Seahawks will only win between 7 and 9 games says NFL.com

NFL.com says the Seahawks will likely miss the playoffs in 2020.

I don’t know about you 12s, but I am seeing this more and more. The national media just isn’t giving the Seattle Seahawks much respect this year. Sure, most people do not think the Seahawks will be a bad football team, but just that they aren’t among the top-tier anymore.

Where is all the dismissiveness of Seattle coming from? Under head coach Pete Carroll, Seattle has missed the playoffs just twice in 10 years. And this offseason, while they did not bring back Jadeveon Clowney, they did add cornerback Quinton Dunbar and All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to the defense. But NFL.com doesn’t think Seattle is a better team overall.

According to the site, Seattle will win between 7 and 9.5 games this year. (I should go on record here that there is no way that the Seahawks win half a game ever.) But winning only 7? That seems ridiculous, not counting a Russell Wilson injury or something else hellish like that. The reason that NFL.com says the Seahawks won’t win more than 9.5 is a little odd though

"A strong pressure front and shutdown corners help forecast wins — these areas are currently unknowns in Seattle."

The problem with NFL.com’s numbers

OK. I understand the pass rush. That issue on paper seems as bad, if not worse, than it was in 2019. With no Clowney, there is no proven defensive end on the roster that can stop the run and the pass well. But the cornerbacks being an issue?

(Cough cough) Um, I do believe that Seattle has Pro Bowler Shaquill Griffin on one side and Quinton Dunbar, the second-highest graded corner in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, on the other side. And two-year starter Tre Flowers is there for depth. That is a good cornerback group.

As far as Seattle’s ceiling of 9.5, that number is actually less than the Arizona Cardinals. So, dear 12s, take what you will of NFL.com’s guess at which teams win and which teams lose this season.