2011 Schedule: Predicting and Analyzing Every Seattle Seahawks Game
After a year of ups and downs, the Seattle Seahawks 2011-2012 season should be more of the same.
The Seahawks are getting older at certain positions and this year, a new NFC West champion could be crowned, but don't count out the Seahawks.
The NFC West is still a weak division that anybody could win, though other teams, particularly the St. Louis Rams, are getting younger and stronger.
It will be an interesting season for the Seahawks as we see what kind of progress they make this year.
Here are my predictions for every game this season, enjoy.
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Week 1: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
1 of 17
Any game for the Seahawks on the road will be tough this season, but against the 49ers they might be OK.
49ers QB Alex Smith won't be too hard to contain but the running game for the 49ers could have a nice day against a bad Seahawks defense. But if they somewhat contain Frank Gore the Seahawks will have a chance in this game.
On offense Patrick Willis will be all over the place, stopping Seattle's questionable rushing attack. Matt Hasselbeck will have to step up and throw a couple touchdown passes to wide receivers.
If it goes as planned the Seahawks can pull out this victory but it will come with a hard fought battle.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 17 San Francisco 49ers 14
Week 2: Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 17
This might be the toughest game on the schedule for the Seahawks. The Steelers have one of, if not the, best defenses in the league and a offense that just gets it done.
The Seahawks offense will have an incredibly tough time both on the ground and in the air. The Steelers defensive line is too much for the protection of Seattle and will get to the Hasselbeck numerous times, causing him to throw interceptions.
Defensively, the Seahawks will have a hard time stopping a very good offensive line and its run game while containing a potentially deadly passing attack. Roethlisberger is very mobile in the pocket and the only way to beat the Steelers is to wrap up and tackle him.
This will be a tough game for the Seahawks but it will help them grow and learn for the future.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Seattle Seahawks 14
Week 3: Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
3 of 17
After two weeks of road trips, the Seahawks finally come home to play at Qwest Field. Coming into the home opener fans, players and coaches will be extremely pumped up.
The Cardinals, still facing questions at the quarterback position, will have a tough time against the ecstatic players and crowd, as whoever plays will have their hands full with the Seahawks defense.
The Seahawks should have a solid passing game and running game and should be able to put points on the board against a weak Cardinals defense. The Cardinals are going to have trouble throughout the game and the crowd will play a large factor.
Look for the Seahawks to get a big lead early on with all the excited players.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 28 Arizona Cardinals 10
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Week 4: Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
4 of 17
This is a huge game for the Seahawks against one of the best teams in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons.
That Falcons have one of the elite quarterbacks in the league in Matt Ryan, who won't have much trouble against a sluggish Seahawks secondary. The running game for the Falcons could also have a nice day with running back Michael Turner in the backfield.
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White will tear up the secondary with his size and speed, a combination nobody in the Seahawks secondary can matchup with.
The Falcons defense is also good. It's not great but it gets the job done, but with that said, the Seahawks could put a few scores up on the board.
Overall, this is going to be a tough game even though its at home, but the score shouldn't be a blowout. Expect Matt Hasselbeck and Golden Tate to have a couple of connections because of Tate's speed.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 31 Seattle Seahawks 21
Week 5: Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
5 of 17
Traveling to New York and playing the Giants is always a tough game and this won't be too different for the Seahawks.
The Giants are always an inconsistent team but have much more talent than the Seahawks. Eli Manning, the poster child for New York's inconsistency, could have a big game against the Seahawks secondary, as should the running game of the Giants.
Brandon Jacobs is a big, powerful running back the Seahawks defense will have trouble with and the Giants also have a couple of solid wide receivers who will be able to make big plays against the Seahawks defense.
The Seahawks should be able to score on the Giants defense but it won't be enough for a Seahawks win.
Prediction: New York Giants 28 Seattle Seahawks 14
Week 7: Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns
6 of 17
This game is a big road test for the Seahawks and a test for the Browns at home. Both teams are going to struggle this year on defense and offense, so this could be an ugly game.
The Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck should have a nice game against a soft Browns secondary, and I can see Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett both having big games. Wide receiver Mike Williams should also have a nice day against a short browns secondary.
The Browns offense will score some kind of points but I can see the Seahawks defense shutting them down. Whether the Browns go with Jake Delhomme or Colt McCoy, Cleveland's quarterback could struggle and the Browns will have a tough time in this game.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Cleveland Browns 13
Week 8: Seattle Seahawks vs. Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 17
The Cincinnati Bengals are in disarray with quarterback Carson Palmer and it doesn't look like things are going to get any better for the negotiations.
Without a quarterback the Bengals will have a tough time this season against any team, including the Seahawks. The Seahawks defense should be able to easily shut down the Bengals passing and running attacks.
The Bengals defense could be one of the worst in the NFL and the Seahawks offense will be able to exploit the secondary, linebacking corps and defensive line. Hasselbeck should be able to have an excellent game along with the running attack of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Cincinnati Bengals 10
Week 9: Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys
8 of 17
This will be the first time for the Seattle Seahawks in the new Dallas Cowboys state-of-the art stadium and, unfortunately, it could end badly.
The Cowboys will have quarterback Tony Romo back after a season-ending collarbone injury. With the return of Romo, the Cowboys offense should have a better season after a very disappointing one last year and will be able to take care of business this game.
After a depressing year for the Cowboys defense it should also respond this season with more effort and intensity. DeMarcus Ware will be able to take advantage of a weak Seahawks offensive line as Hasselbeck will be pressured a lot and will have trouble completing passes.
This game could be a monumental win for the Seahawks but I just don't see enough firepower to beat the Cowboys.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 35 Seattle Seahawks 17
Week 10: Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens
9 of 17
Even though this game is at home for the Seahawks it will not be an easy game against one of the best teams in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens have perhaps the best defense in the NFL, led by Ray Lewis and accompanied by Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and many other studs who can make game-changing plays defensively. The Seahawks offense won't get much going and will be frustrated all game.
As for the Ravens offense, it isn't nearly as good as the defense but it is still above average. Joe Flacco is a quarterback who gets it done and the Ravens running game isn't that bad either. The Seahawks defense will be able to get some stops but it will be tough all game long.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 24 Seattle Seahawks 7
Week 11: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
10 of 17
This will be a significant conference game for these two teams and whoever comes out on top could win the NFC West next year.
The Rams have a great quarterback in the making in Sam Bradford, who should be even better in his sophomore campaign. One of Bradford's favorite targets is Mark Clayton, who was injured after four games last year, will back this year and that connection should be even better.
The Rams running game is one of the best in the NFL and the Seahawks will have trouble against running back Steven Jackson.
On the other hand, the Seahawks should also be able to score on a bad St. Louis defense but in the end it won't be enough.
Prediction: St. Louis Rams 17 Seattle Seahawks 14
Week 12: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins
11 of 17
The Washington Redskins are not the team everybody thought they would be with new quarterback Donovan McNabb. And this year won't be any different, especially at Qwest field, where the Seahawks usually handle business.
The Seahawks will have an easy time against a bad Redskins run defense, as Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett should both have nice games.
Matt Hasselbeck could also have a nice game against a poor Redskins pass defense.
This game will be a nice momentum shifter during the season for the Seahawks and they should win big.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 31 Washington Redskins 13
Week 13: Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles
12 of 17
This will be a prime time game on Thursday night football and it won't be easy.
The Seahawks will have to find someway to contain quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and deep threat DeSean Jackson, who could all exploit the Seahawks defense very easily.
Defensively, the Eagles are not that bad but the Seahawks should be able to score a decent amount of points. The Seahawks defensively have to be able to keep Vick contained. If Vick is contained he will have a hard time throwing on the run.
I see the Seahawks pulling off the upset in this one if Vick only has a half-way decent game.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Philadelphia Eagles 21
Week 14: Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Rams
13 of 17
The Rams and the Seahawks will be vying for first place all year long in the NFC West, making this Monday Night Football matchup extremely important.
Seahawks will have the advantage in this game, though, with a very energetic crowd who will help the Seahawks a lot.
But don't count out the Rams. Bradford and Steven Jackson could both hurt the Seahawks and could put numbers on the scoreboard in a hurry.
Matt Hasselbeck will be clutch in this game, though. He knows it is for the NFC West championship and he'll step his game up and so will the defense.
In the end, I see the Seahawks winning this one just because of veterans stepping up.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 17 St. Louis Rams 9
Week 15: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
14 of 17
After three straight wins the Seahawks travel to Chicago to take on one of the best NFC teams, the Chicago Bears, and unfortunately reality will set in.
Jay Cutler is one of the better quarterbacks in the league who will get better in Mike Martz's scheme. Cutler also has a nice running back who will be able to get a decent amount of yardage in Matt Forte. Cutler's go to receiver is speedy Johnny Knox who could be a problem for the Seahawks secondary.
The Seahawks offense will have trouble against this very good Bears defense, who will contain Seattle's running game and pressure Hasselbeck into perhaps his worst game of the season.
Prediction: Chicago Bears 21 Seattle Seahawks 6
Week 16: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
15 of 17
The Seahawks will end the season with two easy games. The first is against the San Francisco 49ers at home.
The 49ers are a mess right now and will have trouble establishing a pass game against the Seahawks defense. The running game for the 49ers could have a nice game though, because of Frank Gore. Gore is a top 10 running back in the league and the Seahawks defense will have trouble with him.
Offensively for the Seahawks this game should go very well for them. Hasselbeck should have an easy time against a bad 49ers secondary and the running game could also have a big game.
Two aspects that should trouble Seahawks coaches are Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, a pair of amazing receivers who are mismatches for the Seahawks defense.
In the end, though, I see the Seahawks winning comfortably.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 San Francisco 49'ers 13
Week 17: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
16 of 17
The final game of the regular season is against the bottom feeder of the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals will have a very tough time against the Seahawks because of the confidence the Seahawks built making the playoffs. Hasselbeck should have a nice game slinging the ball around.
Defensively, the Seahawks will be able to shut down the quarterback and the running game. The only worry for the Seahawks is Larry Fitzgerald who is a monster and could really tear up the Seahawks secondary.
But in the long run, the Seahawks will just be too much for the Cardinals, ending the regular season on a high note.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Arizona Cardinals 10
Playoffs
17 of 17
In the end I see the Seahawks going 9-7 and just barely edging out the St. Louis Rams for the NFC West crown for the second year in the row.
But going into the playoffs as a just average will be a tough game for the Seahawks and most likely there won't be another monumental upset like last year's win over the New Orleans Saints.
Maybe again they could pull off an upset but it would be tough. The Seahawks are in a rebuilding stage but the NFC West is so weak they will win it, but not for the years to come.
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