Analyzing the Seahawks 2012 Schedule
By Matt Church
The football season is over, so what do we do now? Focus on next year. Before we dive into the Seahawks 2012 schedule, we have to remember some things that we cannot take into account quite yet. After the 49ers’ complete 180 this season, we know that unexpected teams might be good next year. We also do not know the specific dates for the games, so possible injuries could be vital factors come game time. What about the draft? It’s still two months away. The Seahawks could even have a brand new quarterback next year. What we are left with are the statistics and observations from the previous season, which can maybe give us a general idea of how it is going to look.
And without further ado…
Home Opponents
Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
Away Opponents
Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
Let’s start with something simple first. If we were to project these games based on 2011 record alone, with the higher seeded team winning each game, the Seahawks would go 6-10. Give them their 2011 split with the Cardinals and their win against the Bears. They are now 8-8.
The Seahawks actually have the 6th toughest home schedule, with opponents combining to go 69-59 during the 2011 season. This includes three tough teams that ended the season with at least 13 wins. On the road, the Seahawks catch a break with an opponent record of 60-68. Notice that there are only two teams over .500 on the road schedule.
In 2011, the Seahawks were 4-4 in Seattle. To meet that quota, who would the 4 wins be next season? You have the Rams, Vikings, Jets? Cardinals? Could they even beat any of the other teams? They went 3-5 on the road, and that means the Rams, Bills, and possibly Dolphins. As we know, getting into the playoffs with a 7-9 record is probably never going to happen again. With the 49ers and even the Cardinals on the rise, the Seahawks will either have to win the division or get at least 10 wins and get one of the wildcard slots. 10 wins?! Looking at that schedule it looks pretty tough.
A big question in Seattle is the priority of getting a new quarterback. T-Jack is not the worst, but what if they ended up getting Matt Flynn or Kyle Orton from free agency? What about Ryan Tannehill as their first pick? We all should assume that they are going to stick the tag on Marshawn Lynch. Injuries on the O-line were a big factor this year. If the Seahawks remain healthy then we can see a totally different team from last year.
Here are a few quick notes on both sides of the ball. Defensively they are ranked only behind the 49ers and (surprisingly!) the Jets. On offense, they are practically dead last with the exception of St. Louis.
Hopefully you can see the difference between the offense and the defense. With a healthy Sidney Rice and a more prepared Jackson next year, maybe the tables can turn. The Seahawks surprised me this year with their wins against the Giants and Ravens, and I look forward to seeing them compete with some of the more elite teams this coming season. With that said, they still have a long road ahead to be considered a top club. The road looks tough, but I’m always a believer with this team.
Projected 2012 Record: 8-8