For the first time since 2011, the Seattle Seahawks missed the postseason and, in response, completely blew up the team. The Seahawks have shed talent and contracts all offsesasoon, but as long as Russell Wilson is suited up and on the field, it could stay interesting.
It’s respect for Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll that helped the oddsmakers at BetDSI Sportsbook put this high a number on the over-under for the team’s 2018 campaign. Here, take a look.
Seattle Seahawks 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 9 (-105)
Under 9 (-125)
Even though Seattle missed the postseason in 2017, they still finished with a winning record at 9-7. Since Carroll took over in 2010, the Seahawks have finished with fewer than nine wins just twice, 2010 and 2011 and still won the NFC West and won a playoff game that first season.
The fact is, last year was the first since Carroll’s first two with the team that Seattle didn’t win at least 10 games so when you factor that in, it’s easy to see why the over-under is so high.
It's like someone on Twitter said Russell Wilson couldn't succeed in Andrew Luck's situation, and the Seahawks are trying to recreate it to prove otherwise.
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) June 13, 2018
While this isn’t the Seahawks team of years past, it’s not like they’re completely without talent. Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Doug Baldwin is an underrated wideout and the team added Brandon Marshall as a free agent to be their No. 2. Tyler Lockett is a constant deep threat and if he could develop more as a slot guy, could really cause some problems.
In the backfield, Seattle has been scrambling to replace Marshawn Lynch for years, even when Lynch was still on the team. They reached and selected Rashaad Penny in the first round of April’s NFL Draft and the job is his if he can take it. Behind him, Chris Carson and Mike Davis are not much more than back ups.
On defense, Frank Clark steps in as the No. 1 LDE after the team traded away Michael Bennett. They drafted on of the best NCAA passrushers in Rasheem Green out of USC in the third round and don’t be surprised to see him start from Day One. Seattle has high draft picks all across the defensive line, but not much behind them.
Earl Thomas: “I don’t literally mean ‘come get me now.’ I’m still in the prime of my career. I still want to be here. But when Seattle kicks me to the curb, please, the Cowboys come get me. That’s the only place I’d rather be if I get kicked to the curb.” https://t.co/6xamiHYm6H
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 10, 2018
At linebacker, Bobby Wagner may be the second best inside guy in the league after Luke Keuckly. K.J. Wright is good in the run game, but is downright abused in the passing game. The defensive backfield, which was a strength, is now a liability with Neiko Thorpe and Justin Coleman slated to start on the outside. Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are the best safety tandem in the league, but with Thomas holding out for a new contract (on a team that’s tossing contracts out the window), he might not be on this team when the season begins.
The problem with taking the over for Seattle is their division. Every team improved in the offseason, except the Seahawks, and none of them did enough to catch the Los Angeles Rams. Like with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, the math for nine wins just might not be there. I say take the under.
