Seattle Seahawks: 5 Reasons Pete Carroll Will Take 'Hawks Back to Playoffs

After missing the playoffs in 2011, the Seattle Seahawks will look to wrestle the NFC West crown from the defending champion San Francisco 49ers in 2012. 

So far this offseason the Seahawks have retained the services of key free agents Red Bryant and Marshawn Lynch, in addition to adding QB Matt Flynn in free agency.  Although the Seahawks still have weak points on the roster—pass-rusher and linebacker are the main concerns—the team should be in contention for a playoff spot this coming season.

This slideshow takes a look at five reasons why Pete Carroll will take the Seahawks back to the playoffs in 2012-'13.

Matt Flynn

Undoubtedly the biggest acquisition for the Seahawks this offseason has been the addition of Matt Flynn, who, despite having only two NFL starts, was a coveted free agent.

Carroll has already stated that Flynn will have to compete with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson for the starting quarterback gig, but it would be surprising if Flynn isn’t named the opening day starter for the ‘Hawks in 2012.  While it is unlikely Flynn can match the record numbers he recorded in his lone start last season, he should still be an upgrade over Jackson.

With Flynn at the helm, the Seahawks have the potential to open up the offense and improve on last season's middling production. 

Defense

Losing LB David Hawthorne through free agency to the New Orleans Saints certainly stings, but that shouldn’t change the fact that the Seahawks should once again feature one of the league's better defensive units.

The playmaking secondary headlined by safety Earl Thomas will return for the most part intact and should continue its ball-hawking ways in 2012.  Now that Red Bryant is back in the fold, the Seahawks' run defense should remain stout, although the void at LB is troubling, even more so if LB LeRoy Hill also leaves Seattle.

If the Seahawks can find a way to add an impact pass-rusher—which they should be able to do through the draft—this unit is capable of leading the Seahawks back to the playoffs.

Better Health in 2012

Injuries are certainly going to happen throughout the course of a season for every NFL team, but the Seahawks roster last season resembled something of the walking wounded as injuries took their toll. 

Most notably affected were the offensive line, which saw starters and backups become injured, and the receivers, who saw John Carlson sidelined for the entire year in addition to Sidney Rice missing games with concussions. 

There is little doubt the Seahawks will face more injury issues in 2012, but as injuries are something that is often determined by blind luck the Seahawks could feature a healthier roster in 2012.  If the Seahawks can avoid the injury bug this coming season, they will obviously benefit through having more continuity, which leads to better on-field performance.

Rookies

With the free-agent market thinning out with each passing day, the Seahawks' best opportunity to fill weaknesses on the roster might be in the upcoming NFL draft.  Holding the 12th pick in the draft, the Seahawks should get a chance to pick a prospect that can instantly contribute in the 2012 season.

Potential targets for the Seahawks include LB Luke Kuechly and a host of pass-rushers like Quinton Coples, Nick Perry or Melvin Ingram.  Given the Seahawks' recent track record of finding guys later in the draft (Kam Chancellor) or as undrafted free agents (Doug Baldwin), key contributors could arise not just from the early rounds of the draft.

If the Seahawks have a productive draft that complements the talent already on the roster, the team could be heading back to the playoffs in 2012.

The Competition

In spite of the San Francisco 49ers returning a roster very similar to last year's group that was one game away from the Super Bowl, the NFC West should still be a wide-open division in 2012.

The ‘Niners will likely be the preseason favorite for the division but should have a tougher time winning the division in 2012 than they did last season.  Although the 49ers are certainly a talented team, they were also blessed with great luck in 2011 as they had a ludicrous plus-36 turnover margin and incredible health throughout their roster.

If the 49ers are faced with more injuries and can’t generate such a favorable turnover margin—both likely—the NFC West could be up for grabs.  With the St. Louis Rams in rebuilding mode and the Arizona Cardinals not looking to be anything better than average, there is an opportunity for the Seahawks to rise to the top of the division.