Seahawks: game by game predictions for the 2019 season
Last year the Seahawks made the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. I see them coming back stronger in 2019 and this is how they’ll do it, game by game.
The Seahawks had a good year in 2018. They got back to the playoffs in a season many experts predicted would be a rebuilding year. They played exceptionally well in some big games, yet came out flat in a few puzzlers. I decided to make my own fearless and likely terrible predictions for every Seahawks game of 2019.
Bengals at Seahawks. This one is easy, as I already called for an easy Seattle win. As Rich Eisen reported on NFL Gameday, the Hawks haven’t lost at home in week one since they played in the Kingdome. That was literally in another millennium, let alone century or decade. Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf will torch the Bengals secondary. Chris Carson will shred Cincinnatti’s defense all day. On defense, Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah will lead a parade to Andy Dalton’s jersey. Joe Mixon will find it tough to find any room to run against Poona Ford and Bobby Wagner. Seattle will kick off 2019 in style. Seahawks 31, Bengals 13.
Seahawks at Steelers. The road gets tougher as Seattle travels to their second straight AFC Central opponent. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for the first time in five years in 2018. Two players that routinely brought them to the playoffs, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, are long gone. But James Connor and JuJu Smith-Schuster proved they were top-notch players. In his 15th season, Ben Rothlisberger showed he still has it as he threw a career-best 34 touchdowns. This game will test Seattle’s pass rush, but I see them as up to the task. Seahawks 27, Steelers 20.
Saints at Seahawks. The boys come home for one of their biggest games of the year. It may just be the third game of 2019 but it could have huge implications for the playoffs, as it’s the Hawks first conference game. If you don’t know what Drew Brees can do, you must be a lost cricket fan. He’s completed over 70 percent of his passes for the last three seasons, and threw more than six times as many scores as picks last year. Running back Alvin Kamara is a huge threat as a runner and receiver, with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage in each of his two seasons. Wide receiver Michael Thomas is probably the Saints most dangerous weapon, as he always seems to get open. But New Orleans has a porous pass defense. As much as I’d like to call a Seattle win, I see this as our first loss of the season in a shootout. Saints 37, Seahawks 33.
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Seahawks at Cardinals. Arizona made so many key changes this offseason, it’s close to a new team. They have a new head coach and new quarterback, but a lot of the issues that plagued them last year look the same. They gave up 425 points and were the easiest team to run against in the league by any measure. Expect a lot of Chris Carson et al in Arizona. That being said, the Cardinals always play Seattle tough and have given Russell Wilson fits. Last year Wilson only threw for 324 yards and one touchdown in both games combined. Nevertheless, I see Seattle exploiting rookie quarterback Kyler Murray and bringing a win back from the desert. Seahawks 25, Cardinals 13.