Seattle Seahawks: Schedule Analysis and Record Prediction
How Will the Seattle Seahawks Do in 2013?
With the NFL having just released the regular season schedule for all 32 teams, I decided to briefly break down each game the Seattle Seahawks will be playing this year and to attempt predict a fairly reasonable outcome.
The Seahawks have what appears to be a relatively easy schedule, but there are still questions as to how well they can play on the road. They start off on the road against an improved Carolina squad which should give the Seahawks more trouble than they anticipate.
It will be very interesting to see how the two second-year star players quarterback like Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner will respond after coming off incredible rookie seasons. If they can maintain the level of play they elevated themselves to in the second half of last season, the Seahawks will be poised for a very successful year.
Another thing that I’m looking forward to seeing is how the new players will fit in. On the offense, Percy Harvin is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, but how will he fit in with a Seattle offense that has way more weapons than Harvin is used to?
It should also be exciting to see Seattle’s defense, which already led the league in fewest points allowed per game at 15.3. That very same defense has only gotten better by adding a savvy veteran cornerback in Antoine Winfield, as well as defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett
Without any further ado, let’s examine the 2013 regular season schedule for the Seattle Seahawks. Click “Next” to begin.
Week 1: Carolina Panthers (Away)
LOSS (0-1)
I can see the Seahawks struggling a bit on the road in their first game and dropping this one to the Carolina Panthers. They will be the first team to have to face Cam Newton and the improved Carolina defense and typically start slow out of the gate, especially on the road.
Week 2: San Francisco 49ers (Home)
WIN (1-1)
Remember what happened the last time the San Francisco 49ers visted CenturyLink Field? I don't think this rematch will be a blowout of that same magnitude, but I can definitely see the Seahawks taking care of business and shutting down Colin Kaepernick in their first game of the season in front of the 12th Man at home.
Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars (Home)
WIN (2-1)
The Seahawks and their new pass rushers are going to create major problems for every quarterback they face this year, especially whichever player ends up under center for the Jacksonville Jaguars this year. Whether it's Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne at QB, it's going to be a very long day spent trying to deal with the ferocious Seattle defense.
Week 4: Houston Texans (Away)
WIN (3-1)
While many people view the Houston Texans as one of the better teams in the NFL, I just don't see it. Sure, they have two of the best players in the entire league in running back Arian Foster and defensive end J.J. Watt, but they had an easy schedule and really struggled at the end of the season. Even at home, I don't see them stopping the Seahawks.
Week 5: Indianapolis Colts (Away)
WIN (4-1)
In his rookie year Andrew Luck, of the Indianapolis Colts, showed that he's prone to committing turnovers when he threw 18 interceptions. He did that without facing the Seahawks, who have arguably the best secondary in the NFL. Things could get ugly in this one if they can apply pressure on the second-year quarterback often.
Week 6: Tennessee Titans (Home)
WIN (5-1)
I view this game, along with the week three game against Jacksonville, as one of the easiest for the Seahawks. Tennessee Titans' quarterback Jake Locker will be returning to the city where he played his college ball, unfortunately he hasn't developed much since then and shouldn't pose any threat to the Seahawks.
Week 7: Arizona Cardinals (Away)
WIN (6-1)
This one could have been a loss if the Arizona Cardinals hadn't completely blown up their defense in the offseason. They may have added a solid quarterback, Carson Palmer, who should be able to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald more effectively this season, but I just don't see them coming out of this one with a win.
Week 8: St. Louis Rams (Away)
LOSS (6-2)
This should be the game of the year for the Seahawks. Forget the 49ers, if anyone is going to give Seattle problems this year, it's going to be the St. Louis Rams. They were one of the best in the league at containing the read option last year and managed to limit the productivity of both Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. I think the Rams will deal the Seahawks their second loss of the season in this one.
Week 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Home)
WIN (7-2)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a pretty solid offense led by the young trio of Doug Martin, Josh Freeman and Mike Williams, but their defense was one of the worst in the NFL last year and should have a great deal of trouble trying to hang with guys like Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin.
Week 10: Atlanta Falcons (Away)
WIN (8-2)
In a rematch from last year's playoffs, the Seahawks will look to get revenge on the Atlanta Falcons team that barely knocked them out. If Seattle can dominate like they did in the second half (save for the last 31 seconds) of the playoff game, they should be golden. They just have to figure out a way to contain Tony Gonzalez.
Week 11: Minnesota Vikings (Home)
(WIN 9-2)
The Minnesota Vikings may have added Greg Jennings to compliment Adrian Peterson, but they still have one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league and no way to get him the ball consistently. Also they will have a tough time covering the Seahawks' wide receivers since their best cornerback, Antoine Winfield left to go play for someone else. Oh yeah, the Seahawks.
Week 12: Bye
BYE (9-2)
The Seahawks will use the week 12 bye to rest, recover and talk strategy. They will need all the time they can get to prepare for their tough week 13 game.
Week 13: New Orleans Saints (Home)
WIN (10-3)
I spent a lot of time thinking about this one, but gave the Seahawks the win because it's a home game and because the New Orleans Saints' defense was just so atrocious last season. It should be a great game though, as Drew Brees gives even the best defenses fits.
Week 14: San Francisco 49ers (Away)
WIN (11-2)
The Seahawks will take care of business and complete the season sweep of the 49ers at Candlestick in San Francisco, CA. It should be a much closer score line than it will likely be in week two, but it should still be a Seattle win nonetheless.
Week 15: New York Giants (Away)
LOSS (11-3)
While I don't think the New York Giants are a particularly good team, I think they will catch Seattle at the right time. The Seahawks will have to fly from San Francisco all the way to New Jersey on the heels of an emotional rivalry game. Chalk this one up as a schedule loss.
Week 16: Arizona Cardinals (Home)
WIN (12-3)
The last time the Cardinals played at CenturyLink Field, they lost 58-0. Now I'm not saying that will happen again, but if the Seahawks are still playing for anything at this point, it could be another difficult day for Arizona.
Week 17: St. Louis Rams (Home)
WIN (13-3)
The Seahawks will look to close out the season on a high note, and should do just that when they meet the St. Louis Rams at home. If everything goes as planned, they may be resting their starters in this one though. Either way, expect the Seahawks to finish the season strong in this one and end the year with a record of 13-3.
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