win over the Cardinals. Ultimately, this game should go to the Cardinals, who have also played pretty well at home. The Cardinals are currently 6-2, but after the predicted loss to the Seahawks, puts them at 6-3, they also have to play the currently undefeated Bengals the following week. That could put them at 6-4. After a relatively easy win against the 49ers puts them at 7-4, they have to play a Rams team that they already lost to earlier in the season. The Rams should beat them again, putting the Cardinals at 7-5. After beating the Vikings and Eagles to put their record at 9-5, they come up against the Packers. That should be a close game, and even though Arizona is at home, where they play pretty well, Aaron Rodgers pulls one out. The Cardinals are now 9-6. So even though the Cardinals do win this game, they would still be a game behind the Seahawks.
Prediction: Cardinals 24 – Seahawks 21
The Seahawks should finish 11-5, winning their division for the third straight season. We’ve already taken a brief look at how the Cardinals will finish, so let’s do the same with the Rams, who currently sit at 4-3.
The Rams are coming off a big defeat of the 49ers. But the Rams should drop one on the road to the Vikings next week putting them at 4-4. After that they have an easy two games against the Bears and Ravens, putting them at 6-4, before going to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. They should drop that one to put their record at 6-5. After beating the Cardinals, Lions and Bucs to put their record at 9-5, they meet the Seahawks who beat them and put their record at 9-6. The 49ers then play spoiler in the final game of the season to put the Rams at 9-7.
1. Seahawks: 11-5
2. Cardinals: 10-6
3. Rams: 9-7
4. 49ers: 5-11
Of course, this is all speculation, and things could turn out extremely different, and don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out the way they’re predicted here. This is just my take on the way the rest of the season will go. It’s going to be an interesting 9 weeks in the National Football League