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NFL preseason prediction recap – a mixed bag

By Dan Viens

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s time to take a look at my NFL preseason prediction recap.

Just prior to week #1 of the season, the staff here at 12thManRising.com submitted a list of NFL predictions. I thought it would be fun to look back and see how I did.

Not surprisingly, I was much more accurate on my Seahawks predictions than I was for the rest of the league…..with one notable exception.

First, let’s see how I did picking the divisional winners:

  • AFCE: My Pick – Patriots
  • WINNER: PATRIOTS
  • AFCN: My Pick – Ravens
  • WINNER: BENGALS
  • AFCS: My Pick – Colts
  • WINNER: TEXANS
  • AFCW: My Pick – Broncos
  • WINNER: BRONCOS

More from Seattle Seahawks News

So I wasn’t TOO far off, although to be fair the degree of difficulty in the AFC wasn’t that high this year. No one could have seen the colossal collapse of the Ravens, and despite all their troubles the Colts still had a chance to win the division on the final weekend. 

  • NFCE: My Pick – Cowboys
  • WINNER: REDSKINS
  • NFCN: My Pick – Packers
  • WINNER: VIKINGS
  • NFCS: My Pick – Falcons
  • WINNER: PANTHERS
  • NFCW: My Pick – Seahawks
  • WINNER: CARDINALS

Oof….. zero out of four right. My Falcons picks was looking brilliant for five weeks, and then it wasn’t. I thought they would be the most improved team in the league but instead it was Washington. I ALMOST got the Packers pick right, but their loss to Minnesota on Sunday sealed the division win for the Vikings. 

And now for my Seahawks picks:

  • Regular season wins: 13
  • FINAL WIN TOTAL – 10
  • Lynch rushing yards 1,200
  • FINAL RUSHING YARDS – 417
  • Wilson passing yards: 4,000
  • FINAL PASSING YARDS – 4,024
  • Wilson rushing yards: 500
  • FINAL RUSHING YARDS – 553
  • Graham receiving yards: 800
  • FINAL RECEIVING YARDS – 605

Here was my comment at the time: “Wilson runs less, throws more, and has better weapons. Lynch tops out at 1,200 yards with Fred Jackson taking some of his load off.”

Obviously, my predictions for Lynch and Graham were derailed by injury, but I was remarkably correct with Wilson. Want to try and make the argument that Lynch’s injury forced the offense to evolve and resulted in Wilson throwing more? It’s a fair point, until you consider that the Seahawks still finished third in the NFL in rushing yards per game, while only attempting 24 fewer runs than they did in 2014.

We were also asked for a “random league prediction” and this is where I’m particularly proud of my answer:

I said, “The 49ers only win 4 games, earning a top 5 draft choice. Tomsula fired after one year, and biggest offseason topic in San Fran is will they draft a QB with their first pick?” Of course they went and ruined a perfect prediction by beating the Rams Sunday for their 5th win, which also cost them the 5th pick. After tiebreakers they’ll end up picking 7th. But Tomsula is gone, and Kaepernick is surely not in the teams long range plans anymore after being benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert mid season. There’s no question they’ll be looking for a young QB in the draft.

Next: Final NFL Power Index - Hawks on Top

There are still two predictions yet to be determined…….

  • AFC winner: MY PICK – Patriots
  • NFC winner: MY PICK – Seahawks
  • Super Bowl winner: Seahawks
    *First Super Bowl rematch in 22 years gives the Hawks a chance for payback

Let’s all hope I’m still right on this one.

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