Top 3 reasons why Seattle Seahawks can make it to the NFL playoffs
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks might have made the playoffs in 2022 but they almost snuck in at the end thanks to the Detroit Lions. While it's easy to feel good about what Seattle did last season as they exceeded expectations to a great degree, it may also be easy to overlook reality. That is, Seattle started 6-3 and then finished the season, including the one playoff game, by going 3-6. At one point, Seattle lost five of six games.
My point in this is that while Seattle should be expected to make a run at the postseason in 2023, we can't assume the team will make the playoffs. Seattle has a tougher schedule this coming season and will face the teams from the NFC East and AFC North. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), those two divisions are two of the three toughest in the league in 2023.
I recently wrote about how Seattle definitely has concerns going into the season, but let me have a more positive take here. Why? Because, for one, the roster has a bunch of talent. Here are three other reasons the Seahawks will make the playoffs in 2023.
Reason for Seahawks making the playoffs No. 1: The defense will be much better
I get that there are still concerns about Seattle's defense, especially the run defense. No, the Seahawks did not take a defensive tackle high in the 2023 NFL draft, but they still got Cam Young in the fourth round. Young is already bigger than expected, and he appears ready to step in and take reps in Week 1. Sandwiched between Jarran Reed and Dre'Mont Jones is only going to help him and the entire defense.
But Seattle is deeper at other positions now. The team added another edge rusher in the second round, Derick Hall, and the team had a first-round grade on him. Seattle also took cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick in the draft and he should be a Week 1 starter and a good one.
But the Seahawks should be more dynamic at inside linebacker and that should be the good to the defense. Bobby Wagner might not get 6 sacks like he did with the Rams in 2022 (a career high), but he should be able to make the correct defensive play calls and get people in the right positions. Plus, he and free agent signee Devin Bush are great tacklers and that should fix a huge issue Seattle had last season.