Seattle To Take Step Back In 2018 Campaign

The Seattle Seahawks were once the dominant team in the NFL, but are now in trouble of plummeting towards the top five picks in the 2019 Draft.

Pete Carroll’s men won the Super Bowl in the 2013 campaign, hammering the Denver Broncos with their dominant defense leading the way to the crown.

The same team were on the brink of securing back-to-back titles, only to be denied by Malcolm Butler on the goalline as the New England Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX.

It was the beginning of the end for Seattle’s dominant team. The seeds of discontent were sewn by the decision to pass rather than to hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch.

Slowly the dominant defense has been whittled down, with only one survivor of the legendary ‘Legion of Boom’ currently still with the team. Earl Thomas reportedly wants to leave the team due to a dispute over his contract, which would leave a lot on the shoulders of the offense.

Russell Wilson has been an outstanding quarterback since his rookie term. His play alone kept the Seahawks competitive last term, but it might not be enough in the 2018 campaign.

Offense

The Seahawks placed more responsibility on Wilson’s shoulders last season, with the quarterback attempting more passes than ever in the 2017 term. Wilson led the NFL in passing touchdowns with 34 strikes to 11 interceptions. The 29-year-old will have to operate at that level once again in the 2018 campaign due to the departures on defense. However, he will have to do so without his primary redzone target Jimmy Graham, who left the Seahawks to join the Green Bay Packers. Wilson has been renowned for his ability to move in the pocket.

It has allowed him to survive despite the deficiencies of his offensive line. Seattle still have not invested heavily in the position, putting the quarterback once again under pressure to evade the rush. New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has a challenge in keeping Wilson upright. Darrell Bevell paid the price along with offensive line coach Tom Cable for the struggles of the offense. New offensive line coach Mike Solari has to find a system to protect Wilson and ensure that the Seahawks can get the running game going.

Seattle selected Rashaad Penny in the first round of the 2018 Draft. He has the ability to provide the same rushing threat as Lynch, having impressed during his college days with San Diego State. Should the Seahawks get the ground game back to its best then it could be used to save their undermanned defense.

Doug Baldwin has been a model of consistency over the past five seasons. He has been Wilson’s trusted target in the receiving corps, recording 991 receiving yards last term and eight touchdowns. Baldwin cannot afford to drop off in his play with only Tyler Lockett among the wide receivers that has a decent rapport with Wilson left following the departure of Paul Richardson.

Defense

The dominant unit that won the Seahawks the title in 2013 is no more. Almost all of the key players that played a crucial role in delivering the crown have left the club. Richard Sherman was perhaps the high profile as he was released from his contract and signed by Seattle’s bitter rivals the San Francisco 49ers. That move would have been unthinkable four years ago, but Sherman will be wearing the red and gold rather than the blue and green of Seattle next term.

Outstanding pass-rusher Michael Bennett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the defensive line without their best player. Frank Clark has shown potential during his time at the club, but has been elevated from the third option to number one following the retirement of Cliff Avril. Rasheem Green was selected in the third round of the 2018 Draft, while veterans Marcus Smith and Dion Jordan have talent that they have yet to fully utilise. However, the fearsome pass-rush that tormented the Broncos in the Super Bowl has left the building.

The linebacking corps remains intact. Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright become more important than ever to Carroll’s men. Both players are good leaders, while Wagner is arguably the best player in his position in the NFL, especially with his ability to remain on the field. They will have to continue to operate at the peak of their powers to keep Seattle afloat. Barkevious Mingo and Shaqiuem Griffin will offer support, although they cannot be expected to play significant snaps.

The secondary is where the Seahawks will be under the most scrutiny. So much rests on retaining the services of Thomas. If he goes the unit could be one of the worst in the NFL in 2018. It does not look overly promising, but Seattle do control his contract. Kam Chancellor was forced to retire from the NFL, breaking apart the devastating tandem of safeties. Outside of Thomas there is a dearth of talent, although Shaquill Griffin did display promise in his first term.

Betting Options

It would take an ambitious supporter to take the Seahawks to win the NFC West next term. Compared to the Los Angeles Rams and the 49ers, their roster is weak to say the least. They have a decent price at 5.00Bet €100 to win €5004/1Bet £100 to win £500+400Bet $100 to win $5004.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$5004.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp500-0.2500Bet RM100 to win RM500  with TopBet to win the division, which could be worth a punt only on value. Seattle won nine matches last season, but expect them to take a step back in 2018. Take them at odds of 1.71Bet €100 to win €17171/100Bet £100 to win £171-141Bet $100 to win $1710.71Bet HK$100 to win HK$171-1.41Bet Rp100 to win Rp1710.7100Bet RM100 to win RM171  to win under eight games with TopBet, while back them not to reach the playoffs at 1.35Bet €100 to win €1357/20Bet £100 to win £135-286Bet $100 to win $1350.35Bet HK$100 to win HK$135-2.86Bet Rp100 to win Rp1350.3500Bet RM100 to win RM135  with 888Sport.

Wilson will be under pressure more than ever so take him to record over 25 touchdowns at odds of 1.80Bet €100 to win €1804/5Bet £100 to win £180-125Bet $100 to win $1800.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$180-1.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp1800.8000Bet RM100 to win RM180  along with over 3,851 passing yards at odds of 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187 . The pressure may result in the quarterback throwing more interceptions than usual. Back Wilson to throw 15 or more picks at odds of 2.15Bet €100 to win €21523/20Bet £100 to win £215+115Bet $100 to win $2151.15Bet HK$100 to win HK$2151.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp215-0.8696Bet RM100 to win RM215  at BetOnline.  Baldwin will be a vital player for the Seahawks in the 2018 term. However, at the age of 30, his effectiveness will be diminished, especially with the attention he will be receiving from opposing teams. Back him to record under 1,100 yards at 1.95Bet €100 to win €19519/20Bet £100 to win £195-105Bet $100 to win $1950.95Bet HK$100 to win HK$195-1.05Bet Rp100 to win Rp1950.9500Bet RM100 to win RM195 with BetOnline and seven touchdowns and under at odds of 1.80Bet €100 to win €1804/5Bet £100 to win £180-125Bet $100 to win $1800.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$180-1.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp1800.8000Bet RM100 to win RM180 .

Tips Summary

Seattle Seahawks To Win NFC West
Odds: 5.00Bet €100 to win €5004/1Bet £100 to win £500+400Bet $100 to win $5004.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$5004.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp500-0.2500Bet RM100 to win RM500

Seattle Seahawks Not To Reach Playoffs
Odds: 1.35Bet €100 to win €1357/20Bet £100 to win £135-286Bet $100 to win $1350.35Bet HK$100 to win HK$135-2.86Bet Rp100 to win Rp1350.3500Bet RM100 to win RM135

Seattle Seahawks To Win Under Eight Matches
Odds: 1.71Bet €100 to win €17171/100Bet £100 to win £171-141Bet $100 to win $1710.71Bet HK$100 to win HK$171-1.41Bet Rp100 to win Rp1710.7100Bet RM100 to win RM171

Russell Wilson To Throw Over 25 Touchdowns
Odds: 1.80Bet €100 to win €1804/5Bet £100 to win £180-125Bet $100 to win $1800.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$180-1.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp1800.8000Bet RM100 to win RM180

Russell Wilson To Throw Over 3,851 Passing Yards
Odds: 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187

Russell Wilson To Throw Over 15 Interceptions
Odds: 2.15Bet €100 to win €21523/20Bet £100 to win £215+115Bet $100 to win $2151.15Bet HK$100 to win HK$2151.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp215-0.8696Bet RM100 to win RM215

Doug Baldwin To Record Under 1,100 Yards
Odds: 1.95Bet €100 to win €19519/20Bet £100 to win £195-105Bet $100 to win $1950.95Bet HK$100 to win HK$195-1.05Bet Rp100 to win Rp1950.9500Bet RM100 to win RM195

Doug Baldwin To Record Under Seven Touchdowns
Odds: 1.80Bet €100 to win €1804/5Bet £100 to win £180-125Bet $100 to win $1800.80Bet HK$100 to win HK$180-1.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp1800.8000Bet RM100 to win RM180