As the start of the NFL season moves ever closer, we’re breaking down the offseason and training camp for the informed previews you want to get you set for the season. Read on for everything you need to know about the Seattle Seahawks and for other NFC West previews, check out our San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals pieces.
The Seattle Seahawks stunned the world last February when they handed a 43-8 drubbing to Peyton Manning and the highly-touted Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. With almost their entire lineup returning and a few key additions via the 2014 NFL Draft, the Seahawks are in prime position to defend their Super Bowl crown.
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Seattle Seahawks Team Preview for the 2014/2015 NFL Season
Overview
2013 Regular Season Record: 13-3 SU/11-5 ATS
The Seattle Seahawks got off to a great start last season, winning 11 of their first 12 games to build a solid foundation for their playoff push and taking the pressure off the team for the final few games of the campaign.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Russell Wilson built on his stellar Rookie of the Year season and posted career-high numbers of 3,357 passing yards and 257 completions.
He may have ranked only 16th among starting quarterbacks in terms of passing yards, but his maturity in only his second season proved vital during the Seahawks’ playoff run. His numbers were also limited by the presence of one of the league’s few remaining bona fide number 1 runningbacks, Marshawn Lynch. Beeeeasst Moooooode.
Still, offense aside, the defense was the story for Seattle in 2013. Their strength was in their secondary with cornerback Richard Sherman and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor leading Seattle to a league-best 172 opposing yards-allowed per game.
That defense helped Seattle earn the top spot in the NFC West last season, beating their rivals the San Francisco 49ers by just a game for the first round playoff bye. Even with their tight battle with the 49ers last year, they are favorites to win their division again, priced at +105.
This year, the Seahawks are the favorites at +500 to win back-to-back Vince Lombardi trophies.
Offseason Highlights
After winning the title last season, the most important thing for Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider was to try to keep the team intact for another championship run. He managed to do just that, re-signing some of the team’s free agents including Sherman, Thomas, DL Michael Bennett, K Steven Hauschka, DL Tony McDaniel, TE Anthony McCoy, LEO O’Brien Schofield, WR Sidney Rice and QB Tarvaris Jackson.
Re-signing defensive lineman Bennett to a four-year $28.5 million was crucial as the Seattle defensive line was decimated with the departures of Red Bryant, Chris Clemons and Clinton McDonald while the signing of Steven Hauschka to a three-year deal provides the Seahawks with some experience in the kicking position.
Re-signing Rice was also important as their top receiver Golden Tate signed a five-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
Perhaps the most important move GM John Schneider made was extending the contracts of free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman. These two were the main reasons why Seattle’s defense was the best in the league last season.
Key Betting Matchups in 2014
Coming off a 13-win season that resulted in a Super Bowl triumph, the Seahawks are expected to dominate again in the NFC West which is why their season win totals is set at 11.0. Still, Seattle’s road back to the Super Bowl will be tricky though with these two games the ones to watch.
September 4 – Green Bay Packers
The Seahawks start their title defense at home when they entertain the Green Bay Packers in a rematch of the infamous 2012 Fail Mary game where the Seahawks pulled off a 14-12 victory at the last second with a controversial touchdown pass by Russell Wilson. Seattle is 3-2 SU against Green Bay at home in their last five meetings and will be looking to open their title-retention bid on the right note.
November 27 – San Francisco 49ers
It is always a tight contest whenever the Seahawks and the 49ers face each other and this rematch of the NFC Conference Final should be no exception. The 49ers are 5-0 SU in their last five home games against the Seahawks, something Wilson and company will look to end in 2013.
Writer’s Prediction
Seattle will fall below their 13-win campaign last year with a 12-4 record this season but will still go over their line of 11.0 wins. Create a betting account now and see if you can predict where the Seahawks will finish in the NFC West and whether they can go back-to-back in their pursuit of another Super Bowl title.
