Seattle Seahawks 2016-17 NFL Team Preview

2016-2017 Seattle Seahawks Preview

Key Additions: OT J’Marcus Webb, DE Chris Clemons, DT Sealver Siliga, OT/G Germain Ifedi, DT Jarran Reed, G Rees Odhiambo

Key Subtractions: RB Marshawn Lynch, OT Russell Okung, G J.R. Sweezy, DT Brandon Mebane, DE/OLB Bruce Irvin

Strengths

Seattle’s defense has grabbed headlines (and rightly so) in recent years, but Russell Wilson is arguably the team’s greatest asset at this point. The five-year pro has progressed to the stage where he’s now right up there in the discussion of best quarterback in the NFL.

With Marshawn Lynch banged up, the Seahawks transitioned into a more Wilson-oriented offense. He took that added responsibility in stride, as he set new career-highs in completion percentage (68.1), passing yards (4,024), and passing touchdowns (34). Wide receiver Doug Baldwin benefited most with a career year – 1,069 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns (most in the NFL) – while Tyler Lockett had a very productive rookie season.

But even with Wilson’s rise, Seattle’s defense – one that has finished in the top five in defensive DVOA in each of the last four years – is still expected to be one of the team’s main pillars of strength. That unit once again led the NFL in scoring defense (17.3 points per game) last season.

The defense’s core pieces on each level – pass rushers Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, linebackers Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright, and the Legion of Boom –are still intact. The Legion will also welcome back one of its founding members, cornerback Brandon Browner, after two years away from the team.

Armed with an elite quarterback and elite defense, the Seahawks are rightly priced as +1,000 contenders to win Super Bowl LI.

Weaknesses

It speaks to Wilson’s excellence that he was still able to play incredibly well despite his line’s struggles. The Seahawks tried to address this glaring weakness through the draft by grabbing Germain Ifedi and Rees Odhiambo within the first three rounds. The individual pieces of that line, though, still scream “subpar.”

To be fair, the line did very well in run blocking, and helped the Seahawks finish No. 3 in rushing per DVOA. Thomas Rawls was a revelation last season as he filled in capably for Marshawn Lynch before getting hurt himself. But with Beast Mode now in full retirement mode, it remains to be seen whether the undrafted second-year man can continue producing consistently with an increased workload – and without the element of surprise.

Key Player – Russell Wilson

Where would the Seahawks offense be without Russell Wilson? Even with a bad O-line, Wilson just continues to keep raising his game to new levels.

Wilson had arguably the greatest five-game run in NFL history last season. He completed at least 70 percent of his passes in all five games, threw for 1,420 yards with 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions from Weeks 11-15.

Of course, no one should expect Wilson to translate that once-in-a-lifetime stretch into a full season. But also don’t be surprised if he exceeds last season’s overall performance this year. The oddsmakers are sure expecting more stellar performances from Wilson. The Seahawks QB is a +700 contender to win his first NFL MVP award this season.

Key Game

The Seahawks’ first six weeks look pretty manageable with five winnable games (against the Dolphins, Rams, 49ers, Jets and Falcons) and a bye. Their first true test of the season comes in Week 7. They go the desert to meet their big NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, on Sunday Night Football.

The Cards snatched the division away from the Seahawks last season. Seattle, though, was able to demolish Arizona on the road in Week 17. Another win in Glendale would give the Seahawks the upper hand in the race for the division title. Seattle is the big -120 favorite to reclaim its NFC West crown.

2015 Stats

Category | Stat (Rank)
Points per game | 26.4 (#4)
Passing yards per game | 236.9 (#20)
Rushing yards per game | 141.8 (#3)
Scoring defense | 17.3 (#1)

Writer’s Prediction

Wilson leads the Seahawks back to the top of the NFC West. Seattle wins the division with a 12-4 record, and goes over 10.5 regular season wins.

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