Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2012

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin (51) during the game against the New York Jets at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Well here we are after the long late season bye week, the Seahawks are looking to finish the 2012 season strong and push for a playoff spot. So far this season the Hawks have had a lot of up and downs but as of late they seem to finally becoming more consistent. This year we have figured out the long awaited Quarterback of the future Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch has again been in Beastmode, and the Defense has lived up to the hype. The Seahawks are 6 and 4 and with 6 games remaining they have a strong chance to make the playoffs as at least a wildcard team. The Hawks have 3 games on the road and 3 games at home where they have been unbeatable officially (Green Bay Game). Here is how I see the last third of the Season breaking down for the Hawks and where they will stand.

• Week 12 Seattle at Miami November 25 (Seahawks wins 27-10)
  The Seahawks have struggled on the road this year but as long as the Hawks can pressure Miami’s rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill we should be able to pull this win out. Miami’s offensive line has struggled this year and with a lack of strong receivers that can win one on one match-ups Tannehill should struggle to find open receivers quickly. Sherman and Browner will jam the smaller Miami receivers at the line and this should make for a long day if you are Miami fan. Miami’s defense has been there bright spot but they will struggle to get off the field against Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks power running attack.

• Week 13 Seattle at Chicago December 2 (Chicago wins 17-13)
  Again the Seahawks have struggled on the road this year and this should be a great pre-playoff test. Chicago has struggled lately against teams that can put pressure on the quarterback which the Hawks can do. The Seahawks will put double coverage on Brandon Marshall all day hoping to slow down the Big Bears receiver. The Bears have been successful all season when their defense is able to create turnovers and turn them into points. The Seahawks will have to be smart with the ball and not allow the Bear to get a two possession lead. Marshawn Lynch will need to be able to break a run or two and force the Bears to put 8 in the box to slow him down thus opening up the field for Wilson. In the end as much as I hate saying it the Bear will win this game because they are at home.

• Week 14 Arizona at Seattle December 9 (Seattle wins 34-10)
  This will be a revenge game for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. The Hawks dominated the week 1 matchup except for one drive that Kolb came in on and then the Hawks were unable to punch the ball in from inside the 5 yard line at the end of the game. Nobody knows who will be the quarterback for the Cardinals, they have named three different starters all season not just due to injury either. With the Seahawks returning home after not playing at home in almost a month they will dominate the line of scrimmage putting the Cardinals in a early hole that they will not be able to dig themselves out of. The Cardinals have a strong defense but with injuries mounting and a porous offense they will not be on the sidelines for very long. A tired defense equals yards and touchdowns for Marshawn Lynch. Don’t be surprised if you see a trick play or two in this game to put this game out of reach.

• Week 15 Seattle at Buffalo December 16 (Seattle wins 24-14)
  This game although on the road will come down to the Seahawks ability to shut down the Bills rushing attack. If the Hawks can slow down the speedy C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson this will force Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw the ball and that scenario will not pan out well for Bills fans. The Seahawks should be able to use all of their offensive weapons to spread the Bills out and gut out a win in the frigid Ralph Wilson Stadium. Seattle should dominate this game as long as they show up to play on the road.

• Week 16 San Francisco at Seattle December 23 (Seattle wins 17-14)
  I am now predicting a month away but as things stand the 49ers may be starting the young Colin Kaepernick and this should not go well for him in a hostile stadium like Century Link. Seattle lost a close game earlier in the season on the road to the 49ers much like they did to each divisional opponent’s in the first half of the season. The Seahawks are not the same team at home as they are on the road. The Hawks will use their pass rush to force Kaepernick to get the ball out quickly and Harbaugh should be yelling by halftime about how physical our corners are. This game could be a huge game late in the season with Playoff implications. Seattle needs to win if they want any chance of having a home game in the Playoffs.

• Week 17 St Louis at Seattle December 30 (Seattle wins 31-10)
  When the Seahawks lost to the Rams in week 4 the Rams did not score a offensive point, they scored on field goals and fake field goals. The Seahawks will look to shut Steven Jackson down in what looks to be his last game as a Ram. By shutting down Jackson it will force Sam Bradford to beat the Hawks through the air and our bigger stronger corners will not allow Danny Amendola to beat us (if he is healthy). As long as Wilson plays smart we should have no problem finishing off our 2012 regular season on a winning note against the inferior Rams.

Season Predictions
All in all I am predicting the Seahawks to finish 11-5 (I am trying not to be bias) which would at least give them a shot to win the NFC West. The 49ers still have to play the Saints, Patriots and Seahawks (all on the road). This has been a year that has been and will continue to be exciting as Pete Carroll and John Schneider put their plan into action. We as the 12th man finally see what is becoming of this Seahawks team that we love so much, and the future is now…