How the Seahawks Can Get Back to the Super Bowl
By Luke Allen
Winning the Super Bowl in the 2013 season was probably the most exciting time to be a Seahawks fan. What 12’s want now is another Lombardi.
Here’s how it can happen.
The defense must stay healthy
The injuries the secondary suffered last season, including injuries to starters Kam Chancellor, Deshawn Shead, and Earl Thomas had extreme effects on the team last season.
The defense looked completely out of sync when just one of those guys was out with injury. Thomas missed four games, and the defense suffered mightily.
If the Legion of Boom can stay healthy, the Seahawks have a legitimate shot of reaching the big game in February.
Russell Wilson must play with the recklessness he did in seasons past
Russ did not take any chances last season. Mostly due to injury concerns, the mobile Russell Wilson wasn’t very mobile.
He slid when he usually spun, he threw it away when he usually scrambled, and he took sacks when he usually evaded them.
A major concern of mine is Wilson has adopted a new attitude of keeping himself healthy for the sake of his contract and injuries rather than being reckless and taking chances like he did a few seasons back.
If he gets back to his prior form, the Seahawks will certainly be back on track
Justin Britt must take control of the offensive line
Britt showed what sort of center he can be in this league last season.
He proved he can block and protect and make great calls. However, what we didn’t really see was leadership.
It is his offensive line. He is the signal caller, the middle of the line. The play starts with the ball in his hands.
If he can hold young guys accountable for doing their part, the offensive line can take a huge step forward. That leap forward could spring them straight to Minnesota in February.
The ground-and-pound run game needs to make a comeback
Ever since the departure of Marshawn Lynch, the run game has been lackluster.
Newly acquired Eddie Lacy looks to provide a spark to the run game, but it all starts with the offensive line.
If the O-line can provide holes for Lacy, Thomas Rawls, and C.J. Prosise, the run game can be potent.
Lacy appears to be in shape to tote the rock as the featured back in 2017, but the supporting cast of Rawls and Prosise should be a fantastic one-two-three punch for the run game.
If the run game is strong, it’ll open up the passing game where we know Wilson can get the ball to his playmakers.
That sort of balanced offense is what it’ll take to make it back to the Super Bowl.
Related Story: How much talent do the Seahawks really have?
The Seahawks need a chip on their shoulder
The good news here is they may already have it.
The Seahawks have been the butt of the Super Bowl XLIX jokes since 2015, and we know it’s not sitting well with them.
As well as dirty articles written about specific players, I believe the ‘Hawks have a lot to prove this season. They certainly have a bigger chip on their shoulders than they did last season.
If the Seahawks are hungry enough, they have enough talent to win the NFC and play in the Super Bowl.
It’s all mental for them. They must want to win. They cannot be content with losing in the divisional round and going home with all their money and living their lavish lives.
They have to want to win, they need that giant chip on their shoulders they had in 2013.