Why defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks could struggle to match last season's 14-3 record

When baseball season started, I went in-depth on every single baseball team before Opening Day. I gave a betting preview and discussed the additions for each team. Believe it or not, we are about two months away from the beginning of the football season. So, I am going to do that for each one of the NFL teams. I’ll start based on records from last year, and we will begin with the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.

Last Year

The discussion around Sam Darnold’s career completely shifted. Two years ago, he was looked at as a bust. Now he will forever live as a Super Bowl champion. Seattle beat the Patriots 29-13 in one of the more boring Super Bowl games in recent memory. Getting to the Super Bowl was a difficult path – at least in the NFC Championship Game. The Seahawks had to survive a back-and-forth battle against the Rams and won the game 31-27. They destroyed the 49ers in a comical game. Basically, from kickoff on, they embarrassed San Francisco, winning 41-6. Overall, the team went 14-3 and looked like the best team in football.

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Offseason Additions and Subtractions

One of the bigger subtractions was Kenneth Walker III going to the Chiefs. Walker was the Super Bowl MVP, but there are other good running backs available in their room. They did lose some key pieces of their defense as well. Perhaps the one that will be the hardest to replace is Klint Kubiak, who is now the Raiders' head coach. They did extend some key pieces, though. They extended Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Charles Cross, and Derick Hall.

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Roster

I think it is hard to count out a team that has Sam Darnold and Smith-Njigba. Zach Charbonnet, who was injured in the playoffs, is now the primary back for the Seahawks. Even without Kubiak, they should still have a solid offense with their wide receiver corps. Smith-Njigba could be a top-three wide receiver (again), Cooper Kupp is one of the best veterans available, and Shaheed is a very strong third receiver. AJ Barner is also a solid tight end option, even though he is not one of the top options in the league. This defense was stronger than expected last season. They lost some pieces, so I do think they will be a bit worse, but still have many of their key players.

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Betting Outlook

The line on the Seahawks has dropped them from 14 wins to just 10.5 as their team total. I wouldn’t be overly surprised if the Seahawks do take a step back. Winning again after the Super Bowl is tough. The Rams are better, the 49ers are probably better, and even the Cardinals should be better. So, naturally, the Rams will take a step back. I don’t love the under 10.5, but I certainly won’t play the over. At -225, the Seahawks to make the playoffs have also lost value. If I had to play something, I would go under 10.5 as I have them at 10 wins, but this is one I’d stay off of.

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