4 Down Territory: Seattle Seahawks should be bold and dream big in 2023

4th Down: The Seahawks win the West

Last year, everyone pumped up the Buffalo Bills as the team destined to win the Super Bowl. They had been victim to playoff heartbreak the year before and made a single big-name free agent addition. At the end of the day, Buffalo didn't have enough balance or defensive depth to keep up with a better team in Cincinnati.

This year, the San Francisco 49ers are that team. The consensus best roster in the league, it feels like now or never for the 49ers. Stud defensive lineman Javon Hargrove was added to an already dominant defense and the 49ers finally have clarity at the QB position. The pieces appear to be in place to win their first title in 30 years, but is all truly right in Santa Clara?

The Trey Lance debacle has brought unnecessary tension and pressure to a front office and coaching staff that is, and deservedly so, getting burned by the media. While the addition of Hargrave will be massive, Nick Bosa is still not at camp and seems trenched in on not playing without a new contract. While Brock Purdy is back, we don't truly know how devastating the elbow injury could have on his already questionable arm strength.

The Rams went all in on a championship in 2021, and it worked out, but look at them now. Rarely does the all-in focus equal a championship, and when it does, there are consequences. We're looking at the very real possibility that the 49ers will not have Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa in 2024. This smells of desperation, and that stench could rot in 2023.

I believe that the Seahawks have closed the gap enough with San Francisco, and with a sizable advantage at the QB position, will shock many and win the NFC West with a 12-5 record. With an NFC West crown, the Seahawks will have multiple home playoff games for the first time since the Seahawks' last Super Bowl appearance. 

What happens next? Well I'll leave that up to you, but be bold and dream big Seahawks fans. It could be a special season in Seattle.

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