Earlier this week, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters predicted records for all teams in the upcoming NFL season, which kicks off this Thursday night. The Green Bay Packers will face off against the Seattle Seahawks who were ranked 1st in these predictions, with reporters forecasting a 13-3 season that will be good enough to clinch the NFC West division and likely beyond. The Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVII and many fans and analysts alike have not expressed much surprise at the thought of them repeating this victory for the 2014-2015 season. The team is young, talented and surpassed constant doubt last season to dominate.Last year’s Seahawks Super Bowl squad was the 2nd youngest team in NFL history to be named champions, with the roster’s average age a mere 26.4 years old. The team may be young in general, but is stacked with top tier talent including WR Doug Baldwin, CB Richard Sherman, who were former Stanford teammates under current San Francisco 49ers head coach, Jim Harbaugh and went on to win the 2011 Orange Bowl in college; QB Russell Wilson and veterans - RB Marshawn Lynch and WR Percy Harvin who are also key players for the Seahawks. These guys know what they’re doing as does head coach, Pete Carroll who came to the Seahawks from USC in 2010 where he had spent 9 years as the head coach, producing 53 NFL draft picks during his tenure.
In preseason play, the Seahawks faced minor challenges, finishing 2-2. The Seahawks lost to their previous Super Bowl opponent, the Denver Broncos as well as the Oakland Raiders but were able to defeat the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears. Wilson completed 33 of 42 passes and the team is considered to have an impressive offense, keeping 7 wide receivers and 3 tight ends on their final roster.
With a stacked roster and hungry passion supported by the NFL’s loudest crowd, also known as 12th Man, the Seahawks are a fierce contender for repeating a Super Bowl victory and at the very least, advancing far into the playoffs. Kickoff for their season opener is on Thursday, September 4th at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBC.
