Seattle Seahawks: Power Ranking the Best Home Games in 2012

As we find ourselves about to turn the page on June, fans in Seattle can only try to maintain some level of sanity before the Seahawks take the field.

Sure, the Mariners continue to play baseball, but in all honesty, things at Safeco aren't terribly exciting for the moment unless King Felix is on the mound. Someday, the M's might get things in order...just not this year.

Now, if you want to have your expectations built upon something with a little more stability, it's better to focus your attention across the way at C-Link.

Whether or not the 'Hawks have a big year or not remains to be seen, yet for fans attending games this season at home, just about every trip to C-Link should provide some form of excitement.

While we continue our endless wait, I figured I'd take the time to piece together a power ranking of the best home games for the coming season.

Keep in mind this just for fun and probably will change once the season gets underway. For now, though, I'm going with what I know, believe and dare to forecast. At the same time, I fully expect quite a few opinions from fans and perhaps a few foes alike.

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings (11/4)

With all due respect to the Vikings and their fans, this game just doesn't quite get me all that excited.

If the 'Hawks are destined for a big year, this looks like kind of game they should win, and do so convincingly. 

By midseason, one can only hope that the team is firing on all cylinders with the QB issue a distant memory and the defense in prime form. 

Then again, you never know in the NFL, but for the Vikes to stake a claim for a playoff spot, they will need to fight their way through arguably one of the toughest divisions in the league.  

Right now, I don't see it. 

Week 10: New York Jets (11/11)

Following the Vikings game the very next week, this game could have great significance for both teams in their quest for the postseason and provide solid entertainment value.

As mentioned earlier, one can only hope the 'Hawks QB issue is a thing of the past at this point; meanwhile the situation for the Jets could well have reached the boiling point.

The epic drama of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow is just getting started folks. Not to mention the team's laundry list of residual issues from last season. 

Can Rex Ryan get his house in order? 

Will the once-vaunted Jet defense rebound?

Will the ground-and-pound offense get sorted?

If you think the Seahawks have issues, the Jets are a team in need of serious help. 

What team arrives in Seattle by mid-November remains to be seen, but either way, they will make for entertaining theater both on and off the field.

Fortunately for the 'Hawks, I think the Jets are in decline after their brief flirtation amongst the league's elite and should win.  

Week 14: Arizona Cardinals (12/9)

Here's where the all-important late season divisional schedule begins after several weeks on the road.

In terms of energy and excitement, C-Link should be pretty rowdy, assuming the 'Hawks are in the hunt for the postseason at this point.

The Cardinals in recent years are a tough team to figure out, as they certainly have talent, but just like the Seahawks, have un-solved issues at quarterback and could implode just like the Jets in the season's second half. 

In the season series last season, the two teams split by each winning at home, and I believe they will do the same this year.

For the 'Hawks, a win here could start a run that may either lead to a wildcard berth or a division title.

Week 2: Dallas Cowboys (9/16)

Perhaps this seems a bit low for the home opener?

One can only imagine the energy of the crowd at C-Link for this game, as the 12th Man gets their first chance during the regular season to break-out their new jerseys during a season with so much anticipation.

Yet I'm not in love with this game as much as I am with the other half of the home schedule.

While the Cowboys always provide an interesting matchup on paper during any given season, in recent years, they seem to have more bark than bite. 

Ideally, with the home crowd pumped up, the 'Hawks can exact some revenge from last season's loss in Dallas. Let's just hope the team has all, if not most, of its issues from preseason ironed out.

Week 6: New England Patriots (10/14)

While I appreciate that all of the other previous home games are important, essentially they are matchups in my mind the 'Hawks should win.

As for the final four, these are the games that will determine whether the 'Hawks are contenders or pretenders.

First on the list of games you must drop everything to watch...New England.

The defending AFC Champs were the team of the decade, but do they still have another run in them? I wouldn't wager against them. Hence the reason I'm a little concerned about their visit during Week 6. 

I'm hoping this is a great game, the kind that leaves you guessing how it will unfold from the very beginning. 

I also hope the pass-rush can keep Tom Brady on his back and the secondary can prove their mettle against the double tight-end attack of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, not to mention the slippery Wes Welker.

Finally, and perhaps just as important, is the hope that the offense has reached a comfort level where they can capably trade punches in a potential shootout. 

Week 17: St. Louis Rams (12/30)

The season finale, a must win.

Ideally, the 'Hawks have things settled in their favor at this point, having either clinched a playoff spot or better, but odds are, this game will have great significance no matter how things shape up this season. 

It's a long ways away at this point, but with Jeff Fisher in charge, don't sleep on this crew.  Expect the Rams to improve significantly over the course of the season, and at the very least, play the role of spoiler coming into this matchup. 

Week 3: Green Bay Packers (9/24)

This one is hard to beat, as all of Seattle will probably shut down in anticipation for this one.  

You can almost picture a perfect evening weather-wise for Monday Night Football in a matchup that should see Matt Flynn against his mentor Aaron Rodgers.

Obviously, we'd all love to see Flynn emerge the winner, but I think the Packers will prove too much for the 'Hawks on this particular night. 

Week 16: San Francisco 49ers (12/23)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Right now, this is the game. If the 'Hawks are going to make some noise this year, then this game will likely be huge. 

Of course, it's a long season and a lot can happen between now and December, but this is the one ticket I'm itching for if I'm a 'Hawks fan as an early gift.

Last year's heartbreaker is still on my mind, as all hope of sneaking back into the playoffs faded with a game the 'Hawks could have won. No point in crying over it now, but everyone will be ready for this one when the times comes.  

Expect a playoff atmosphere from start to finish at C-Link for what we can only hope will be a great year.