2015-16 NFL Preview: Seattle Seahawks

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 NFL Preview

2014-15 Record: 12-4

Last Playoff Win: 2014 NFC Championship vs. Green Bay Packers

Last Playoff Appearance: Super Bowl XLIX vs. New England Patriots (2014)

Last Super Bowl Win: Super Bowl XLVIII vs. Denver Broncos (2013)

Last Super Bowl Appearance: Super Bowl XLIX vs. New England Patriots (2014)

Head Coach:

Pete Carroll (83-61 all-time as NFL head coach, 50-30 all-time in Seattle, 8-5 in playoffs)

Assistant Head Coach: Tom Cable

Assistant Head Coach: Rocky Seto

Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Bevell

Defensive Coordinator: Kris Richard

2014-15 Team Leaders:

Passing Yards: Russell Wilson (3,475 passing yards, 63.1% completions, 20 TD's, 7 INT's, 95.0 QB rating)

Rushing Yards: Marshawn Lynch (280 attempts, 1,306 yards, 13 TD's)

Receiving Yards: Doug Baldwin (66 receptions, 825 yards, 3 TD's)

Tackles: K.J. Wright (107 tackles)

Interceptions: Richard Sherman (4 interceptions)

2014-15 Team Rankings:

Passing Offense: 27th in NFL

Rushing Offense: 1st in NFL

Points Per Game: 10th in NFL

Least Points Allowed Per Game: 1st in NFL

2015-16 Potential Starters:

Player Guide:

Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel


Offense:

QB: Russell Wilson

RB: Marshawn Lynch

WR: Doug Baldwin

WR: Jermaine Kearse

TE: Jimmy Graham

C: Lemuel Jeanpierre

OG: J.R. Sweezy

OG: Alvin Bailey

OT: Russell Okung

OT: Justin Britt


Defense:

DE: Cliff Avril

DE: Michael Bennett

DT: Ahytba Rubin

DT: Brandon Mebane

LB: Bruce Irvin

LB: K.J. Wright

LB: Bobby Wagner

CB: Richard Sherman

CB: Cary Williams

FS: Earl Thomas

SS: Kam Chancellor

2015-16 Schedule:

(September 13) vs. @ St. Louis Rams

(September 20) vs. @ Green Bay Packers

(September 27) vs. Chicago Bears

(October 5) vs. Detroit Lions

(October 11) vs. @ Cincinnati Bengals

(October 18) vs. Carolina Panthers

(October 22) vs. @ San Francisco 49era

(November 1) vs. @ Dallas Cowboys

(November 8) BYE WEEK

(November 15) vs. Arizona Cardinals

(November 22) vs. San Francisco 49ers

(November 29) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

(December 6) vs. @ Minnesota Vikings

(December 13) vs. @ Baltimore Ravens

(December 20) vs. Cleveland Browns

(December 27) vs. St. Louis Rams

(January 3) vs. @ Arizona Cardinals

Final Prediction: 12-4 (5-1)


Overlook: For those of you expecting the Seattle Seahawks to fall off this season, I've got some bad news for you. Unfortunately for you, the Seahawks are going to be just as good this year as they have been over the course of the past three seasons. These last few years have been monumental for the Seahawks. They've easily enjoyed the best three seasons in franchise history and they don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. As a matter of fact, they've now locked up the really important pieces of their team and appear to be ready to turn this thing into more of a dynasty than it's already been. My only concern with the Seahawks is, with all these players now locked into long-term big-time money contracts, you will likely see the depth of this team take a hit. That's just what happens in the NFL. Seattle was a team that had money to spend to add lots of depth (a benefit of having Russell Wilson on a cheap rookie QB contract), but that time has passed. So what should we expect from this Seahawks team that is no longer filled with guys looking to get paid (except Kam Chancellor of course)? Let's take a look.

On offense, it will be more of the same from the Seahawks. Russell Wilson came into the league a few years back and shocked everyone with how easily he was able to transition his game into a Pro Bowl-type player. He should continue to grow in the league this season, but Seattle's offensive line is so atrocious on paper that part of me worries about his health. The Seahawks traded their best offensive lineman this off-season (Max Unger) and are left with a bunch of guys who couldn't block a mannequin. If Wilson ends up getting hurt this season or actually regresses on-the-field, I think we know who to blame. Luckily for Seahawks fans, Marshawn Lynch is still around though. Lynch is the kind of NFL runner that doesn't even need offensive lineman to block for him. You could put 4 German Shepherd's on the offensive line and Lynch is still likely flirting with 100 yards a game. His presence alone helps make Wilson's life a lot easier. What also makes Wilson's life easier is the addition of tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham may be the worst blocking tight end in the league (there's a reason New Orleans was fine letting him go), but he also happens to be an amazing pass-catcher and will likely become Wilson's #1 target (Seattle's wide receivers are all either mediocre or just plain bad). So, like I said earlier...we should expect more of the same from the Seattle offense. A heavy dose of Marshawn Lynch with a side of Wilson to Graham. Good luck stopping that on the goal line this season.

Defensively, I think we know what to expect from Seattle. The Seahawks have had arguably the best defense in the NFL over the past few seasons and I don't expect that to change this year. This unit is just absolutely loaded. I personally have 5 elite players, 2 REALLY good players, 2 good players, and 2 guys who should be playing elsewhere on this Seattle defense this year. I don't think there is another NFL team that even comes close to the talent the Seahawks have on this side of the ball, especially in the secondary where the "Legion of Boom" continues to reside, giving other NFL QB's nightmares. The biggest weakness on this unit is going to come down to depth, especially on the defensive line. Since Seattle actually had to pay some guys this off-season, they were forced to get rid of some players and like I mentioned earlier, they will be hurting depth wise. That becomes especially clear when you're talking about Seattle's defensive line, especially the defensive tackle position. The good news is, the defense won't miss a beat this season and will be a BIG reason Seattle is still very much a Super Bowl contender.

So, what should we honestly expect from this Seattle team this year? I think if you're a Seahawks fan, you're thinking "Super Bowl or bust" and you have every right to think that way. You've played in two straight Super Bowls. Your team is just as loaded this year as it has been in the past. Your division has taken a tremendous step back talent-wise with the 49ers falling off. You have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. You have arguably the best defense in the league. And your head coach is one of the smartest guys in the NFL. See what I mean? If the Seahawks aren't hoisting a Lombardi Trophy at the end of this year, something went incredibly wrong.