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.
Seahawks start off 3-1. Can they continue their great start?
Rams at Seahawks. I don’t want to diminish the importance of the Saints or Cardinals game, but this is the one all 12s have circled on the calendar. The Rams made it all the way to the Super Bowl with a high-flying offense and a defense that did just enough to keep their opponents in their rear-view mirror. We know Seattle can score with Los Angeles as they put 31 points on the board in both games. The key to victory will be keeping the Rams under 30. I believe Seattle has the personnel to do that this year. At least they will on this day. Seahawks 34, Rams 26.
Seahawks at Browns. Wow, if ever there was a trap game, this is it. Seattle will have come off two straight division wins into a non-conference game on the road. The Browns gave quarterback Baker Mayfield a lot of weapons this offseason. Cleveland got off to a slow start, but I see this as another shootout. The Browns defense isn’t up to the offense, clearly. If you’re going to lose, you might as well lose out of conference. Browns 26, Seahawks 23.
Ravens at Seahawks. The Ravens have an exciting young quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Geez, how many of these guys do we have to face? Can’t we get a game against some old guy, like…oh yeah, Drew Brees is a thousand years old. Never mind, bring on the kids. The Ravens will bring more than their gunslinger quarterback to Seattle. They have one of the NFL’s toughest defenses, which seems to have been part of the deal they got when they moved to Baltimore. Watch for the return of both Jarran Reed and Earl Thomas. Sadly, Thomas will wear purple. I see this as the Hawks first bad game of the season and their second straight loss. Ravens 24, Seahawks 13.
Seahawks at Falcons. Atlanta fell back to the pack last year as their defense was decimated by injuries. They still have Matt Ryan and will almost certainly have Julio Jones back by then. Even with Jones, I think Atlanta’s window of greatness has closed. I see the Hawks as being very motivated for this game, and I think they’ll take out their frustrations on this team. Look for half a dozen sacks of Ryan and a big day for Russell Wilson. Seahawks 44, Falcons 16.
Will the 5-3 Seahawks pick up the pace in the second half?
Buccaneers at Seahawks. It’s been a while, but the last time Seattle faced Tampa Bay Russell Wilson played one of the worst games of his career. He threw two picks, was sacked six times, and made the Bucs defense look like the LOB. One of the Bucs defenders that picked off Wilson made such an impression, Seattle brought him into the fold the following season. Glad you’re playing on the side of justice now, Mr. McDougald. The Bucs may still have Jameis Winston, but they’ve only held their opponents to single digits twice in the 37 games since that 2016 game. The 12s will get plenty of opportunities to shake CenturyLink’s foundations again. Seahawks 38, Bucs 10.
Seahawks at 49ers. At last, another big rivalry game. This will be just their third in the NFC West, due to the caprices of the schedule makers. San Francisco promises to be much better than last season. They made some key additions to their defense, notably first-round pick Nick Bosa and pass rusher Dee Ford. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be in mid-season form, literally, so he should be in fine shape after the knee injury that cut his 2018 season short. I expect the Niners to take another step toward restoring their rivalry with the Hawks. 49ers 26, Seahawks 20.
Seahawks at Eagles. Philadephia will still be a good team. This game will play a major role in determining if they’ll still be a playoff team. Led by Carson Wentz and DeSean Jackson on offense, the Eagles will put plenty of points on the board. Fletcher Cox is one of the league’s best defenders, and he’ll make life tough for Wilson. But he won’t do it enough to make a difference today. I see Wilson hitting both Lockett and Metcalf on spectacular bombs and Wentz throwing a key interception late. Seahawks 27, Eagles 23.
Vikings at Seahawks. This is scheduled to be Seattle’s third straight prime-time game. Last season the Hawks had one of their best defensive outings of the year in Minnesota. They shut down Dalvin Cook and contained both Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. The Vikes will bring the same attack to Seattle this year. I see much the same result as in 2018. Their wide receivers will break free on occasion; they’re just too good to keep hemmed in all night. But I also believe that Kirk Cousins will see navy and gray in his nightmares after this one. Seahawks 27, Vikings 17.
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.