2009 Seattle Seahawks NFL Predictions

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seahawks 81309After four straight NFC West titles, the Seattle Seahawks fell to third place in the division with a 4-12 mark.  It was their first losing season since 2002 and their worst season since 1992.  Now the Seahawks turn to new head coach Jim Mora to bring them back. NFL odds makers have listed the Seattle Seahawks at +5000 to win Super Bowl XLIV.

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Offense – The Seahawks were plagued by injuries last season. In fact, 26 different players missed a combined 164 games due to the injury bug. But no player’s injury hurt the Seahawks more than Matt Hasselbeck’s.  His bulging disk problem kept him out over half the season. Hasselbeck is expected to return fully healthy and is reportedly feeling great. Perhaps 2009 will mark a return to his Pro Bowl form.

With Maurice Morris being allowed to leave via free agency, Julius Jones steps in as the team’s main running back. The team’s transition to a zone blocking scheme should benefit Jones. T.J. Duckett, who played under Mora in Atlanta, is expected to see more of the field as well.

The wide receiver position hasn’t had much star power in recent years in Seattle and it fell to a new low last season. The signing of T.J. Houshmanzadeh has the organization very excited in 2009, however. He was extremely productive in Cincy and I’m expecting him to put up even bigger numbers now that he’s the No. 1 guy. Deion Branch and Nate Burleson will be in the mix at receiver also. The team is expecting big things from tight end John Carlson as well. He became the first Seahawks rookie to lead the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown grabs since Steve Largent did it over 30 years ago.

It is extremely vital that the offensive line stay healthy this season after all five starters finished 2008 on the injured reserve list.

Defense – The Seattle defense flat out stunk in 2008, ranking a miserable 32nd in the league in pass defense. New defensive coordinator Casey Bradley only knows one way to fix that – more pressure. The defense should instantly improve with left end Patrick Kerney back on the field. The Seahawks really struggled when he missed the final nine games of the season with a shoulder injury. Bradley will be looking to get more from ends Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp also. The addition of Collin Cole at nose tackle appears to be a good one for a unit in need of front line help.

The linebacker unit remains the strength of the defense, led by middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu. The Seahawks traded away Julian Peterson, but rookie Aaron Curry has star written all over him and will be Peterson’s replacement. Leroy Hill will star on the weak side.

The secondary certainly didn’t benefit from Seattle’s lack of a pass rush last season but not all the blame can be assigned to the guys up front. Plain and simple, the defensive backfield must play better than it did a year ago. Cornerback Marcus Trufant leads the unit and is hoping he can regain his 2007 Pro Bowl form. Ken Lucas is expected to join him at the other corner with Brian Russell and Deon Grant at the safeties.

Prediction: 3rd NFC WestFind out how I have the division shaping up in my NFC West predictions.  Just having a healthy team will go a long ways toward the Seahawks making a major turnaround this season, but ultimately I don’t see them reclaiming the division crown. The team must adjust to a new coaching staff and new schemes on both sides of the football and those things take time to mesh. The Seahawks are listed at +210 to win the NFC West Division.

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About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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