The Seattle Seahawks are currently 7-1 overall, and 3-0 in the NFC West. They have the most wins in the NFC, and are tied with the Denver Broncos for second in the entire NFL. A quick glance at their record is proof enough that Seattle can’t be stopped.
Or is it? The Hawks’ most recent W may indicate otherwise. On Monday night Seattle squeaked by the St. Louis Rams with a final score of 14-9. The game, like many of the Seahawks’ victories this season, was uncomfortably close for a game against a 2-5 team with a backup QB. If it wasn’t for a missed field goal and poor play-calling in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Seattle could have started today at 6-2, tied with their red-hot San Francisco division rivals. To put Seattle’s underachievement in perspective, fans who bet on the Seahawks actually lost money (even though the Seahawks won) because they didn’t beat the Rams by the expected 11.5 points.
Despite their record, the Seahawks have shown three reasons why they will lose at least once more this season. Here are three reasons why I believe it will happen sooner rather than later.
Injuries.
It was quite apparent in Monday night’s game that the Seahawks are riddled with injuries. The O-line, missing key tackle Breno Giacomini, let the Rams’ pass rush sack QB Russell Wilson seven times. Wilson has fumbled the ball a record eight times this season, which has contributed to the 12 total offensive giveaways (third worst in the NFL). A depleted offensive line can’t provide the five to seven second luxury pass protection that Wilson takes to throw the ball. The receiving core also suffered a major blow, as it was announced Tuesday that WR Sidney Rice will be out the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Seattle hopes Percy Harvin will be able to step into Rice’s shoes, despite his inexperience with the Seattle offense and an injury of his own.
The Saints/49er’s.
The Saints are good at football. More importantly, they remember losing to the 7-9 Seahawks in the 2010 wildcard game. Needless to say, New Orleans is out for revenge. Seattle shouldn’t bank on another Beast Mode miracle run being enough to stop Brees & Co. from stealing the MNF stage. Less than a week later, Seattle jets off to San Francisco to play their division rivals. Since dropping consecutive games to the Seahawks and the Colts, the Niners have been streaking, winning five in a row. If Kaepernick can get both his legs and arms to work, this matchup is going to be a lot closer than the two most recent SF blowouts at Century Link.
Road games.
Seattle doesn’t lose at home, or at least not for the past 11 games at Century Link. Sure, it’s loud in Seattle, but when the Hawks travel to Atlanta, San Francisco, and New York, they will get a taste of their own medicine. Visits to Houston and Indy already proved to be much more difficult than expected. The 12th Man might show up at Candlestick, but the Seahawks shouldn’t bank on any love on the East Coast.
Although the Seahawks won’t have any problem making the playoffs this year, they will struggle as they deal with injuries and tough opponents in the second half of the season. Seattle’s key to success involves allowing their defense be the playmakers while the offense minimizes mistakes. While the Seahawks may very will finish the season with an incredible one loss, a 14-2 record is more honest of their consistent underperformance so far this season.
