Seahawks: game by game predictions for the 2019 season

Seahawks hit the home stretch at 8-4. Can they make the playoffs?

Seahawks at Rams. This will be a crucial game that will likely determine the division winner in the NFC West. You know what the Rams will bring. Expect heavy doses of Todd Gurley and a lot of fireworks from Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. For once, I think the Hawks will be able to contain the Rams running attack. But the aerial assault will be too much for the Hawks secondary today. I expect Todd McVay will exploit one of Seattle’s rookie defenders once too often for the 12s liking in this one as the Rams secure the division lead. Rams 41, Seahawks 33.

Seahawks at Panthers. Seattle stays on the road with a bad taste in their mouth. Carolina is led by Luke Keuchly, the NFL’s second-best linebacker. Come on, you know who’s the best. On offense, Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey present unique challenges for Bobby Wagner and his crew. Regardless, Newton is just 1-5 against Seattle. He’s thrown five touchdowns and four picks and has a career passer rating of just 77.8. That’s nearly eight points below his career average. I expect another tight game like last season’s contest, and another Seattle win. Seahawks 26, Panthers 24.

Cardinals at Seahawks. The Hawks return to CenturyLink for their first of two division games. It’s true that Arizona has given Seattle much more trouble than they should have the past few years. It’s also true that their defense won’t be any better in week 16 than they were in week 4. Quarterback Kyler Murray should be much better here, as he’ll practically be a veteran by this point. Enjoy this one, 12s. It will be your last chance to see one of the NFL’s greatest players ever in person. Larry Fitzgerald is undoubtedly a better person than he is a player, and he’s a Hall of Famer. Today may be his day, but it won’t be the Cardinals. Seahawks 38, Cardinals 17.

49ers at Seahawks. The rivalry will be back after the Niners took the first meeting between the two in a close game. Seattle will have home-field advantage to play for, if not a playoff berth itself. I don’t know if it will be a pick-six by Tre Flowers, or a three-sack day by Ziggy Ansah, but one of the Hawks will absolutely take charge in this game and take it over. Who am I kidding? Both of those will happen, and Russell Wilson will go off for three scores in the air and one on the ground. Seahawks 37, 49ers 20.

That would put the Hawks at 11-5, which should put them into the playoffs again. Hopefully, that would even get them the wild card game at home. It’s a long season, and as we’ve already seen in week one, anything can happen.