2018 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Pete Carroll
Newcomers for 2019 - Mike Iuoati (OL), Paxton Lynch (QB), Ziggy Ansah (DL), Jason Myers (PK), Cassius Marsh (DL)
Keys on Offense - Russell Wilson is the quarterback and the leader of the team with the off-season deals taking place the past few seasons. Wilson threw for 3,448 yards last season with 35 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions. He also rushed for 376 yards (5.6 ypc average) but was sacked 51 times. Paxton Lynch is in camp looking to be the backup this year.
The running game had its first 1,000 rusher for the team since Marshawn Lynch in his prime as Chris Carson ran for 1,151 yards (4.7 ypc) and scored nine touchdowns. Also in the backfield is Rashaad Penny, who had 419 rushing yards (4.9 ypc) and two touchdowns.
The wide receivers include Tyler Lockett (57 receptions for 965 yards and ten TD), David Moore (26, 445, five TD), Jaron Brown (14, 166, five TD) and rookies D.K. Metcalf (Mississippi) and Gary Jennings (West Virginia). The tight ends are Will Dissly and Ed Dickson.
Keys on Defense - Jarran Reed (10 1/2 QB sacks), Cassius Marsh (5 1/2 sacks with 49ers), Quinton Jefferson (three sacks), Ziggy Ansah (four sacks with Detroit) and rookie L.J. Collier (TCU) will make up the front four while veteran Bobby Wagner leads the linebackers. K.J. Wright, Mychal Kendricks and rookie Cody Barton (Utah) round out the linebacking corps.
In the secondary, it continues to be a different looking group with Shaquill Griffin (two interceptions) and Tre Flowers playing the corner spots while Bradley McDougal (three picks) and rookie Marquise Blair (Utah) are likely to be the starting safeties. Hard hitting safety Tedric Thompson is also in the fold.
Seattle ranked 15th in total defense last year (353 ypg allowed) while giving up 21.7 points per game, which put them at eleventh in the NFL. They also had 43 QB sacks and picked off twelve passes.
OUTLOOK - The Seahawks returned to the NFL Playoffs for the first time in three years last season, but will be hard pressed to beat out the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC West division title. Head Coach Pete Carroll has a definite franchise QB with Russell Wilson, who is coming off another solid season.
The offense has a good balance and led the NFL in rushing last year, averaging 160 yards per game. Carson and Penny are a good one-two punch and Wilson also is still a threat to take off downfield when things break down in the passing game. Seattle averaged 193 passing yards per game in the 2018 season and scored 26.8 points per game, which was sixth overall in the league.
Defensively, the Seahawks were adequate and have some new faces coming in this season via free agency and the NFL draft. Gone is long time secondary leader Earl Thomas, the last remaining member of the famed "Legion of Boom" defense as he left for Baltimore via free agency.
If the defense can play consistently and not give up the big plays while remaining opportunistic (the 'Hawks led the NFL with a plus-15 turnover ratio), this team can contend for the playoffs again. The schedule is tough, so a 9-7 finish is most likely this year, which might not be enough to get a wild card spot, but with some breaks, Seattle cannot be counted out.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 2 - at Pittsburgh
Week 3 - vs. New Orleans
Week 4 - at Arizona
Week 5 - vs. LA Rams
Week 6 - at Cleveland
Week 7 - vs. Baltimore
Week 8 - at Atlanta
Week 9 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 10 - at San Francisco
Week 11 - BYE
Week 12 - at Philadelphia
Week 13 - vs. Minnesota
Week 14 - at LA Rams
Week 15 - at Carolina
Week 16 - vs. Arizona
Week 17 - vs. San Francisco
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