Seahawks Season Preview: Divisional Opponents

As previously discussed, the ten non-divisional opponents in 2014 are no pushovers. The Packers, Chargers, Broncos, Panthers, Chiefs, and Eagles all made the post season last year and could give the Seahawks real tests (well I guess not the Packers ;) ). The other six games, against the NFC West teams, will be even tougher. Over the last few years the NFC West has turned into a hard hitting defense first division. All four teams feature formidable defenses capable of shutting down the league's best teams. This mean the quality of the four offenses are probably going to decide most games. This is a major plus for the Seahawks, who feature the divisions best running back, arguably the best quarter back and a top set of receivers. The Seahawks are going to have to rely on these guys to get the job done against the Rams, Cardinals, and 49ers.

The first and last divisional opponent the Seahawks face off against are the St. Louis Rams (Week 7 and 17 respectively). Leading up to the third preseason game the Rams were a team that would have been a playoff cinch in most other divisions. Over the last three NFL drafts they have had 28 picks, including 5 first rounders. 16 of 17 drafts picks from 2011 and 2012 saw playing time in 2013. Most of those they got by giving up the right to draft current Washington quarter back Robert Griffin III. The Rams are a young team that is good now and committed to being even better in the future.

In the present the Rams feature a great defensive front seven and an adequate offense. Defensive End Robert Quinn is a beast up front. He gives offensive lines around the league nightmares. Paired with Chris Long the DE duo should be near the top of the league in sacks once again. The line backers are also very talented. James Laurinaitis and Alex Ogletree are the stars here, each racked up over 115 tackles in 2013, but Jo-Lonn Dunbar is no slouch. All three of these guys can defend.

 It is the Rams Offense that should keep them from winning against the Seahawks. As hinted at before, they suffered a major season changing event during the third preseason game. Starting quarter back Sam Bradford torn his ACL once again and will miss the entire season. How important was Bradford to this season? Sports Illustrated had this to say in their offseason report card, "Will that ascension happen in 2014? Well, it could, if Bradford picks up where he left off last season pre-injury and all that youth matures." SI certainly thought Bradford playing well was a key to the Rams 2014 season. With Bradford out, this means Zac Stacy and the running game are going to have to step up big to carry the load.

This is a lot to ask from a sophomore running back who only averaged 3.9 yards per carry in 2013. The  Rams front office obviously agreed because they drafted former Auburn running back Tre Mason to help carry the load (which is why I am not happy to be stuck with Stacy in my fantasy league).

This all plays really well into the Seahawks hands. They should be able to bring Kam Chancellor and maybe even Earl Thomas up to stack the box against the run. Byron Maxwell and Richard Sherman should be more than able to stop the weak Rams passing attack. Basically, the Seahawks defense should feast during both of these games.

The next divisional opponent up are the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals finished last year 10-6 and were definitely the best NFC team left out of the playoffs looking in. Their biggest strength was their defense (just like everyone else in the NFC West). Coming into 2014 that defense has been greatly weakened. Karlos Dansby has left for the Browns, Daryl Washington is suspended for the year, and Safety Yeremiah Bell retired. Those are their three top tacklers from 2013 and all are gone. Additionally Darnell Dockett, who has been a good to great defensive tackle for the Cardinals over the last ten years, will miss the entire season with an ACL injury. Another blow to the Cards.

However, it is not all doom and gloom when talking about Arizona's defense. They still have Patrick Peterson, who is one of the best pass defenders in the league. Also they signed Antonio Cromartie who has been a great player in the past. Finally Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger, is expected to be back at full strength. So the secondary should be good. Fortunately the Seahawks rely on a smash mouth style of football that should be able to take advantage of the lack of front line defenders without suffering from the quality in the secondary.  I expect us to have more offensive success against the Cardinals this year.

On the Cardinals' offensive side things are less changed. They still have Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, and Michael Floyd leading the passing attack. Although that doesn't say much. Fitzgerald is awesome. No argument there. However, as a Cardinal, quarter back Carson Palmer has routinely failed to play well when it counts. The Legion of Boom should have no trouble containing this aerial assault.

In the rushing game they promoted Andre Ellington to the full time starter. This should be an upgrade over Rashard Mendenhall and his 3.2 yards per carry. Ellington can provide explosive running plays and is also a threat in the passing game. Even so I don't think he will be able to do enough to beat the Seahawks defense. I expect the Seahawks to contain the Cards offense at both CenturyLink Field and University of Phoenix Stadium.

The final NFC West team the Seahawks face are the hated San Francisco 49ers. The first matchup will take place on Thanksgiving day at the new Levi's Stadium. Assuming the season goes as expected for both teams this will be a very meaningful game and the whole country will be watching. I expect this to be the most competitive of the two matchups and a very probable loss for the Seahawks. The second game takes place in week 15 in Seattle, where the Seahawks are 3-1 against Jim Harbaugh led teams and have outscored the 49ers 111-52. The Seahawks defend their house against the 49ers.

Coming into the 2014 season the 49ers have suffered  one key injury and two key suspensions.  The 49ers will have to make it through their first several games without Navorro Bowman, Ray McDonald, and Aldon Smith. However, by the time Thanksgiving rolls around these should be old news. I doubt any will have a large impact on the Seahawks game.

On offense the 49ers are not much different than 2013's incarnation. They still have venerable running back Frank Gore, who despite being 31 still looks to be a league leader. They also re-signed quarterback Colin Kaepernick to a mega-deal that should keep him in red and gold for the foreseeable future. San Francisco also returns passing threats Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Their biggest concern on offense, as voiced by ninernation.com, is the offensive line, but even that is mostly hold overs from 2014. Only the starting center, Daniel Kilgore, is new.

On defense the 49ers look to have taken a step or two backwards, but that still leaves them as one of the league's best units. Their strength lines in their front seven and there weakness is clearly the secondary. Russell Wilson's passing will need to help carry us through these games. With a key downgrade at safety (Donte Whitner left via free agency) and a mediocre cornerback in Chris Culliver, I like our chances.

The 2014 49ers vs Seahawks matchups should be just like those of the last few years. Hard fought games full of intense emotion on both teams. This rivalry is fueled by the head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, who famously don't like each other very much. Both are back and both still have the fire to prove they are the best. These games are going to be fun to watch.

All things considered the NFC West is still one of the toughest divisions in football. When you combine this with their non-divisional games the Seahawks look to have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL. Nobody said glory came easily. The Seahawks are definitely going to have to work for their repeat. With Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom, I like their chances.