Predicting the Seahawks 2016 record

5 of 5

Jul 28, 2016; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball during the training camp at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

WEEK 13 – CAROLINA PANTHERS AT HOME

The Seahawks want this one, bad. They had the Panthers on the ropes last year before a late-game defensive meltdown. That won’t happen this time around. Seattle’s secondary will be vastly better than the one that featured Cary Williams last year, and a defense still trying to learn to communicate new DC Kris Richard’s calls.

It’s another marquee game. It’ll go the home teams way.

SEAHAWKS WIN (10-2)

WEEK 14 – AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

This is another game that could have major playoff implications, although I suspect the Packers may not be as good this year as many are predicting. Major issues on defense and the specter of PED investigations hanging over their heads.

But it’s still Aaron Rodgers, with Jordy Nelson and a reportedly revitalized EddieLacy back in the fold. And it’s Lambeau Field.

I’m calling the Hawks to go 13-3. That 3rd loss has to come somewhere. (And I just gave away the big finish, didn’t I?)

SEAHAWKS LOSE (10-3)

WEEK 15 – LOS ANGELES RAMS AT HOME

This is a huge final 3 game stretch when the Hawks will be battling for the #1 seed in then NFC, and face their 3 division foes to finish out the regular season.

This will almost certainly be a Jared Goff game, his first visit to the Clink. It won’t end well for him.

SEAHAWKS WIN (11-3)

Jun 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws the ball during mini camp at the Arizona Cardinals Practice Facility . Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

WEEK 16 – ARIZONA CARDINALS AT HOME

For my rationale here, see “WEEK 7 – AT ARIZONA CARDINALS”…….. The two teams will likely split. This will be a Christmas Eve gift and should give Seattle the inside track at the NFC West crown and the conference’s #1 seed.

SEAHAWKS WIN (12-3)

WEEK 17 – AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

If all goes well, this will be a meaningless game. But as good as the Cardinals may be, Seattle might go into the final week needing to beat the 49ers to acheive all their goals.

They will.

SEAHAWKS WIN (13-3)

SUMMARY:

So the Seahawks finish 13-3, which should be good enough for the #1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage throughout. The way the schedule is stacked at the end, it’s going to be an intense and exciting race to the finish line. Pete Carroll teams have usually gotten better as the season progresses, but Seattle is helped this year by some favorable matchups in the first quarter of the 16 game slate. I see 13-3 as the destination. How they get there may look differently than I have it. I could easily see them dropping one of those difficult matchups against teams like the Jets or Bills, but then you can come back and make an argument they’ll win at Green Bay. Maybe they come out on top in New England but lose to the Falcons at home or the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay?

Next: Our fan guide for Seahawks training camp

Barring any unforseen setbacks, all signs point to this team being in the race for the top seed all season long. It’ll be such an intense battle at the top that 12-4 might even end up being good enough.

Let’s look back on this in five months and see just how well I did.

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