@ Green Bay Packers, Sept. 11, 1:25 p.m.Prediction: 21-20, loss.Why: Facing a Packers squad that hasn’t opened at home since 2012, it’s hard to imagine Aaron Rodgers – the second-best QB in the league – will squander the opportunity. With DeShawn Shead out with a knee injury, the Hawks’ defense is still working out hiccups in the secondary.
Week 2
vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 17, 1:25 p.m.Prediction: 35-10, win.Why: The Hawks have owned the 49ers since Richard Sherman’s tip in 2014 – and that won’t change with Brian Hoyer leading the charge for the Niners. Seattle rolls big and early in this one, and the Niners tack on points in garbage time.
Week 3
@ Tennessee Titans, Sept. 24, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 24-22, loss.Why: The Titans vaunted run defense from a year ago was bolstered even further in the off-season, making it even tougher for the Hawks’ stable of running backs haven’t quite hit their strides yet. Seattle falters in this early-season matchup in hot and humid Nashville.
Week 4
vs. Indianapolis Colts, Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m.Prediction: 35-12, win.Why: Not a chance that journeyman Scott Tolzien upsets the Seahawks, especially when the Colts’ defense can’t keep anyone out of the end zone. Vontae Davis may be able to lockdown one receiver, but Seattle’s collection of offensive weapons punish the rest of the Colts’ secondary.
Week 5
@ Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 8, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 17-10, win.Why: The Rams’ defense always causes Seattle fits, but there’s no chance that Jared Goff can outduel Russell Wilson in a defensive battle. Todd Gurley and Sammy Watkins will get the Rams on the board a couple times, but the Hawks’ defense stands tall in crunch time.
Week 7
@ New York Giants, Oct. 22, 1:25 p.m.Prediction: 25-20, loss.Why: After posting an 11-5 record in 2016, Manning has even more offensive firepower at his command with the additions of WR Brandon Marshall and rookie TE Evan Engram. Add their top-10 defense from a year ago, and the Giants have just enough to squeak by. Plus, the Hawks are coming off a bye, where they rank dead last in win percentage with a 12-22 record.
Week 8
vs Houston Texans, Oct. 29, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 14-6, win.Why: Watching two of the top defenses in the league clashing will make for a boring game, but there will be nothing boring about it for Texans’ starting QB Tom Savage. Even with elite wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Savage isn’t savage enough to overcome a menacing defense and 67,000 fans screaming at him.
Week 9
vs Washington Redskins, Nov. 5, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 27-16, win.Why: Kirk Cousins is really going to miss DeSean Jackson. Jordan Reed isn’t enough to thwart the Seahawks defense at CenturyLink Field; Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor will be preying on Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson like hawks picking off rodents in a cow field.
Week 10
@ Arizona Cardinals, Nov. 9, 5:25 p.m.Prediction: 30-20, win.Why: Arizona may be at home, but the Hawks shine in primetime games. With the nation watching on a Thursday night, Wilson runs dizzying circles around the Cardinals’ defense. Carson Palmer is aging, and it shows, but Patrick Peterson and Honey Badger help keep it somewhat close.
Week 11
vs Atlanta Falcons, Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m.Prediction: 27-24, loss.Why: Dan Quinn knows this Seahawk team better than any other opposing coach. New OC Steve Sarkisian is no Kyle Shanahan, but he’ll have this offense tuned up by week 11. Russ will get his scores, but the Falcons’ offensive juggernaut prevails.
Week 12
@ San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 26, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 21-7, winWhy: It won’t be a blowout like week two, but the Hawks easily hold the Niners in check on their home field. The 49ers defense is trending up from its last two seasons, but Russ and his receiving corps exploit the 49ers depleted secondary.
Week 13
vs Philadelphia Eagles, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.Prediction: 28-21, win.Why: Carson Wentz has yet to gain the experience needed to overcome the Hawks’ menacing defense at home. Seattle’s four-pronged rushing attack of Rawls, Lacy, Prosise and Carson run roughshod on a defense that finished middle-of-the-pack in 2016.
Week 14
@ Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.Prediction: 25-3, win.Why: When you’re forced to choose between Blake Bortles and Chad Henne as your starting QBs, you’re not going to win any games against teams like the Seahawks. An early morning start does nothing to deter a Hawks defense feasting on fear.
Week 15
vs St. Louis Rams, Dec. 17, 1:05 p.m.Prediction: 13-10, loss.Why: Just another yearly-loss to the lowly Rams. Home-field advantage means almost nothing to the St. Louis. For some reason, the Rams have the Hawks’ number, winning four of their last six meetings. Russ and the offensive live sputter against Aaron Donald.
Week 16
@ Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 24, 1:25 p.m.Prediction: 22-20, win.Why: Ezekiel Elliot and his elite run-blockers will be in full-swing by week 16, but the Cowboys’ secondary ends up being their demise. Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham punish the Cowboy’s corners and safeties.
Week 17
vs Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 31, 1:25 p.m.Prediction: 26-16, win.Why: With playoff seeding on the line, the Hawks answer the call and end the season in a high note. Russ once again runs rampant on the Card’s defense, keeping Arizona at bay and securing one of the top-seeds in the NFC playoff hunt.
Solutions by The State News
