Personally I think that the Seahawks will go 11-5. I believe we will more than likely get to the division championship possibly the conference championship if our team is healthy. we could have a lot of young players on our defense breakout and have an outstanding season. With Wagner back mentoring some of our young defensive players we could have a formidable defense, completely different from last year.
Let me explain further I am trying to be as realistic as possible with my expectations let me know what you think.
Wk 1 vs Rams - W
Wk 2 vs Lions - W
Wk 3 vs Panthers - W
Wk 4 vs Giants - W
Wk 6 vs Bengals - L
Wk 7 vs Cardinals - W
Wk 8 vs Browns - W (hard to decide haven't seen alot of Watson)
Wk 9 vs Ravens - L
Wk 10 vs Commanders - W
Wk 11 vs Rams - W
Wk 12 vs 49ers - W
Wk 13 vs Cowboys - L (only if the cowboys are a fully healthy team)
Wk 14 vs 49ers - L (49ers home game is very hard to win)
Wk 15 vs Eagles - L
Wk 16 vs Titans - W (more than likely the titans will be playing on of their backup qbs at this point if they are down in the standings)
Wk 17 vs Steelers - W
Wk 18 vs Cardinals - W
(edit 1: Fixed week 17 I missed the steelers game, changed record from 11-5 to 12-5 due to missing the steelers game)
My gut feeling was closer to 9-8, about the same as last year. I feel like the roster is a bit better but not hugely.
By position group, I think:
Offensive line: better (new center, second year for rookie tackles)
Receivers: better (finally have a third WR!)
Running: about the same (lost Penny, who wasn't able to play much, but was great when he could, replaced by a rookie)
QB: ??? (Geno was really good at the beginning of the year but tailed off later)
Defensive line: worse (lost several contributors)
Linebackers: better (hard to know how much Wagner has left, though)
Secondary: better (Witherspoon, healthy Adams)
Looking at the schedule, it does seem easier than I expected to get to 10 or 11 wins! I think winning 5 of 6 in the division is a bit optimistic, so I could see one more loss there. And probably a loss from one of the Lions, Panthers, Giants, Browns. But I could also see getting to 11!
I think we're looking at a 10 or 11 win season. I don't see us being a Superbowl contender yet at this point. I guess I see this season as more of a developmental year where we can set up a Superbowl run the rest after. I do think this year we're quite solidly a wildcard team and the second best team in the NFC West.
My guts tells me 11-12 wins, but I differ from op because I think some of those losses wiol come from crap teams. We seems to be preparing very well against good team only to shit the bed vs the ones with a losing record the next week
12-5 for me. I think they will be fun to watch. The defense should be marginally better since Bobbie is back. He's going to shore up the run defense, as you noted. We had such a fun year watching Russ implode, had a great draft, and won more games than I expected. I think the Hawks will make the playoffs and win one game. Yes, I think it'll happen. Go Hawks.
I hope bobby can also help some of the newer players Improve on defense, since once he does retire from playing it would be great to have him move to a positions coach, and possibly in the future the head coach once Pete Carroll retires. Go Hawks!
Yes, the run defense was a nothing-burger last year. That was painful to watch, especially mid-season (Tampa in London hurt my eyes). And if Bobby can give some good direction to the young bucks we might see some good things in the future. Go Hawks!