That Familiar Feeling
As we near the end of another wonderful summer in the Pacific Northwest, it’s about that time of year when many of us begin to feel dejected. The locals know all too well that the warm weather season around here is often brief. The reality of the impending winter isn’t necessarily something that creates excitement.
Thankfully, this inevitable reality can be offset by one that offers a little more fun and intrigue through the winter months. The reality is that we are but a short breath away from the first game of the 2015 NFL season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots on September 10. The return of football seems to be a breath of fresh air to many. Every new season seems to reinforce the fact that football has supplanted all other major professional sports in the U.S. as the favorite among the populace. It provides everyone an excuse to get together and divert away from their daily obligations and responsibilities.
It’s no secret that many around the Pacific Northwest are eager for their Seahawks to take the field again. All the 12’s are anxious to know if a third straight Super Bowl will happen, if they will rebound from the heartbreaking Super Bowl loss, plus much more.
What You’ve Been Waiting For
The Seahawks and their fans have been waiting for this moment for what seems like an eternity: turning the page on last season and starting anew. It would be no surprise to discover many hearts that are still lamenting how last season ended. They were three feet away from a repeat Super Bowl victory, only to have the rug violently ripped out from beneath their feet. This is of course in reference to the now infamous play call of a short slant pass on second and goal from the Patriot’s one-yard line that resulted in an interception by CB Malcolm Butler, which sealed the Super Bowl victory for the Patriots.
A flurry of disappointment, confusion and anger ran rampant across the world of the Seattle Seahawks. Ever since that day, Head Coach Pete Carroll has assumed full responsibility of the play call. However, he fully believes his call was the right one. While some people said “(it was the) worst possible decision,” Carroll said “(it was the) worst possible outcome.”
We have all turned into couch head coaches and given our two cents as to what should have happened ad nauseam. There comes a time where everyone has to move on, and that is where we find ourselves currently. Looking ahead, what will be paramount as the Seahawks begin their quest for a third straight Super Bowl trip?
1. Offense
QB Russell Wilson is now signed long-term (four years at $87.6 million), and RB Marshawn Lynch is back on a contract extension that will keep him in Seattle through the 2017 season. Add in a blockbuster trade for TE Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints, and all of a sudden the Seahawk’s offense is one of the biggest threats in the NFL. Lynch is the oil that keeps the offensive machine running smoothly by opening up the passing game for Wilson.
With the addition of Graham, the Seahawks will have arguably the best red zone offense in the NFL. Any defense having to account for both Lynch and Graham in a short yardage situation is something that should only happen in a nightmare.
Because game plans from the opposition will revolve heavily around these three, this will open a wide door for other role players like wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Super Bowl breakout star Chris Matthews.
The offensive line will need resolve as C Max Unger was shipped to New Orleans in the Graham trade and LG James Carpenter left for the Jets in free agency. However, the pros outweigh the cons and this offense will do well.
2. Defense
Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn is now the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Last year’s Defensive Backs Coach Kris Richard will assume his position. Richard is lucky enough to inherit a defense that will be vying for a third consecutive year as the best in the league.
Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Cary Williams (the secondary known as “The Legion of Boom”) are all back. A linebacker group consisting of Bobby Wagner, Bruce Irvin and K.J. Wright are back as well. Then the defensive line will carry Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Brandon Mebane. The return of these core players will allow Richard to keep last year’s scheme largely intact.
With Pro Bowl caliber talents ranging across every facet of the defense, it’s hard for anyone to deny the potential of being the best in the league for a third straight year.
3. The Schedule
The Seahawks face the fourth toughest schedule in 2015. They have nine games against teams that made the playoffs in 2014. Five of their road games will be against ten-game winners from a year ago. The NFC West should be stronger as the Arizona Cardinals will have QB Carson Palmer returning and the St. Louis Rams were busy improving their roster in the off-season. Knowing that many will attempt to thrust the Seahawks off of their throne of recent success, they will need to display a healthy reverence to every opponent throughout the season.
Making Sense of Everything
The 12’s have every reason to be optimistic heading into 2015. The same success the Seahawks exhibited on the field the last few years should continue. Despite a schedule that seeks to hinder, this team has the chemistry and skill to overcome.
Since the salary cap era began in 1994, no team has ever made three straight Super Bowl appearances. Although they are on the wrong side of history, an improved offense and a formidable defense afford them an opportunity to say otherwise.
Even playing the role of a skeptic, one would be hard pressed to find any glaring holes on this team. If forced to find something, what would be the biggest roadblock for the Seahawks in 2015? After all, the talent is there, the coaching is there, the support from the fans is there.
Seven months ago the Seahawks were three feet away from winning their second straight Super Bowl. In the moments immediately following that heartbreaking interception, it was evident that the Seahawks had only beaten themselves. Considering this occurred on the grandest of all sports stages, it’s hard to see them making that same mistake twice. So as a season of redemption begins in 2015, the only thing standing in the way of the Seahawks, is the Seahawks.
POP OUT BOX
Fun Facts for 2015 NFL Season Schedule
The Cowboys are the only team in the NFL who play both teams from last year’s Super Bowl.
Seven games will feature rematches from last year’s playoffs.
The Falcons don’t have to leave the South Region for their final seven games of the season.
Although never being in the same division since 2001, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have met every year since 2003.
The Steelers finally travel to Seattle. This has been a long-awaited visit after the Seahawks lost to the Steelers 21-10 in Super Bowl XL.
No AFC teams play on Thanksgiving Day.
Top two draft picks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota face off in week one. The first time in NFL history that the top two draft picks open the season against one another.
The Titans have the luxury of four straight home games.
The Seahawks play 10 games against teams that made the playoffs one year ago.
The Cowboys haven’t beaten the Packers since 2008.
