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NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Seahawks at the top, mostly

By Dan Viens

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There are certainly questions surrounding the potential of the 2015 Seattle Seahawks, but according to NFL Power Rankings released by most the major sports/news outlets this week, they still begin the season as the prohibitive favorite to take home another Lombardi Trophy.

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Despite an offensive line in flux, Earl Thomas’ injury and Kam Chancellor’s holdout, the Hawks are seen at the top of nearly every preseason Power Rankings list, with one oddly predictable and notable exception…

Here’s a look at the major lists, with the Hawks ranking and an excerpt justifying their selection.

Keith Myers – 12thmanrising.com:  Seahawks rank #1

"Seattle’s defensive front seven is scary good and incredibly deep. League average offensive production should get them to at least 13 wins."

Hub Arkish (Editor of Pro Football Weekly) chicagofootball.com: Seahawks rank #2

"Fred Jackson gives Russell Wilson another offensive weapon."

Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports: Seahawks rank #1

"What would Chancellor gain by sitting out the season? I can’t see it happening. The Seahawks will get him back at some point."

Dan Schneier – Fox Sports: Seahawks rank #1

"The Seahawks’ secondary could take a step back in 2015, but it will be offset and then some by a more efficient and explosive passing offense. (Schneier specifically notes the addition of rookie WR Tyler Lockett here.)"

ESPN.com staff: Seahawks rank #1

"The Seahawks are returning most of the key pieces of a defense that has allowed the fewest points in the NFL for three straight seasons."

Elliot Harrison – nfl.com: Seahawks rank #1

"The Seahawks leapfrog the Pack following Jordy Nelson’s ACL tear. With back-to-back Super Bowl trips under the belt, they can make the claim as the premier team in the league."

Pete Prisco – cbssports.com: Seahawks rank #9

Wait, what?! 9th? NINTH?!?!?! Know that Prisco has a reputation as being a Seahawk hater, although I typically think that’s overblown. He takes a lot of heat from Hawks fans for not thinking Russell Wilson is an elite QB worthy of the type of money he recently signed for. Here is part of his assessment of the 2015 edition:

"The uncertainty up front of the offensive line is a major concern. The addition of Jimmy Graham might be able to compensate for it. We know the defense will be good — if the starting secondary is on the field."

Interesting to note that Prisco has the Arizona Cardinals at #6 despite their perrenial offensive line issues, and has Pittsburgh at #4 despite top playmakers Le’veon Bell and Martavis Bryant suspensions and the Steeler defense is a shell of it’s former self.

I liked this take:

Perhaps it is, but I’m sure it’s getting Prisco a lot of page views as we speak.

I’ll check back throughout the season to see how the consensus develops after we start playing games for real.

Next: Has Kam Chancellor damaged his reputation?

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