I wouldn’t blame Seattle Seahawks fans if they spent the offseason locked in their bedrooms, dehydrated from crying for the last six months. The goal line interception during the final minute of Super Bowl 49 will sting for their rest of their lives.
The Seahawks bring back nearly everyone of importance from last year’s Super Bowl appearance. They also added Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham. Seattle looks like one of the favorites in the NFC.
Can Seattle keep up their home dominance?
How much will the addition of Graham help Seattle’s passing game?
Here is the 2015 NFL team preview for the Seattle Seahawks.
2014 Win/Loss Record: 12-4
Key Additions: TE Jimmy Graham, DT Ahtyba Rubin & CB Cary Williams
Key Losses: OLB O’Brien Schofield, OLB Malcolm Smith, CB Byron Maxwell, S Jeron Johnson, TE Zach Miller, TE Tony Moeaki, OG James Carpenter & C Max Unger
2015 Draft Picks: DE Frank Clark, WR Tyler Lockett, OT Terry Poole, OG Mark Glowinski, CB Tye Smith, DE Obum Gwacham, DE Kristjan Sokoli & S Ryan Smith-Murphy
Non-Division Schedule: AFC North, NFC North & (Carolina/Dallas)
Fantasy Sleeper: WR Chris Matthews – This is a pretty deep sleeper, but I loved Matthews in the postseason last year. Wilson started to get comfortable with him. He’s still rough around the edges, but he could finally be a receiver that could replace what they missed last season when Golden Tate left to Detroit.
Projected Starters
Offense – QB Russell Wilson, RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Doug Baldwin, WR Jermaine Kearse, WR Chris Matthews, TE Jimmy Graham, LT Russell Okung, LG Alvin Bailey, C Patrick Lewis, RG J.R. Sweezy & RT Justin Britt
Defense – DE Michael Bennett, DT Tony McDaniel, DT Brandon Mebane, DE Cliff Avril, OLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, OLB Bruce Irvin, CB Richard Sherman, Cary Williams, SS Kam Chancellor & FS Earl Thomas
Team Analysis: Seattle has been the cream of the crop in the NFL. They have appeared in the Super Bowl the last two years, and if not for a final-minute blunder, they would have won back-to-back championships. The Seahawks have the best secondary in the league. In today’s pass-first NFL, it could be their best asset. Yes, quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch are extremely important, but Seattle’s secondary has changed the game. Teams are now trying to find a 6’2+ safety like Kam Chancellor. It was almost unheard of to play someone of his size back there just two seasons ago. Seahawks got tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans this offseason. I expect a big year from him. Wilson hasn’t had a big target like him yet. I do expect a little decline from Seattle this season because it is extremely difficult to put together an elite defense (and stay healthy) for more than two or three seasons in a row. They will still win the NFC West and once you make the postseason, anything can happen.
2015 Wins Over/Under Line: 11 (Prediction: UNDER)
2015 Projected Win/Loss Record: 9-7 (1st in NFC West)
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.