Seattle might just be the NFL’s Best Overall Team
Are the Seattle Seahawks ready to dethrone the San Francisco 49ers and take control of the NFC West and the NFL? It is a big question, but not one without merit.
The 49ers are the reigning champions of the NFC and lost in the Super Bowl last February against the Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos signed Wes Welker to add to their aerial attack and the Atlanta Falcons added running back Steven Jackson to an already potent offensive attack.
Nevertheless, the Seahawks, with Head Coach Pete Carroll at the helm, could have the most complete overall roster in the NFL to start the upcoming 2013 season.
Last season, Robert Griffin III earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck earned respect and admiration leading his Colts back to the playoffs following a 2-14 season the year before. Colin Kaepernick, who started just half the regular season for the 49ers helped lead his team to the Super Bowl.
Seattle’s Russell Wilson was overlooked by many but had statistics comparable to his fellow quarterbacks. Luck completed 54% of his passes and Griffin III 65.6%, while Wilson completed 64%. Luck had 4,370 yards in the air, Griffin III 3,200 and Wilson 3,118, but both Wilson and Griffin’s running game was much stronger.
Wilson’s stats however are very similar to those of Griffin’s and his touchdown percentage rate even topped RG III’s.
Seattle’s running game was very strong in 2012. The team ran 536 times, a league high, for 2,578 yards, an average of 4.8 yards a carry. Marshawn Lynch had 1,600 yards rushing with a 5.0 yards per rush average. If Lynch and Wilson were not enough, the Seahawks went out and drafted Christine Michael from Texas A&M. He has 4.54 speed and weighs 220 pounds.
With that running attack and Wilson’s raw natural ability to run and scramble in the pocket, Seattle is set to move to the next level.
Add in free agent acquisition Percy Harvin to the mix at wide receiver, and the Seahawks could become unstoppable on offense.
Defensively Seattle lost its defensive coordinator, but their defense should be able to withstand the loss.
The Seahawks added Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril during the offseason and both are currently healthy. However, Seattle will be without Bruce Irvin their pass rushing specialist who is suspended for four games to start the season. Richard Sherman is ready and will start locking up opponents’ No. 1 wide outs starting in early September at cornerback.
Last season the Seattle defense allowed opposing quarterbacks just a 71.8 rating, which was the NFL’s third lowest.
With Wilson set to join elite status, with a running game better than any other in the league, with a passing attack that is hard to stop with Wilson’s scrambling abilities and a defense that can stop both the run and pass, Seattle might just be the NFL’s best.
