Can the Seattle Seahawks go 19-0 in 2015?
By Thomas Oide
The “I’m-pretty-sure-but-anything-can-happen games”
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates after the Ravens
After the aforementioned six games, things get considerably tougher for the Seattle Seahawks. The road to another NFC West championship will not be easy, and completing a perfect season will be even tougher.
10. Carolina Panthers, Week 5
I like the Panthers’ defense and their cornerstone players–Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton, but on paper, it looks like the offense will sputter at times again.
Instead of taking a receiver who can take the top off a defense to pair with Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers opted for Devin Funchess, a plodder who is more of a possession receiver than anything.
Cam and the Panthers will surely give the Seattle Seahawks tough, physical fight, but it won’t be nearly enough.
Verdict: WIN
9. Detroit Lions, Week 4
While the loss of Ndamukong Suh is a huge blow to the Lions’ defense, their offense still has the capability to light up scoreboards.
Even with the brilliance of the Legion of Boom, the combination of Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate will be hard to stop.
However, it’s also highly unlikely that the Lions’ weakened defense will be able to prevent Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Graham and the rest of the Seahawk offense from getting into the end zone.
Verdict: WIN
8. St. Louis Rams, Week 16
The final two weeks of the season will be tough for the Seattle Seahawks, and they will have to figure out a way to beat the Rams and home before heading on the road to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
With a scary defensive front led by Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, a solid linebacker corps with James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree, and a secondary led by T.J. McDonald, the Seahawks will not have an easy time scoring, even at home. This game will be even more difficult if the Seahawks inexperienced line doesn’t jell by the end of the year.
But even though this game looks difficult on paper, it’s hard to bet against the Seahawks, especially at home at the end of the regular season
Verdict: WIN
7. Arizona Cardinals, Week 9
Last season, the Seahawks trouced the visiting Cardinals 19-3 at home, and it started a magnificent run towards a playoff berth, when many (including me) believed the Seattle Seahawks were down and out.
However, the Seahawks did play this Cardinals team with Drew Stanton at quarterback, who is nowhere near the level of Carson Palmer. If Palmer returns and stays healthy throughout the year, even with a suspect group of wideouts, the gunslinger will challenge the Legion of Boom.
Expect Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense to outduel the Cardinals at this one, especially considering they will be at home.
Verdict: WIN
6. At Baltimore Ravens, Week 14
This has the makings of being a deceptively tough game for the Seattle Seahawks.
In the offseason, the Ravens added secondary depth by signing Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington to pair with Matt Elam, Will Hill and Ladarius Webb. That should only help their front seven, which features standouts such as Timmy Jernigan, C.J. Moseley and Elvis Dumervil.
On top of that, Baltimore is not an easy place to play in, but again, I wouldn’t bet against the Seahawks late in the year.
Verdict: WIN
Next: Number Five