Wow, it’s August already which means it’s time to make predictions for the
Seahawks and the NFL for the 2012 season.
Last year, I predicted the Seahawks to go 9-7 and they went 7-9, so I
was two games off there. However, I
correctly predicted the Seahawks to miss the playoffs, as I felt they weren’t
ready and didn’t have a good enough quarterback. I really feel the success of this season
hinges on the quarterback position: whether or not we can get decent play from
that position, regardless of who is the starter. Just like last year, I will go over each game
and make a prediction for a winner. I
will also predict Seahawks leaders in certain categories and analyze each
position. Without further ado, my 2012
predictions for the Seahawks!Week 1: September 9 at Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks start out in a place they’ve struggled in off and on for the past few years. Both teams will have iffy quarterback situations, but I think the Cards prevail due to home field advantage, I’m afraid.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 20
Seahawks record: 0-1
Week 2: September 16 vs. Dallas Cowboys
It should be a great matchup, and finally we are playing the Cowboys HERE and not in Texas. I expect another competitive game, but if Romo is healthy and the Cowboys don’t make too many mental mistakes, it still will be tough to win. Cowboys in perhaps a defensive struggle.
Prediction: Cowboys 17, Seahawks 12
Seahawks record: 0-2
Week 3: September 24 vs. Green Bay Packers
There is something about Monday Night with the Seahawks—they’re really good on primetime. And seeing as Flynn will more than likely start, he will be facing his former team, so he’ll know how to beat them. I expect a Seahawks team hungry for their first win to surprise a Packers team that underestimates the young Hawks.
Prediction: Seahawks 31, Packers 28
Seahawks record: 1-2
Week 4: September 30 at St. Louis Rams
I can’t even remember if we’ve lost in St. Louis since our Super Bowl year. I think we have, but just once. Anyway, even with Tarvaris struggling in last year’s game in St. Louis, the Hawks still won 24-7. I expect a similar score.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Rams 10
Seahawks record: 2-2
Week 5: October 7 at Carolina Panthers
Carolina is a team on the rise, but so are we, so it should be a great matchup. I’ll pick the Panthers just barely in this one, I think Cam Newton pulls off a last-second win.
Prediction: Panthers 24, Seahawks 21
Seahawks record: 2-3
Week 6: October 14 vs. New England Patriots
Guess what? Tom Brady has never played at Century Link Field. The Patriots and Seahawks have played just twice since Century Link Field opened in 2002, with one game being played there. But that one game (which was in 2008), Tom Brady was out due to his ACL injury. Matt Cassel started in his place and the Patriots won 24-21. But like I said, Tom has never played at the Clink, and I think the Hawks will be hungry for another upset win. Just call them the Hawk Shockers.
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Patriots 21
Seahawks record: 3-3
Week 7: October 18 at San Francisco 49ers
Playing on just 4 days rest, the Hawks face the 49ers on a Thursday night game. I can’t remember the last time we won IN San Francisco, which goes to show how badly we have played there recently. I expect more of a competition this year, but a loss nonetheless.
Prediction: 49ers 18, Seahawks 17
Seahawks record: 3-4
Week 8: October 28 at Detroit Lions
This should be a great matchup, with Stafford and Megatron vs. our talented secondary. I expect the Hawks to get a few road wins, and this could very well be one of them. Hawks in a slight upset, because I believe they will be able to contain Stafford’s passing game.
Prediction: Seahawks 28, Lions 17
Seahawks record: 4-4
So, at the halfway point, the Hawks stand at 4-4, still a decent shot at the playoffs. Let’s see how I think they’ll fare in the second half:
Week 9: November 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings still have some stars in Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen, they are a team in rebuilding mode and this really is a game the Hawks should and must win. Contain Jared Allen and AD, and this game is ours.
Prediction: Seahawks 34, Vikings 16
Seahawks record: 5-4
Week 10: November 11 vs. New York Jets
The Jets are one of those teams that could be a frontrunner for the Super Bowl, or a team that misses the playoffs with a record of around .500 or so. It’s really hard to say. But I think at this point the Hawks will be in a groove and will dispatch the Jets.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Jets 10
Seahawks record: 6-4
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: November 25 at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins won’t win the AFC East, but they’re no slouch, either. This should be a close game, at least at first, but I expect the Seahawks to pull away in the 2nd half. The Dolphins are an average team at best, while the Hawks have a lot of strengths and I believe are a slightly above average team.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Dolphins 17
Seahawks record: 7-4
Week 13: December 2 at Chicago Bears
At this point the Hawks would be in playoff position, but getting a win in December in Chicago is no easy task. Matt Flynn’s played in cold weather before, and the Hawks did blowout the Bears 38-14 in Chicago last year, but the Bears were missing both Cutler AND Matt Forte. If both of them play and they should, the Hawks will have a tough game. Bears by a hair.
Prediction: Bears 19, Seahawks 17
Seahawks record: 7-5
Week 14: December 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
This will be one of those pivotal must-win games for the Hawks. This also might be the game to determine who finishes higher in the division standings between these two teams. We won a squeaker at home last year vs. the Cards, and I expect the same this year.
Prediction: Seahawks 15, Cardinals 12
Seahawks record: 8-5
Week 15: December 16 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills are a team that’s slightly improving year after year, and after drafting well and signing Mario Williams they should be even better. Ryan Fitzpatrick is an above-average QB for them and again, another cold weather environment for the Hawks in December. Bless them. But Bills win.
Prediction: Bills 20, Seahawks 14
Seahawks record: 8-6
Week 16: December 23 vs. San Francisco 49ers
You talk about a potentially HUGE game, this is it. If the 49ers are 9-5 or 8-6 going into this game, it will be absolutely huge. This is a game that’s of course, hard to determine as it is four months out as I’m writing this (who knows who will be injured, who will be playing well, etc.). It’s really a coin flip, and this game will probably decide the Hawks playoff chances. I gotta go with my gut.
Prediction: 49ers 17, Seahawks 16
Seahawks record: 8-7
Week 17: December 30 vs. St. Louis Rams
Regardless of whether or not the Seahawks are playing for a playoff spot, this game should be a win, unless the Hawks have such a good record that they sit players out. Not likely. I predict a comfortable Seahawks win.
Prediction: Seahawks 31, Rams 14
Seahawks record: 9-7
So, for the 2nd straight year, I predict a record of 9-7 for the Seahawks. But like I said, it comes down to quarterback play. Will we make the playoffs? Well, you’ll just have to tune in to my prediction for the rest of the NFL to find out! However, last thing I have is leaders in each category:
Passing
Completions, Yards, TD’s: Matt Flynn
Rushing
Carries, Yards, TD’s: Marshawn Lynch
Receiving
Receptions: Zach Miller
Yards: Doug Baldwin
TD’s: Doug Baldwin
Defense
Sacks: Chris Clemons
Tackles: Kam Chancellor
Interceptions: Richard Sherman
I hope to be surprised this year, but in a good way! I can’t wait to see who will be this year’s Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Doug Baldwin. Should be a fun 2012 season for the Seahawks.
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