2009 Seattle Seahawks: On the Path to Redemption

In predicting a season for a team, you feel compelled to look at the previous team. There wasn’t much to look at in 2008 except for the glaring holes on both sides of the ball, the injuries, the blowouts, the close losses, and, finally, the end of the Mike Holmgren era.

Many experts feel the Seahawks are rebuilding as a recent Power Ranking on ESPN put the Seahawks as the 22nd best team in the NFL. That's not saying much for a team that was in the playoffs five straight years and has been to the Super Bowl as recently as 2005.

Many experts feel the Seahawks are rebuilding, but Tim Ruskell believes otherwise.

Ruskell believes that last season was an aberration, and, by the way he went into the offseason, we should expect to be contending this season.

As training camp descends upon us all, many people get excited and start predicting a Super Bowl for their respective franchise. I would love to do the same. I always feel like my team can go 16-0 and win it all. 

Unfortunately that doesn’t seem at all plausible, especially with a team that has glaring needs at safety, center, and running back.

When examining the 2009 season, there are many games that could propel the Seahawks to the elite status or throw them back down to the bottom of the league.  Here are the 2009 opponents.

First four opponents:  vs. St. Louis, at San Francisco, vs. Chicago, at Indianapolis

The Seahawks catch a break at the beginning of the season by getting the Rams at home and traveling to San Francisco, where they have played pretty well in recent years. A 2-0 start is not out of the realm of possibility there. 

However, the Chicago Bears pose a tough matchup for the Seahawks, especially if the Seahawks cannot defend Jay Cutler and his wide receivers.   

The Seahawks then travel to Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning and the Colts. If the Seahawks had trouble with Jay Cutler and the Bears, imagine what Manning will do to the Seahawks secondary.

Predicted record: 2-2

Next four opponents:  vs. Jacksonville, vs. Arizona, at Dallas, vs. Detroit

Again the Seahawks catch a break in the second quarter of the season by having three of the four games at home, with the only trip going to Dallas.

Jacksonville is another interesting matchup, but with the regression of David Garrard at quarterback we could see the Seahawks bottle up Maurice Jones-Drew and pull out the victory.

Arizona will be another tough matchup. This game is really 50-50. If the Seahawks get in Kurt Warner’s face, they will win. If they allow Warner to hit his receivers they will lose.

Going to Dallas will be very tough for this Seahawks team, especially after the 34-9 manhandling at the hands of the Cowboys last season. Cowboys will likely take care of business at home.

The Seahawks get a young Detroit team who could have a rookie at quarterback. How will Matt Stafford fare against the 12th man of Seattle's Qwest Field? 

Predicted record:  5-3

Next four opponents:  at Arizona, at Minnesota, at St. Louis, vs. San Francisco

Talk about a murderer's row here. The Seahawks have three straight road games which could very well determine their postseason chances. The Seahawks will look to avoid going 0-3 on the road trip.

The Seahawks have never won at University of Phoenix stadium, so things do not look good for the Seahawks against the defending NFC champs as the Cardinals win. The Seahawks then travel to Minnesota and could face both Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson. Rounding out the road trip is a trip to the Edward Jones Dome for a date with the Rams. The Seahawks lose in Minnesota, but sweep the Rams again this season.

The Seahawks finally return home to a San Francisco team that beat the Seahawks in overtime last season in week two.

Realistically, the Seahawks could lose all four of these games, especially if they are worn down from the three road games. I see them splitting these four games, though.

Predicted Record:  7-5

Final four games:  at Houston, vs. Tampa Bay, at Green Bay, vs. Tennessee

Late December games against Houston and Green Bay on the road could be difficult for the Seahawks. However, I believe they take care of business in Houston against an up-and-coming Texans team. I do not, however, see them going into Green Bay and winning in the cold weather.

Tampa Bay has a new coach and new quarterback, which could turn out to be rookie Josh Freeman. Will Josh Freeman handle the 12th man? Probably not in his rookie season, as the Seahawks win at home.

A win against Tennessee rounds out the season.

Predicted record at end of season: 10-6

The Seahawks are in the mix to win the wide open NFC West this season. A 10-6 record could win this division and set up a home playoff game.