The Seattle Seahawks earned their fourth straight playoff berth but will face a tougher task than they are used to having to go on the road for the entirety of the playoffs. It may be a more difficult road than Seattle has seen in their previous two trips, but here are five reasons why they could possibly make another Super Bowl run.
5. Experience
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY SportsSeattle is headed for their fourth straight trip to the playoffs with most of the core of their roster returning from the previous three runs. Coming off of two straight Super Bowl appearances, this is a team that has been here before and is well seasoned in playoff football.
4. Health
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Although they lost guys like Jimmy Graham and Thomas Rawls for the rest of the season, at this point it is looking as if Seattle has a real chance to head into the playoffs with their healthiest roster in weeks. It seems as though Marshawn Lynch is set to return after missing the last seven weeks and Kam Chancellor after missing the last three. Seattle also may be getting back two starting offensive linemen in J.R. Sweezy and Russell Okung who have both missed some time recently. As of Thursday, the only guy not practicing was Luke Willson, who is suffering from a concussion and they hope to get back soon.
3. Coaching
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY SportsHead coach Pete Carroll has made his mark as one of the best in the business since taking the Seahawks job in 2010. He has led this Seahawks team to where they are right now and has plenty of big game experience under his belt. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has been the center of a lot of scrutiny, but he has coached the offense since 2011 and led Seattle to one of their best offensive years in team history this season. Kris Richard is in his first year as defensive coordinator, but he has been with the team since 2010 in different capacities. In his first season at the helm, he led the stingiest defense in the NFL. As odd as it may be, one of the biggest weapons on the coaching staff is offensive line coach Tom Cable. He has built the offensive line up from one of the worst units through the first half of the season to a very formidable group and is a major asset to the Seahawks.
2. Russell Wilson
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY SportsWilson has put together a terrific season so far, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns and rush for over 500 yards in a single season. He took control of a Seahawks offense when they were struggling and has really taken off since Week 11, leading the league in passing touchdowns, touchdown-to-interception ratio and passer rating in that time period. Wilson was without his top running back and tight end options for a large portion of the season and had to stick it out through poor offensive line play the first half of the year as well. If he continues to play as he has over the last month and gets the addition of Marshawn Lynch, they are going to be a tough offense to stop.
1. Defense
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsThis Seattle team has fallen right in line with the Seahawks defenses over their current run of success, once again leading the league in fewest points allowed. This is the fourth straight season Seattle has led the league in that category. They have five Pro-Bowlers on the defensive side of the ball, including Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. They could have easily had more in K.J. Wright and Cliff Avril, both of whom are putting together outstanding seasons themselves. Seattle began the year on rocky ground on the defensive side of the ball, allowing more than 25 points in four of their first six games. It seems as if they have regained their groove though, allowing less than 14 points in six out of their last eight games. They have returned to the fearsome defense that we have seen in previous seasons, which could be one of the main things they lean on in the playoffs.
