Mike Holmgren figures to be playing in the post-season for his final NFL season but how far can he take the Seattle Seahawks once he gets there? Matt Hasselbeck has developed into a fine NFL QB and his leadership will be counted on this season more than ever, with a suspect O-Line and an unproven running game. The 2008 Seattle Seahawks NFC West NFL Betting Odds to win the division are at almost even odds 4-5 at SBGglobal.com.
The Seahawks have replaced feint hearted RB Shaun Alexander and his fat contract with new RB Julius Jones via-Dallas. The addition of Julius Jones should bolster the offense in place of Alexander taking some pressure off Hasselbeck. Wide Receivers Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and Deion Branch form a fine trio of wideouts for Hasselbeck to attack opposing defenses with from the Seahawks West-coast offense.
The defense boasts one of the fastest and best set of linebackers in the NFL. Depth at linebacker is a concern but starters Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill are all outstanding athletes. The Defensive line has struggled to stop the run but DE Patrick Kerney has been an animal off the edge. Patrick Kerney is coming off a 14.5 sack season that earned him another Pro-Bowl berth. On the opposite side of Kerney, DE Daryl Tapp has been a major disappointment but rookie 1st round pick DE Lawrence Jackson out Florida State has talent and plenty of upside. Also drafted in the 4th round was 6'5" 328 Lb. DT Red Bryant out of Texas A&M who should immediately bolster the interior run defense.
The secondary has a terrific secondary with All-Pro CB Marcus Trufant, CB Kelly Jennings and reliable safeties Brian Russell and Deon Grant. The Seahawks special teams took a significant hit with the loss off automatic placekicker Josh Brown. Brown will be replaced by either the awful Olindo Mare, or rookie 7th round pick Brandon Coutu. Surprisingly, the Seattle Seahawks might not win their 5th straight division title because of the improvement of their division rivals but they most likely will make their 6th straight playoff appearance.
Brad Marchetti Seattle Seahawks NFL Power Ratings
*denotes best player at position
Coaching Staff: 8.0 *Mike Holmgren
Quarterbacks: 7.5 *Matt Hasselbeck
Halfbacks:6.5 *Julius Jones
Receivers: 6.5 *Bobby Engram *Deion Branch
Offensive line: 6.0 *Walter Jones
Defensive line: 7.5 *Patrick Kerney
Linebackers: 9.0 *Lofa Tatupu *Julian Peterson
Secondary: 7.5 *Marcus Trufant
Special Teams: 5.0 *Nate Burleson
Seattle Seahawks NFC West NFL Betting Odds To Win Division: 4-5
Seattle Seahawks NFC West NFL Betting Odds To Win NFC: 10-1
Seattle Seahawks NFC West NFL Betting Odds To Win Superbowl : 25-1
Seattle Seahawks NFC West Season Win Total: 8.5 Wins OVER -140
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