Super Bowl Predictions: Could the Seattle Seahawks Really Win It All?

To even imagine it is crazy, but go there for a second.

Could the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl?

Pete Carroll's team travels to Chicago this week to face the Bears. The Seahawks are coming off a shocking win over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, but could they pull off another upset this week? Seattle has already defeated Chicago this season, 23-20, on Oct.17, and if it gets past the Bears would then either face Atlanta or Green Bay. If the Seahawks were to pull off a third stunning victory, then there is the possibility of facing New England in the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.

Could they really do it? It would be one of the greatest upsets ever, but here are 10 reasons why Seattle could hoist the Lombardi Trophy:

10. First Thing's First: Crush Cutler

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Shaun Ellis #92 and Bryan Thomas #58 of the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Let's take this one step at a time. If Seattle's going to give itself a chance, it needs to unload and keep blitzing Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. There are good odds for that: Cutler has fell victim to 52 sacks on the season. Get to Cutler, and maybe Seattle can disrupt the Bears offense.

9. Embrace Their Place

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with his teammates his 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on Ja

If you're Seattle, the underdog role is a perfect fit. The Seahawks don't have to deal with the pressure or expectations that Green Bay or Atlanta face, and definitely aren't on the same level with the four remaining AFC teams left. 

8. Coaching Matchup

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by

At least in the NFC, is there any other coach who is clearly heads and tails above anyone else? Pete Carroll should be able to match wits with any of the other three teams remaining, and if somehow the Seahawks miraculously get to the Super Bowl, he may have to face Bill Belichick. Of course Belichick would have a huge advantage, but all bets are off in the Super Bowl.

Who else thought Belichick and the Patriots would beat the Giants in the Super Bowl three years ago?

7. NFC Weaknesses

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If Seattle gets past Chicago, it would then have to face either Atlanta or Green Bay. Atlanta is the No. 1 seed, and has established itself among the NFC's elite this year. That kind of pressure is something the Falcons aren't accustomed to, and the Packers barely have a running game, which is essential if you want to win a Super Bowl.

6. Getting the Breaks

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Seattle already beat Chicago, and lost to Atlanta 34-18 on Dec. 19. It's a double-edged sword for Seattle, since it's always tough to beat a team twice. But if Seattle can get past Chicago, and Green Bay upsets Atlanta, then the Seahawks would host the NFC Championship next week.

5. Russell Okung

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Russell Okung #76 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Seahawks offensive tackle could become a key X-factor when it comes to defending opposing pass rushers, beginning this weekend with Chicago's Julius Peppers. In the Bears' Week 6 matchup with Seattle, Peppers faced off against Okung (pictured) and had just two tackles. Chicago registered no sacks.

"Okung is playing on two bad ankles, but he has shown toughness, faring well despite the injuries," writes Dan Parr of Pro Football Weekly. "While he's gifted in size and strength, Okung also has proven to be agile enough to keep speed rushers from getting past him. He anchors in pass protection and moves his feet well.

"Peppers has said that whatever happened the last time he lined up across from Okung doesn't matter anymore, which is true, but if Peppers, who is getting consideration for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is kept in check by Okung again, Hasselbeck could pick apart the Bears' secondary." 

4. A Capable Back

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on Janua

If you want to have any chance at a Super Bowl, you at least need a capable running back. Marshawn Lynch can qualify. Lynch had 573 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, but came out running like a man possessed against the Saints with 131 yards and a touchdown.

3. Matt Hasselbeck

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints as his son Henry Hasselbeck is carried off on his back after the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwes

Hasselbeck's a proven veteran, and threw for 3,001 yards during the regular season. Last week against the Saints, he completed 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards with an interception and four touchdowns. Hasselbeck gives Seattle a shot, and that's just as good as Baltimore, when it won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer.

2. Upsets Abound

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Defensive end Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants holds a copy of the Bergen Record with the headline 'GIANTS WIN!' after the Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14 during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at

Once the playoffs begin, anything is possible.

It wasn't long ago when Dallas entered the playoffs 13-3 under first-year coach Wade Phillips, but lost to the Giants in the first round. New England wasn't a favorite entering Super Bowl XXXVI, but defeated Kurt Warner and the "Greatest Show on Turf", 20-17. Then three years ago, the Giants pulled off perhaps the biggest upset ever with a 17-14 victory over New England, the Patriots' only loss of the year.

1. Key Word Here

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates the Seahawks 41-36 victory against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jon

COULD. We're not saying Seattle will win it all people. Just saying they could.

If Seattle beat New England in the Super Bowl, that would be way bigger than Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson, Villanova's men's basketball championship or the Giants' Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Bigger than the "Miracle on Ice"? Don't know about that.