Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks.
Pete Carroll has been the Seattle Seahawks coach since 2010. In his 11 seasons, the Seahawks reached the playoffs nine times, won five division titles, went to the Super Bowl twice, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. They also never finished last in the NFC West.
That changed last year as the Seahawks struggled with inconsistency and injuries all season. As a result, they ended with a 7-10 record, which was in the division basement.
After that dismal showing, management decided to make some changes. First, they dealt franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. G.M. John Schneider followed that move by releasing perennial All-Pro and future first-ballot Hall of Fame middle linebacker Bobby Wagner.
In Wilson’s absence, Geno Smith is the new number one quarterback. Someone who the Action Network ranked as the 32nd best (meaning worst) starting QB in the league. Seattle is also rebuilding the offensive line and starting a pair of rookies at the tackle spots.
The defense switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base set with the goal of generating a decent pass rush. They’d better because another pair of rookies, Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen, are likely to see plenty of playing time.
It’s not all doom and gloom, and the Seattle Seahawks didn’t tear down the team to the studs. In the offseason, they gave standout receiver D.K. Metcalf a contract extension and re-signed running back Rashaad Penny, who tore up defenses in the final six games of the 2021 season.
They still have stars like Jordyn Brooks, Tyler Lockett, Darrell Taylor, Noah Fant, and the best pair of safeties in the league, Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs.
So how will this season turn out? Our writers predict the Seahawks’ final 2022 record. We list them from least to most optimistic.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 4-13
Uggh, this is a disaster in the making. It makes me sick to think they might struggle at home against the New York teams.
Geno Smith is adequate at best, and the offensive line will struggle early. Rookie tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas should improve as they get more reps, but they will have their growing pains early. San Francisco, in Week 2, is set up for a Geno bloodbath.
I’m also interested to see how defensive rookies Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe develop. It probably doesn’t make a big difference this year, but it’s important they build a solid foundation for the future.
On the bright side, it’s near impossible to go winless in the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks should be in a good position to get their next franchise quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 5-12
Saved by a last-place schedule, the Seattle Seahawks will sweep the New York teams, take one from the 49ers, and beat Atlanta and Carolina.
The defense will remain the better unit. But the offense… I’d rather rip out my eyes, set them on fire, and bury them than watch that horror show.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 5-12
I can see the Hawks winning as little as 4 games or as many as 7 games. My prediction is they will finish 5-12 with wins over Atlanta, Detroit, both New York Teams, and one NFC West win. Not sure who it will be against, but I don’t believe the Seahawks will get swept in the division.
They could reach 6 wins with an upset of Denver in the opening week.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 6-11
I know that’s the cover, the projected win total, but the Seattle Seahawks will surprise some teams this year. They have several skill players, such as D.K. Metcalf and Rashaad Penny, who can break the big one anytime. Additionally, their offensive line should be vastly improved by the end of the season as their rookie tackles develop.
This year’s defense doesn’t excite me, but they don’t scare me as much as they have. Sure, opposing QBs will take advantage of their inexperience, especially at cornerback, but the switch to a 3-4 set should help generate more pressure.
Pencil the Seattle Seahawks for a win in at least one division game. The NFC West is too competitive to think they go 0-6 against Los Angeles, Arizona, and San Francisco.
Seattle also beats Atlanta, Carolina, NY Jets, and pulls off a season-opening shocker over Denver. Those are all home games. I also give the Hawks a decent chance to beat Detroit on the road.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 6-11
The Seattle Seahawks play a last-place schedule. Head Coach Pete Carroll isn’t good at losing, and the Seahawks always outperform expectations under him.
They’re also bringing back a potent running game (at some point this season) with a grind-it-out and win the time-of-possession game on offense. That will hopefully give their fast defense time to rest between series and keep them fresh.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 6-11
There is always a few games in an NFL season that the masses didn’t see the outcome coming. Take Week 1, for example.
The Seattle Seahawks had all offseason to prepare. They know all the pros and cons of Russell Wilson’s game. Plus, there is the added motivation of Wilson’s comments about “carrying the team”. And Seattle is the home team. It all adds up to the Seahawks having more than a “puncher’s chance” at beating Denver.
Pete Carroll has never won less than 6 games in a season, and Seattle has five games they should be favored in (Atlanta, Detroit, Carolina, and the two New York teams) to win. Add a victory over Denver to get the team to their 6 wins.
Of course, there will be a game or two where Seattle will lose unexpectedly and win unexpectedly. That’s just how Seahawks football works.
Seahawks 2022 Prediction: 9-8
I think the Seattle Seahawks get off to a slow start and will be under .500 in the first half. Then they pick it up, playing over .500 for the second half, as long as Rashaad Penny and the offensive line can stay healthy.
Most sports books have the Seattle Seahawks over/under at 5.5 to 6 wins. That’s pretty close to the number our writers think they can win (after throwing out the low and high).
What’s your win/loss prediction for the 2022 Seattle Seahawks? Let us know in the comments section below.