Loading ...Why and How the Seahawks Will Still Win 10 Games
Even after an 0-2 start that some teams would consider disastrous, the Seattle Seahawks will still turn the season around and win 10 games, making the playoffs and likely winning the NFC West once again. Here’s why:
- The Defense: Yes, the secondary gave up some big plays last week, especially when they played zone coverage in the second half. But fear not, Seattle fans! The D is still one of the most talented units in the league from top to bottom and the turnaround starts next week against St. Louis. The defensive line has been physically dominant in the seasons first 2 games, and the linebacking corps is still one of, if not the, best in the league. The problems in the secondary will be fixed because all four starters and the nickle back are smart veteran players who can make adjustments when needed. John Marshall will watch the game tape and fix the holes that were left in some of the zone schemes against the Niners. I would not be surprised to see the team use more man coverage over the next few weeks.
- Mike Holmgren: After a painful period of experimentation, Holmgren found out what this offense is best at right now: Grinding it out on the ground while mixing in short passes over the middle to John Carlson and on the outside to Courtney Taylor. In the foreseeable future, expect the offense to look a lot more like it did during the teams’ 15 play 70 yard scoring drive in the third quarter of last weeks game than it did during the majority of the first two contests. Holmgren is still one of the leagues best offensive coaches and now that he has a formula to work with, expect him to refine it to perfection while he waits for Deion Branch and Bobby Engram to get healthy. The addition of Koren Robinson is also intriguing, because if he can return to form physically his knowledge of the offense will allow him to immediately become a threat over the top.
- Matt Hasselbeck: Though he has had two sub-par performances, by the end of the game against the Niners Hasselbeck was showing good chemistry with Carlson, Taylor and even Billy McMullen. Hasselbeck is a quarterback who needs to be really comfortable with his targets, but once he establishes a connection with them he will again prove himself as one of the leagues best passers. The addition of Robinson is also interesting in Matt’s case, because they have played together previously and hooked up for 143 completions and 9 TD’s over the ‘02 and ‘03 seasons. I don’t think we’ll see the same period of adjustment between Hasselbeck and Robinson that we have between Matt and the other new receivers on the team, and the ‘Hawks might have themselves a legitimate deep threat very soon.
- Tim Ruskell: All Seahawk fans should have an inherent trust in Ruskell, but many of them don’t. The man has built a team that won 32 games over the last 3 years, and he obviously knows NFL personnel like few others. In the face of adversity, Ruskell will make the right moves to keep the ship afloat. He surprised everybody by brining back Robinson when the prevailing theory was that Korens’ bridges were burned so badly he would never even set foot in Seattle again. He made a trade for Keary Colbert, a guy who has top-tier physical gifts and has twice caught more than 30 balls in his young career. Ruskell will not allow the team to fail.
- Julius Jones: Oh my word, a running back who hits holes hard and fights for extra
yardage! Jones is playing with a chip on his shoulder and he will continue to do so. As he bonds with his blockers, his numbers will only improve. Watching him against the Niners, he looked like a 1200+ yard back, and he is also the first every-down receiving threat the ‘Hawks have had out of the backfield since Ricky Watters. Expect Jones to keep a tight hold on the #1 RB slot, and if things continue to go well he may be looking at his first Pro Bowl.
So there we have five reasons why the Seahawks will still win 10 games even after this 0-2 start. Now we’ll move on to the remaining 14 games. Here’s how I see them shaking out:
Week 3 vs. St Louis: The Rams are probably the best team for the ‘Hawks to face right now. Talk about a team in turmoil…Scott Linehan’s job is on the line but he’s not a very good coach so he will not be able to get his team to respond. They’ve been blown out twice and there’s a good chance the ‘Hawks will drop 30+ on them. Win (1-2 overall)
Week 5 @ New York Giants: The Giants are looking like one of the favorites to win the NFC this season. While Deion Branch and Bobby Engram may be back for this game, they will not yet be at full speed and unless the defense really steps up it is unlikely that the ‘Hawks will be ready for a high-profile team like the G-Men. Loss (1-3)
Week 6 vs. Green Bay: If the Packers can beat the Cowboys this week they have a great chance to come in to this game at 5-0, and even if they lose they will likely be sitting at 4-1. You know Holmgren will be up for this game because it is likely his final contest against the Pack during his career as Seahawks coach. Coming in to this game, the Packers and new QB Aaron Rodgers will not have faced a defense that is anywhere close to Seattle skill-wise (the Cowboys do come in second so it will be interesting to see how the Pack performs against them) and the team will be chomping at the bit to avenge last season’s playoff loss. Win (2-3)
Week 7 @ Tampa Bay: While the Buccaneers do have a solid ground game and a good defense, they can’t match up to Seattle physically on either side of the ball. If Jeff Garcia is 100% then Tampa will prove a challenge for the ‘Hawks, but even with Garcia I don’t think the Bucs can win. Win (3-3 overall, .500 at last!)
Week 8 @ San Francisco: If you don’t think the team will be geared up for this game, you don’t know the Seahawks. They will be looking to avenge their week 2 loss to the Niners and by now the receiving corps should be at (or at least very close to) 100%, barring any further injuries. I predict a blowout, though a lot can happen in 6 weeks. Win (4-3)
Week 9 vs. Philadelphia: Though the ‘Hawks will be rounding in to form thanks to the returns of Engram and Branch, the Eagles will be firing on all cylinders and they will most likely be the healthier team. Loss (4-4)
Week 10 @ Miami: The Dolphins are an improving team and Chad Pennington is their first really decent quarterback seemingly since Dan Marino, but even at home there is little chance that they can stay with Seattle. Win (5-4)
Week 11 vs. Arizona: The ‘Hawks own the Cardinals. If not for a botched handoff between Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander last year, Seattle would be 6-1 against them over their last 7 contests. The Cards have looked good over the seasons first two weeks, but they’ve played the 49ers and the Dolphins, so not much can be said for the quality of their victories. Win (6-4)
Week 12 vs. Washington: By week 12 the offense will finally be firing on all cylinders, and even with a balanced attack on offense the ‘Skins won’t be able to keep up. Win (7-4)
Week 13 @ Dallas: A potential playoff matchup, in the regular season I don’t see the ‘Hawks going in to the Big D and beating the Cowboys. Loss (7-5)
Week 14 vs. Patriots: Matt Cassel will have more experience at quarterback, but the Seahawks are the more athletic and physically dominant team. This could qualify as a bit of a statement victory, though the absence of Tom Brady will ceratinly take some of the luster off of it. The ‘Hawks will need to be careful of Randy Moss, because he is the one player who could swing the game in the Pats favor. Win (8-5)
Week 15 @ Rams: By this time the Rams will probably have a new coach and will be looking to implement/fine tune their new scheme for next season. Win (9-5)
Week 16 vs. Jets: You KNOW Holmgren wants to beat Favre in what might be their last contest against eachother. With the playoffs on the line and the 12th man in full effect, Favre won’t be able to conjure up enough magic for a victory against his old mentor. Win (10-5)
Week 17 @ Arizona: By this time the playoffs will be clinched, and Arizona will probably still be fighting for a spot. The Seattle starters will likely rest unless the division title is on the line. If the starters play the whole game the ‘Hawks win, but I don’t think that will be the case. Time to rest up for the Wild Card! Loss (10-6)
So there you have it, 10 wins and a playoff birth. Heck, maybe even 11. Not too bad for a team that started 0-2, eh?
Comments
1. Defense was part of the reason for losing to Buff and San Fran.
2. Holmgren is worn out.
3. Hasselbeck has a bad back and no WRs.
4. GMs can’t do much mid-season in the NFL.
5. Julius Jones is good but he is unproven.
Seattle may well win the weak West but 10 wins is not happening.
quit living in denial, they lost their top 5 wide receivers and their top 2 running backs are maurice morris and dallas’ garbage julius jones.
7-9 at best, probably 6-10
Anonymous: Try watching the games before you make comments regarding what happened in them.
Justin: I do agree that the ‘Hawks are in a tough spot because actually it’s their top 6 receivers that have gotten injured (including Seneca). However, I still have faith in the team, partly because the NFC West sucks and partly because the ‘Hawks have great coaches and management. Also, Maurice Morris is injured but thanks for playing.
Ha ha ha, I laugh at you, why, because the seahawks are my footstools. A blowout in the rematch?!?! At least I got a good laugh out of it. Remember, plebes, The 49ers, the gold standard in football, are 5-0 in the Super Bowl, which no team can touch. Oh, wait, the Seahwaks, have they won 5 rings? They might fall just short of that mark. Don’t cry, seahawk fan, you still have dcoffee and bill gates! HA ha ha ha
This is a very possible situation. So far the ‘Hawks have gimped through two games against a good team in Buffalo (who just beat Jacksonville!) and a not so good team in San Fran. When they do get health, look for a balanced offense that will a.) take a lot of pressure of their D and b.) score a lot of points. Are the Seahawks in trouble right now? Sure. But are they already out of the playoff picture? They are far from it! Their schedule is too weak to not think Seattle can still make a comeback. We’ll see!
Man, I can’t agree with you more!!! I can’t stand bandwagon fans and this article was in all honesty EXACTLY what I was telling everyone since Monday of how things would shape up and why.
I would also add in that though that 3 of those big plays were due to missed tackles by LB’s… where they would get their fingertips on him and he would get out. 9-10 times, with them, it’s not happening!!! And I promise you, knowing Hill, Tatupu, and Peterson and how they play, WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN! When you give a guy 7 seconds to scramble… even Superman couldn’t cover a WR that long!!
Take away 3 big plays and that long drive and they would have about 150 yards. Not complaining, it happened and it’s over. We did lose and our 0-2 and deserve it. But people are looking beyond us now, and trust me, like you said… Don’t underestimate this team. They haven’t been in this position before and trust me they aren’t rolling over and dying after 0-2. NFC Champs are back this year, you can take that to the bank!!
Get over the Sb’s that you won 20 years ago. Has nothing to do this year. 11-5. Will no lose last game to Az due to the fact we will show them who is daddy in the West.
The 49ers escaped Qwest this time with a victory and the Seahawks will land on their feet as they have the last several years. They haven’t proven anything yet, the Rams are a mess and Warner will be hurt by season’s end, once again leaving Seattle atop the division. That’s five of the ten wins predicted above right there. Throw in wins against the Dolphins, Jets, Bucs and Redskins, all teams which they are better than and you have nine right there. After that you figure they should be able to beat either the Patriots, (who try to rekindle their playoff hopes by signing the Brady Bunch), the Eagles, (McNabb joins Tom on IR after T.O. gives him some payback), the Cowboys, (Romo and Jessica spotted with Tom and Gretchen at a Paris fashion show the night before game), or the Packers, (who finally come back from the land of make believe when they enter the Emerald City). Anyways, I see them winning at least one of those four games but most likely splitting them to end up 11-5. Oh, and Koren puts up T.O numbers by mid-season finally living up to the potential he was drafted for in the first place. Moss is doomed until Brady comes back to relive his Raider days.
To 5-0 baby, the last time 49ers won anything was when they won draft rights to Alex Smith, and they blew that also. Joe Montana is long gone,last seen bailing out to KC. They could always sign Hanna Montana, at least she’d be worth watching. Besides she is on the same channel as the 49ers already, so you’d not have to waste energy using the remote! What a win/win situation, huh? Anyways, you just keep on taking Bond’s leftover steroids, relish the five rings around your bathtub, and long for the days the bay area had something to root for. We’ll be sipping our latte’s and enjoying another run to the playoffs.
Against Dallas, GB, Philly, NE, NYG and TB — teams that are each much, much better than the ‘Hawks — you have them going 3-3.
In the other 8 games, you have them going 7-1.
Ridiculous. Utterly, utterly ridiculous.
8-8 would be a miracle, and might even be enough to win that awful division.
6-10 and thats stretching it. you sea chickens are done. 49ers back on top where we supposed to be.
Hey Hawk fans, I’m a 49er fan, but don’t worry, I am not going to bash your team. What the 49ers fans are saying just embarrasses me because Iknow we beat a hurt team, and that W counts for nothing. All it did was buy Nolan some time before he’s axed along with Lane Kiffin on the Raiders as the inept York/Al Davis play screw the football fan. I agree on the prediction, you could win 10 games. IF the 49ers take a dive as I see it to the AFC East, NFC East, maybe saints (but they’re hurting and Nolan loves to get a cheap win like that), then lose to you and then Arizona @ Glendale on Monday Night flop (wow, Arizona to put up 48 would be sweeeeeeet!), I don’t want Nolan in 09. Main part is LOSING to dump Nolan, he’s an embarrassment like that 5 and 0 49er fan. I’m not that high on JT and I hope the 49ers keep Alex Smith. If Smith has had no opportunity, he should not be a bust. JT is a job stealer.
Peace, and send Mike Nolan packing!
Look for me on this website I listed, I am PiersMorgan4949 and I am a realist 49ers fan. If that W came against the Giants’, that’s a huge win. But if it comes from a hurt team, that W don’t seem so right on the 49ers as you can and have a right to point out you beat a hurt team.
Hey hawkfan you say take away the 3 big plays and the long drive and they would have only had 150 yards. Why not be a true baby and say that if you take away every pass yard and every positive rush then the 49ers would have been negative in total yards? See doesn’t that sound better for you.
losses to Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants?
Cowboys is understandable, however thier safeties get beat deep, REGULARLY, that’s the key to a win there. Plus Romo has a history of poor performances in big games, and this just happens to fall on turkey day. Seattle has a legit shot.
McNabb will be facing the toughest D of his schedule, he’s be planted over and over again, he’ll be sent to the IR after facing us…Westbrook still keeps them in the game and I too could Seattle earning another loss, but again, legit shot.
Giants are aweful. Yes, they won last years SB…LAST YEARS. Thier defense has taken major losses, and now Plax is out of this game, thier 3-0 but against the Redskins, Rams, and Bengals…we’d be 3-0 with that schedule, I see the Giants as an easy win…anyone remember the last time we lost to the Giants? I’m assuming early 90’s, back in the Simms Era?
I say they win atleast 2 of those 3, however drop atleast one game that they should win, it’s just how they function. They’ll come up flat in an away game that they really have no buisness losing, and that’s probably a factor in the loss…Miami?
Either way, I agree 11-5. At worst 10-6, at best 12-4. By miracle, 13-3…Either way we’ll make the NFC Championship, I’d predict a win thier, but I’ll wait to see our opponent. honestly, Minnesota is my only fear, thier running game would shread us up.
Conor,
Great post, just found links to your site, and I will be checking back regularly. I also love the write up on the Rams game, and the Jone piece. Great work.
As for how our season shakes out, I like everything you said except that TB scares me. It’s on the wrong coast and we suck there. The only thing that would make me feel hopeful going into TB would be if we go back to NY and redeem ourselves for the week 1 atrocity in BUF.
If we can lay a beating on the Giants - and I don’t mean a win - I mean a beat down - like Vin Diesel said in Knock Around Guys - “We find the toughest guy here. I mean the worst guy they got, the guy all the other guys cross the street to avoid, and we glaze this tough guy. Give him the beating of his life, way past the worst he’s ever given.”
If we can do that in NY, then I will have confidence in the game in TB. Either way though 10-6 sounds good to me. If we lose to TB we beat AZ and 10-6 still sound completely attainable.
Glazing the Giants and Bucs, and winning in Dallas could actually have home field implications and that could *really* bode well. But I am an optimist, not delusional
So I will take our one win against the Cowboys in the playoffs.
Great stuff keep up the good work and I will most likely be back.
There is no way the Seahwaks beat the packers…
The sad truth is that one team from the lamest division in the NFL will make it to the playoffs, in recent years that has been Seattle. But the ‘Hawks are in a down phase, not even the biggest boy on the block in the NFC West anymore. I used to say ‘there are 3 reasons why the ‘Hawks make it to the post-season every year, STL, ARI, and SF’. Now it looks like they will have to rely on their 2 freebies from STL and some real football playing to make it. They will split games with ARI and SF and lose at NYG, TB, and DAL. Home losses to GB, PHL, WAS and NE will drive home the nail in the ‘Hawks coffin.
Midseason prediction 2-6
They can play .500 football in Nov/Dec but by then it will be too late. They finish 6-10 and the Cards are your new NFC West champs.
I am impressed with the Seahawks boosting here, but there is a decided lack of realism. The ‘Hawks are hurt, rather badly but getting an aging receiving corps up to snuff doesn’t change enough to lead to a 10 win season.
The ‘Hawks will lose the Giants next week. The Giants play in the toughest division in football, which battle tests them in a way that playing in the NFC West doesn’t. Seattle has to travel and that doesn’t bode well for the team from the PNW. Giants win a close one.
Pack wins another close one, in a shoot out due to a Seattle team that is 1-3 and under a lame duck administration. A quarter of the way through the season, the team will start wondering what the Mora era will look like.
Griese and the Bucs will force the ‘Hawks to sweat out a loss in the tropical weather of Florida as temps drop in the City by the Sound.
The Niners will have scrapped to a 3-3 record coming off of a loss in NYC, and will have something to prove against Seattle at home. SF brings in another close one, as the Seahawks lick their wounds and look toward Miami.
Philly knocks of the ‘Hawks with confidence as playing in the NFC East, gives a sense of accomplishment in and of itself.
Miami gets knocked around as Wildcat becomes a common novelty. The heat helps the fish out a bit, but the Hawks are feeling as angsty as an AIC concert in ‘93.
Arizona lights up Seattle in the beginning of the coronation of the new NFC power. Edge runs for a C-Note and Warner hits Boldin and Fitzgerald for a pair of TDs.
The ‘Skins (my team) avenge their previous playoff losses at Qwest. Getting into the WC offense rhythm over the course of the season playing the best teams in the NFL, has matured Campbell as he spreads the ball. Look for Portis to run and catch to the W.
The Cowboys tear the Seahawks faces off on national television to attempt to forget what happened when Romo botched the hold.
Still trying to figure out how to craft bionics for Brady, the Pats get stomped by the ‘Hawks.
Generating the first win streak of the season, the ‘Hawks beat St. Louis into submission…savoring the victory like a mean child enjoys tearing the legs off of spiders.
Favre sees his legacy in danger, and wanting to get some on his old mentor lights up Holmgren like the big tree in Times Square. The old gunslinger goes out on top of his mentor but his team ends around .500
By this time the Cards have clinched the division and want to protect Warner. They lose this game due to such.
‘Hawks finish 5-11 and look forward to the Mora era.
I don’t think these picks will be accurate, but they draw from the same deck of hyperbole as the OP. I do think that the ‘Hawks will lose all of their NFC East games, and likely the Bay games as well. That puts them at 8-8. The Jets, the Cards, and the Niners could very well be dogfights as well. Seattle has not looked impressive on either side of the ball, with Hasselbeck throwing more picks than scores…and the D looking rather porous.
Did you really say the Packers had not faced a D as good as Seattle? Did you not see who they played first game?
I think it is sad that niner fans bring up 5 championships they won a bunch of years ago. How has San Fran been in the last 5 years?… Seattle has DOMINATED the NFC West for a long while now and it doesn’t speak to great of your team that it took the 2008-09 Niners til overtime to be a beat-up receiverless Seattle offense…
some acomplishment…furthermore… Seattle is what some would consider under the radar.. we got some injuries out of the way early and are ready for are push…
13-4 easily…
13-4? Really? You do know that there are only 16 games in a season?
So with 13 games left on the schedule the ‘Hawks only lose 2 more? To whom might I ask?
The Eagles, Giants, Cowboys and Redskins play a more physical brand of ball that Seattle has seen thus far. I don’t see the Seahawks waltzing through this Division. I do think that the Beast will eat itself through its smashmouth style and likely injure one another rather badly.
Seattle needs to get back to what it does best, beat up on the Cards, Saints & Rams. It has one down, but there is a whole lot of football to play yet.
12-4 (I will offer the correction) may be possible for a team that had to juggle difficulty through the first quarter of the season, but not probable. There is not another break in the season for the ‘Hawks. Any injuries from here on out will tell the next week. Moreover with an aging receiving corps (Branch & Engram) they don’t tend to bounce back like youngsters do.
Good Luck Hawks in all games but the Nov. 23rd. I hope it turns out for you, but I don’t think it likely.
WOW! If todays results are any indication of what the rest of the ‘Hawks season will be like its gonna’ be a tuff row to hoe. They were absolutely blown out by the defending champ NY Giants who, honestly, haven’t done much this season other than beat up on a Skins team still coming into their own in the season opener, then roll over the scrubs of the league Rams (still just a game behind the ‘Hawks) in week 2.
Check out the game the Cards had versus the Bills. This is the same Bills who absolutely EMBARRASSED the ‘Hawks in their season opener, albeit in Buffalo. But still, it makes me wonder…
I live in Seattle, but pull for the Skins, and I have been following these guys (SEA) for years. Its obvious they are on their way out, and the rest of their division is starting to walk over and away from them.
I will modify my earlier post and say that I think their chances vs. GB at home have been increased due to GBs recent injuries, and they MIGHT have a chance on the road vs. TB (at first I didnt realize the TB game was a 5:00 PM EST start). But I now think a split vs. the 2008 NFC West Champion AZ Cardinals is less likely.
Dont look to the games vs. DAL, WAS, PHL or NE for wins.
The ‘Hawks can finish 7-9, and maybe even 8-8, but they MUST prove themselves vs. the Cards or they will be watching the playoffs from the sidelines.
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