Seattle Seahawks 2012-2013 NFL Futures Lines & Predictions
Seattle looked like a budding playoff team for the last eight games in 2011. They went 5-3 during that span, and did not lose a game by more than six points. They also picked up a win over a very strong Baltimore team during that stretch, so this team has the talent needed to make a run.
2012 Seattle Seahawks Team Preview/Predictions
2011 Record: 7-9
ATS Record: 9-6-1
2012 Seahawks Futures
Super Bowl Odds: 50/1
Conference Odds: 30/1
NFC West Odds: 4/1
The question is whether their quarterback play will hold up.
The Seahawks had a reasonably productive offseason, but they failed to address their offensive line and receiving corps. They did however, sign 27-year-old quarterback Matt Flynn to a three-year, $19.5 million deal in March.
The problem is that Pete Carroll isn’t willing to hand the job over that easily to Flynn who started just two games during his four seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
He will battle it out with Tarvaris Jackson who threw for over 3,000 yards a season ago, and a third round pick Russell Wilson.
While its rumored that Carroll is high on Wilson, and it will be interesting to see how many reps he gets during the four preseason games.
Outside of Flynn, the Seahawks did not bring in much talent via free agency, but did make probably what was their most important moves, in re-signing running back Marshawn Lynch to a four-year, $31 million contract.
Lynch had a very solid year in 2011, rushing for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Then he was arrested for a DUI.
After this latest issue for the running back, he could be looking at a multiple game suspension.
Which leads to the question, ‘Who else do the Seahawks have back there?’ [soliloquy id=”82219″]
It’s honestly pretty slim, but they do return their second leading rusher in Leon Washington, who averaged an impressive 4.7 yards per carry a year ago.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, last season’s Seahawk defense was actually better than most would think, ranking in the top half in both passing and rushing defense.
The team made an effort to build on those points by signing linebacker Barrett Ruud to replace David Hawthorne, perhaps their best defensive player from last year, who signed with the Saints.
They will also be counting on Earl Thomas to continue to make his improvements in 2012, and hopefully become one of the top safeties in the league. If he hasn’t already reached that acclaim.
The defense also returns third and fourth leading tacklers from a season ago in Kam Chancellor (DB) and Leroy Hill (LB).
While Seattle does have the potential to get into the playoffs, the NFC West is not the walkover league it was back when they made the playoffs with a 7-9 record. Remember those days?
And with the resurgence of the San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks are going to have to come on strong if they want to win the fight for the NFC West crown.
I think you can expect this team to battle the Rams for the NFC West basement.
2012 Seahawks Predictions
Place they’ll finish in NFC West: 3rd
Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 11th
