Know Your Enemy completes the NFC West with the reigning NFC West Champ Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has made the playoffs 8 of the last 10 seasons under HC Pete Carroll. The Russel Wilson trade beef was squashed quickly (glares at Rodgers) and he is ready to go with another 100 QB rating season. Shane Waldron is the new OC (after Anthony Lynn passed for Detroit) and Ken Norton Jr is the DC. Seattle’s defense isn’t quite the same as the legion of boom days (Sherman jail, Earl Thomas real bad teammate, Chancellor broken neck) but has improved for 2021. Let’s review their squad.
Strengths
QB
Russell Wilson does well every year but had a monster season in 2020. Wilson notched 40 TDs 13 interceptions, 4,212 yards and 68% completion. His 105 rating can be repeated as Seattle has added even more to the offensive line and weapons.
Weapons
DK Metcalf (1,303 yards and 10 TDs and Tyler Lockett (1,054 yard and 10 TDs) are studs. Deal with it. Seattle added slot man Dwayne Eskridge(Western Michigan) in Round 2 of the draft. TE Will Dissly regressed but was solid in 2019 prior to injury. Gerald Everett was added from the Rams to play TE with solid 4 years of play for LA. Seattle is loaded for Wilson for more success.
Run Game
Chris Carson can be a workhorse if healthy. Carson had 4.8 YPC after 1,000 yards in 2019. Russell Wilson can still scramble (513 yards and 2 TDs) too. Rashaad Penny must take a step forward in his last chance for Seattle. Dee Jay Dallas was a Round 4 2020 pick with potential. Alex Collins returns to Seattle for depth as well.
Solid but Holes
Offensive line
Seattle improved their offensive line for 2021. Duane Brown is a good left tackle and Gabe Jackson was added at guard from the Raiders. Ethan Pocic is a good center and Damien Lewis grows in year 2 from 3rd round 2020 pick. Brandon Shell was added from the Jets at Right Tackle and Ogbuehi moves to backup swing tackle. Seattle can have success on the ground and in the air with this group up front.
Front 7
Carlos Dunlap is a long-time solid pass rusher from the Bengals. Veteran Kerry Hyder (former Lion) had a good year with 8.5 sacks with the 49ers and moves to Seattle. Benson Mayowa is another veteran pass rusher. Poona Ford is rated well at DT. Al Woods is a veteran and much more is expected from 2019 1st rounder DE LJ Collier, 2020 2nd rounder DE Darrell Taylor and 3rd round DT from 2018 Rasheem Griffen. They cut a good DT in Jarran Reed for cap reasons. DT Robert Nkemdiche gets a final shot after being a 1st round bust. Defensive Line has talent but needs to produce to help the back 7.
Bobby Wagner is still a top 5 Mike linebacker leading the defense. Big things expected from 2020 1st rounder Jordyn Brooks in year 2. Ben Burr-Kiven must step up replacing KJ Wright but not much depth for the Seahawks. Wright is still a FA and could return.
Secondary
Jamal Adams leads the secondary at safety after Seattle gave up two 1sts (2020, 2021) in a trade last season with the Jets. Quandre Diggs has been solid after a trade in 2019 from Detroit. 2019 2nd round pick Marquise Blair must step up for 2021 as the third safety.
Ahkello Witherspoon was added after a good year with the 49ers. Tre Flowers and Pierre Desir are vet corners for Seattle and Tre Brown was added as a rookie in Round 4. Seattle has some talent but some questions in the secondary and front 7. They will need a pass rush for more success in coverage.
Schedule
Seattle goes to Minnesota in Week 3 and to Green Bay in Week 10. Seattle hosts Chicago Week 16 and Detroit Week 17 late in the season. Seattle was 7-1 at home and 5-3 on the road and playing in Seattle with fans will give them the advantage again against the Bears/Lions. Seattle should make the playoffs yet again and should never be overlooked. They are a consistent playoff team.