The 2019 NFL season is almost underway, and as I do every year, I talk about my Seahawks. The Seahawks go into 2019 after coming off a season in which they made the playoffs but failed to win a playoff game. That's the first time in the Russell Wilson era that after making the playoffs the Hawks failed to win a playoff game. I will go game by game predicting the outcome as I always do. This time, however, I am going to do something new. At the end, I'm going to go position by position and compare 2019's starters to 2018's. This will show how much the team has improved or regressed from last year, and should hold up to my comparison for the Hawks Win/Loss record. Here we go!
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Win 24-13 (1-0)
First off, if there is any game that you can pencil in as a victory on the Hawk's schedule, it is this one. The Bengals are expected to be one of the worst teams in the AFC and will be without their star wide receiver (and perhaps best player) in A.J. Green. Now the reason this isn't more of a blowout is because the Seahawks usually get off to a slow start offensively when the season begins. But the defense should shine.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers: Loss, 28-20 (1-1)
The Hawks have never scored a single point at Heinz Field... ever. Since the stadium opened in 2001, the Hawks have played two games there and were shut out both times. I think it's a safe bet to say the Hawks score in this one. However, I still think the Hawks remain winless there and fall in a fairly close one. The Hawks almost always lose to an AFC team every year, and this will be the one AFC loss this year.
Week 3 vs. New Orleans Saints: Win, 31-21 (2-1)
The Hawks have always played the Saints well at Century Link Field, and it remains that way. I also expect a bit of a down season from the Saints so that should help the Hawks' chances. I think it'll be a close game til late when Chris Carson pulls off Beastquake 2.0 (or 3.0?) and gives the Hawks a two-score lead for good.
Week 4 at Arizona Cardinals: Loss, 24-23 (2-2)
I hate playing in Arizona. That field has given our players so many injuries. Arizona, even though they haven't been that great in recent years, has always been a thorn in our side and will continue to be. The Hawks barely lose to a Cardinals team they probably should've beaten, and Kyler Murray gets his first signature win in the NFL.
Week 5 vs. Los Angeles Rams: Win, 35-31 (3-2)
We need to beat the Rams at home and by golly we will. Having the short week can be both a positive and negative but it works in the Hawks favor this time, as well as having the 12th Man for a prime time game. Russ goes off and the Hawks avoid having a losing record five weeks in.
Week 6 at Cleveland Browns: Win, 27-16 (4-2)
It almost isn't fair this week. The Hawks come off 10 days rest having last played two Thursdays ago. Meanwhile, the Browns come off of only 6 days rest thanks to playing on Monday Night Football the previous week. The Hawks use that to their advantage and beat the Brownies. We see OBJ yell at someone on the sidelines (probably Mayfield). Could this be the start of the Browns demise? If it's at the hands of the Seahawks, I wouldn't mind that at all.
Week 7 vs. Baltimore Ravens: Win, 22-17 (5-2)
In the Earl Thomas revenge game, the Hawks do indeed get revenge. Earl doesn't even factor into the game much and the Hawks take care of the Ravens. Lamar Jackson struggles throwing the ball and has to resort to screens and running the ball himself. And in a game where both teams are known for running more than passing, that's exactly what we get. We don't see a ton of punts or possessions thanks to all the running causing the clock to keep going.
Week 8 at Atlanta Falcons: Loss, 30-26 (5-3)
Alas, the Hawks three game winning streak comes to an end. The Hawks hang with the Falcons for most of the game, but the Falcons get the ball down 26-23, and while a FG does tie it, they go for the win and get a go ahead score, and the Hawks are unable to match it. I predict the Falcons to be a better team in 2019, so if that is the case, this will be a very tough game to win. Doable, but tough.
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win, 28-19 (6-3)
In a game that'll probably feature a Gay (TB) and a Dickson (SEA), we see a mostly uneventful game. The Hawks offense does just enough and Tampa Bay makes too many mistakes. Perhaps this is the game Jameis gets benched during. Or perhaps he's already been benched.
Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers: Loss, 30-28 (6-4)
Even more than losing to the Cardinals, I hate losing to the 49ers. Last year the 49ers won a game the Hawks definitely should've won, and we see the same thing again this year. The 49ers win thanks to a controversial official ruling that leaves Hawks fans steaming.
Week 11 BYE
Week 12 at Philadelphia Eagles: Loss, 34-24 (6-5)
The Eagles hand the Hawks their most lopsided loss of 2019. The Hawks compete and are in it in the 4th quarter down just 27-24, but a late pick-six thrown by Russ seals the game for the Eagles. The Hawks go into Week 13 worrying about their playoff hopes.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings: Win, 17-14 (7-5)
In a tough, defensive battle, the Hawks come out on top barely. This is the lone Monday night game, and I feel like we usually have one of our primetime games being a low-scoring tight game. This will be it in 2019. Jason Myers kicks a game winning field goal to put the Hawks at 7-5.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Rams: Loss, 29-20 (7-6)
In the final game the Hawks ever play at the Coliseum, the Hawks still cannot win there (again). In a game needed by both teams the Rams come out on top and pretty much clinch the NFC West with this victory.
Week 15 at Carolina Panthers: Win, 23-16 (8-6)
The Hawks have done well at Bank of America stadium, excluding that one playoff game... grr... This time is no different as the Hawks win a semi-low scoring game. The Panthers leave wondering what they have to do to beat the Hawks at home in the regular season.
Week 16 vs. Arizona Cardinals: Win, 34-14 (9-6)
In what may end up being the most pivotal game for the Hawks this season, they easily take care of the Cardinals to better their playoff chances. Russ goes off for close to 400 yards and the defense stymies Murray for the most part.
Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers: Win, 28-21 (10-6)
I'm not gonna lie, this game could determine which of these teams makes the playoffs. If my NFL predictions end up being what they are, that means going into this game the Hawks would be 9-6 and the 49ers 8-7. A victory for the 49ers would give them the tiebreaker over the Hawks because they would've beaten them twice. But the Hawks take care of business and secure a playoff spot for the seventh time in eight years.
Well, you know how the Hawks do if you read the other post. If not, I'll spoil it here. The Hawks win in the wild card round at Philly and get revenge for that week 12 loss, but then lose in the divisional round to the Rams. I know, I hate it. But I'm going for accuracy, not what I want. But the Hawks can again use this season to build off of to try to improve for 2020.
And now, to compare the position groups from last year to this year. If most of the players remain the same, I give it an even or a "push". I also will use small improvements and small regressions vs. big improvements and big regressions. Big results have an effect of 2 points, and small 1.
QB: Push
The only difference being the backup. We go from Hundley to either Smith or Lynch. Either way, they're not expected to see any significant time. Easy push.
RB: Push
We lost Mike Davis, so why the push? Rashaad Penny is going into his second year and I think he'll be even better than last year. Plus, Davis was not a featured back. Whoever our 3rd guy is shouldn't be much of a drop off, if at all.
WR: Small regression (-1, Score: -1)
Losing a leader in Baldwin hurts. I'll admit that. But we drafted three different wide receivers, one of whom in D.K. Metcalf could be a star. Because of the lack of experience I say a small regression.
TE: Push
Yet another push. We get Dissly back from injury so if he can stay healthy that'll be a bonus. Also added Jacob Hollister. But it's not a significant enough of an improvement.
OL: Small improvement (+1, Score: 0)
It's not that I didn't like Sweezy, but he just struggled at times last year, especially for a veteran. I like Mike Iupati, and for the first time in a while I can say our line should be very solid from left to right. Ifedi hopefully will keep making strides. The main key, as with any offensive line, is staying healthy. If they can stay healthy, they'll be a top 10 line for sure.
DL: Big regression (-2, Score: -2)
Frank Clark is not easily replaced. I hate that we had to trade him, but it made sense. His "replacement" in L.J. Collier just got hurt and might get off to a slow start thanks to missing training camp/preseason. On top of that, we lost our best nose tackle Jarran Reed six games to suspension. We're relying on guys like Green and Martin and Ford, and hopefully at least one can step up.
LB: Small improvement (+1, Score: -1)
We have a 99 overall player according to Madden in our linebacking crew. That's awesome. K.J. and Kendricks should solidify the outsides. But the reason for improvement is the depth added by drafting Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven. I think Barton at least is a stud. I don't recall having such great depth like this at the linebacking position ever.
DB: Small improvement (+1, Score: 0)
Shaquill Griffin is determined to rebound from a mediocre at best 2018 performance. He was constantly rated towards the bottom of cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. But that's not the reason for improvement. Drafting Blair and Abadi should add depth we need. I think we'll see improvements from both Flowers and Thompson, and let's not forget perhaps the most underrated safety in the NFL in Bradley McDougald. These guys should benefit from another year together.
Special Teams: Large improvement (+2, Score: 2)
Replacing Janikowski with Myers is reason for +1 points alone. If only we had just gone with Myers last year in training camp. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. We also drafted a bunch of guys who will probably excel on special teams coverage like the aforementioned linebackers and Travis Homer. I really expect special teams to be one of the Hawks strengths in 2019.
So overall, I have the Hawks better by 2 points. I have them improved at 4 positions and worse at only 2. Yet I predicted the same record they had last year. In other words, I expect the Seahawks to go at least 10-6. Anything less for me would be a disappointment. Some say the Hawks have a difficult schedule. I think it's doable. I am not only hoping but predicting the two divisions (outside of their own) the Seahawks have to play (The NFC South and AFC North) aren't that strong. I am actually predicting a total of three winning teams between the two divisions.
Oh, and before I forget, I might as well predict who I think will lead the Seahawks in categories that aren't a given (Passing TD's for example is a given: Russ)
Rushing Yards: Carson
Rushing TD's: Penny
Receiving TD's: Dissly
Receiving Yards: Lockett
Receptions: Lockett
Tackles: Wagner
Sacks: Ansah
Interceptions: Griffin
Gum chewed: Pete Carroll
Pep Talks given to teammates: Wilson
Here's to a successful 2019 season and as always, GO HAWKS!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment