Feelings after a Second Super Bowl Title for the Seahawks

I realized I hadn't talked about it on here yet, but yes, my Seattle Seahawks are once again Super Bowl Champions!  I don't know if it hasn't fully sunk in yet or if I've almost become numb to winning, but I'm not overly ecstatic about this one for some reason.  I am, of course, very surprised that in Mike Macdonald's second season EVER as a head coach, he won a Super Bowl with us.  He turned us around so quickly.  The unfortunate thing for him is that this will be hard for him to live up to.  But on the flip side, he will be able to coast on this one for a while, regardless of how the Hawks do in the next few years.  I'm going to go over my overall thoughts about this team, what I expect going forward, and if we have a potential dynasty brewing here.

I honestly believe that this defense had a better year than the 2013 Seahawks did.  They were dominant against the run, and outside of Puka Nacua, no star players had a good game against the Hawks this past year.  The 2013 Hawks were hard-hitting and forced turnovers, while this defense just doesn't allow yards or points.  I think the latter is overall better, because they didn't have to rely on turnovers to do well.  

I'm just mostly stoked we have a competitive team with likable players.  Sam Darnold, our quarterback, is one of the most likable quarterbacks in the league after what he has gone through.  Geno Smith had a similar arc and story, but he didn't exude likability.  We know that if we build a consistent winner here, Sam will do what it takes to agree to a contract extension when the time comes, rather than demand a high amount that would hurt the team to give out.

What's crazy about this #1 defense is that there aren't really any huge stars on it.  Sure, there are Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon, and Ernest Jones, all of whom have gotten a Pro Bowl nod, at least second-team All-Pro, or both.  But they aren't the marketable defensive stars you see on other teams like TJ Watt, Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, Sauce Gardner, or Myles Garrett.  They're just a bunch of dudes.  It's funny that the best defense in the NFL only had one first-team All-Pro in Williams.  It shows the depth of this defense and how well-rounded they are.  Some defenses are poor against the pass, run, or both.  This team is poor against NOTHING.  There is not one situation or type of offense that they are weak against.  They can play heavy or light, whatever the situation calls for.  

I fully expect this team to continue to build, plug in holes when guys leave or retire, and continue to compete each and every year.  And if, worst-case scenario, they have a really bad year, general manager and team president John Schneider has shown he can build a team out given a few top picks, and isn't afraid to dish away a star player to help build a new team.  

It's crazy how the trades in recent years were mocked and lauded, only for them to work out swimmingly.  First, of course, was the Russell Wilson trade, which netted the Hawks multiple firsts and helped them land their stud left tackle in Charles Cross and a stud corner in Devon Witherspoon.  Then, just this past off-season, the trades of DK Metcalf and Geno Smith that netted the Hawks a second and third round pick.  The second round pick would eventually (after a trade with Tennessee) net them stud safety Nick Emmanwori, who was a vital contributor on the Super Bowl team.  The third round pick netted Jalen Milroe, who is a project QB, but I guarantee the Hawks are not going to just let him walk in a year or two.  

Do we have a potential dynasty?  Possibly.  The key will be if they can establish an identity on offense, and either get an offensive coordinator who will stick around, or establish an identity well enough so that it doesn't particularly matter who the OC is, as long as they stick to the script.  I think we're going to see a very competitive team from the Seahawks for the next several years, and I would not be surprised in the slightest if we saw another Super Bowl appearance or win.  I think best-case scenario we have a borderline dynasty, one that we could argue is a dynasty or not, similar to the Legion of Boom years in the 2010s.  

One thing that is potentially looming is the sale of the team.  Rumors have started sprouting about the team possibly going for sale.  If you have a good ownership situation, you do not want your team sold, but unfortunately, it will have to happen at some point, due to Paul Allen's passing and his sister Jodi serving as the temporary chairperson.  If the Hawks can get a good owner or a good ownership group, we should be ok.  I worry that the Hawks could go into someone's hands, like Jeff Bezos, who would only want to use the Hawks to further line his pockets and not be emotionally invested in the team.  I'll likely most a post about my thoughts when that happens, so I'll worry about that when the time comes.  

Ownership aside, I'm excited for the future.  Mike Macdonald will likely be our coach for a long time, and we know he's a good one.  And he seems like the kind of guy who isn't set in his ways, and is willing to evolve and change as the NFL game evolves and changes.  That's not something I could say about his predecessor.  And Sam Darnold, our QB, is already one of the top QB's in team history after just one year, so hopefully, he will grow and evolve as well and be a Seahawk for a long time, too.

It Hurts

To be one game away from our first World Series appearance... it hurts.  We had not one but two shots at clinching our first ever pennant, and we blew it both times.  We had a chance to even clinch on our home field, if we could just win 2 of 3 at home, but we couldn't.  As a lifelong Mariners fan, you wonder if it will ever truly be your year, your time to shine, and your chance for happiness.  The Mariners have now played 49 seasons.  At most, they've played with 14 other American League teams, so the law of averages would state they would be the final AL team about 3 times so far in their history.  Nope.  Not even once.  The Mariners have now been one step shy of the World Series four times, and all four times have failed.  I think I can begin to relate to how Buffalo Bills fans feel, how they were one step short of a Super Bowl win four times and failed all four times.  It doesn't seem remotely likely, yet it happened.  

I have to remember that after barely missing the playoffs the last two seasons, expectations were tempered for 2025.  Heck, even heading into September this year, the Mariners were at best expected to be a wild card.  But they went out and won the division for the first time in 24 years.  That was one milestone this team was long overdue to accomplish.  And, when they weren't expected to, they went out and did it.  

Now comes a crossroads for this team.  Will they continue to try to improve and take a step forward, or will they take a step back?  This may be the most important offseason in Mariners history.  Expectations are likely going to be high for this team in 2026.  Anything short of back-to-back division titles will likely be a disappointment.  

I think one of the most crucial factors that will determine this team's success next season, and their overall long-term success, is how they handle this heartbreak mentally.  Will they let it haunt them, or will they use it as motivation?  Cal Raleigh is now this team's vocal leader, so he'll need to lead by example, which he has so far done as a big league catcher.  In my mind, he's the MVP for that reason.  

But we have to continue to temper our expectations for the next season.  We expect too much, and disappointment becomes ever more likely.  I want to say this team will continue where they left off in 2025, but we have seen collapses before.  After the Seahawks lost Super Bowl XLIX, they could not handle it all too well, and they struggled out of the gate the following season and still to this day have not even returned to the NFC Championship game.  

But we can also be optimistic.  But I would advise caution.  This is a team that would rank near the bottom in MLB in terms of success vs. the age of the franchise.  They play their 50th season in 2026, and the question is, will it be a memorable one?  I would wager to say yes.  But will it be memorable for the right reasons?  That remains to be seen.  

Seahawks Predictions (NFL Preview Part 2 of 3)

For the first time ever, the Seahawks return to play as DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS.  Boy does that sound good to say.  The Seahawks open their season with tough opponents and finish with tough opponents, with a relatively easy middle part of their schedule.  How do I see them doing in each game?  Let's find out.  I'll go game by game, predicting the score for each contest.  Let's get to it!



Week 1 - Vs. Green Bay Packers: Win, 24-21
Hawks Record: 1-0

Opening night of the season, the Hawks fall behind early due to jitters and excitement and trail at the half 14-10.  But in the 2nd half the defense steps up and the Seahawks score two unanswered touchdowns to make it 24-14.  The Packers score in the 4th to make it close, and they are able to get the ball back, but the D stops them.  Should be close and hard fought, I don't see them possibly scoring more than the combined 45 points I predicted. 


Week 2 - At San Diego Chargers: Win, 28-13
Hawks Record: 2-0

San Diego was a playoff team a year ago, so this won't be too easy of a contest... you'd think.  But Philip Rivers will struggle against the LoB, not having seen them at their current playing ability.  Expect the D to make some big plays (turnovers, sacks) and the offense to only be ordinary at best in this one, which should be plenty enough.

Week 3 - Vs. Denver Broncos: Win, 31-24
Hawks Record: 3-0

In the rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, the Hawks again get the upper hand and win.  Peyton Manning will struggle at first with the noise but will eventually settle down.  Broncos will get stopped on a last minute try to tie the game. 

Week 5 - At Washington Redskins: Win, 28-10
Hawks Record: 4-0

The Seahawks are even better than the 2012 team that made the playoffs, but the same cannot be said for the team from Washington.  Predicting easy wins on the first two road games is risky, I'll admit, but the team will be well rested after a Bye Week and should be hungry in this one to keep things going.

Week 6 - Vs. Dallas Cowboys: Win, 34-16
Hawks Record: 5-0

Tony Romo has nightmares about Century Link Field.  I don't think he's ever won in Seattle, and that won't change.  This should be similar to the 2012 home opener in which the Hawks won handily.  This should also be one of the offense's better games of the season.

Week 7 - At St. Louis Rams: Loss, 20-19
Hawks Record: 5-1

Hard to do... but I can't see the Hawks going perfect.  And I see the Rams as a much improved team.  Should be close and hard fought, but the Hawks haven't done too well in recent years in St. Louis.  If the Rams don't improve much in 2014 then I wouldn't be surprised if this was a win.  But I think the Hawks may underestimate them.

Week 8 - At Carolina Panthers: Win, 10-7
Hawks Record: 6-1

How come the Seahawks have had to play IN Carolina for THREE straight years?  I'd understand two years in a row, but THREE?  That should not be allowed.  But no matter, the Hawks should win a defensive bruiser of a contest, with both QB's not getting to 200 yards passing.

Week 9 - Vs. Oakland Raiders: Win, 34-9
Hawks Record: 7-1

A part of me thinks the Raiders will be an improved team, but even so, this is a game everyone circles as a win in their predictions.  A loss to the Raiders at home would be inexcusable.  Matt Schaub will have flashbacks to last season when he through a game-blowing pick to Richard Sherman, and so he'll likely throw a couple INT's here. 

Week 10 - Vs. New York Giants: Win, 24-15
Hawks Record: 8-1

Whenever I pick the Giants to do poorly, they do well, and whenever I pick them to do well, they do poorly, so I give up.  Regardless, Eli Manning's never had much success in Seattle, and while this may be a closer contest than what we'd like, it should still be a relatively easy win. 

Week 11 - At Kansas City Chiefs: Loss, 28-20
Hawks Record: 8-2

Funny thing is, I don't see the Chiefs being as good as last year.  But the Hawks, having played in their seventh straight game without an off week at a stadium that's always hard for the visitors, I think, will struggle.  Jamaal Charles might have a big game.  If he does, and Alex Smith takes care of the football, this will be a tough game to win.  It's not too bad losing to a team on the road when they're in the other conference, because that doesn't factor into tiebreakers.

Week 12 - Vs. Arizona Cardinals: Win, 19-17
Hawks Record: 9-2

Two years ago in Seattle, the Hawks thwomped the Cardinals 58-0.  Last year, the Cardinals got their revenge and stole a win from the Hawks in Seattle, the first home loss in quite some time.  This time around, the Hawks are the ones getting revenge in what should be a tight contest again. 

Week 13 - At San Francisco 49ers: Win, 21-16
Hawks Record: 10-2

It's about damn time we win in San Francisco.  It's not a long flight, their fans aren't particularly loud, and the weather never plays a factor.  Since this game is being played in the newly constructed Levi's Stadium, the Hawks might think of this as a neutral site game (especially since there WILL be some Hawk fans there) and forget that it's a road game.  The Hawks know this is one of the most important games on their schedule, and their failure to win in San Francisco should fuel their desire for this win.  Hawks in an upset. 

Week 14 - At Philadelphia Eagles: Loss, 28-20.
Hawks Record: 10-3

The Eagles are more than likely the best team in the NFC East, and while I see this game going either way, I think the banged up Hawks (from the Niner game) struggle to contain Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy.  This game would have some playoff implications, but it's not the end of the world if the Hawks lose.  With two road contests in a row against NFC playoff teams from a year ago, the Hawks would probably be ok with going 1-1 in these contests. 

Week 15 - Vs. San Francisco 49ers: Win, 27-13
Hawks Record: 11-3

The 49ers will be seeking revenge yet shall find none.  Colin Kaepernick (if he's healthy) will struggle and the Hawks will put themselves in great position with this win.  I expect it to be a close game for the most part, with the Hawks pulling away with a late score to make it a two-score game.

Week 16 - At Arizona Cardinals: Win, 24-14
Hawks Record: 12-3

Last season, the Hawks had a pretty resounding win against the Cardinals in Arizona, and I see a similar result here.  For the 2nd straight year at the end of the season, the Hawks play at the site of the upcoming Super Bowl, and like last year, they will win.  They'll look at this game as a Super Bowl dress rehearsal. 

Week 17 - vs. St. Louis Rams: Loss, 19-17
Hawks Record: 12-4

In their defense, I'm predicting the Hawks to not have to win this game to secure a playoff spot.  Sure, they'll give the Rams a good effort, but without 100% effort, expect the hungry Rams to take advantage.  They haven't won in Seattle in quite some time, and that's due to change.  But don't worry Hawk fans, this game won't matter to the Hawks at all.

Well, that's it.  What?  No post-season?  Of course the Seahawks make the post-season.  They're way too talented to miss them.  But guess what?  You're going to have to wait until part 3 of my NFL Predictions to see how they do in the playoffs.  Sorry!  Don't want to spoil too much.  I'll give you a sneak peak.  The first game the Hawks will play will be against...


THE RAMS.

"WHAT?!"

That's right.  The Rams. 

"So if the Rams make the playoffs, does that mean the 49ers miss them?"

You're going to have to wait and see. 

Update:

Here is who I think will lead the Seahawks in each of the following categories.  Passing and rushing leaders will obviously be Wilson and Lynch, respectively, but what about the other categories?

Receptions: Baldwin
Receiving Yards: Baldwin
Receiving TD's: Kearse
Sacks: Avril
Tackles: Thomas
Interceptions: Thomas