Are the Seattle Seahawks Still Capable of Beating Their Over/Under in 2021?

The Seattle Seahawks currently hold an Over/Under at 10 games, as of April 20th, 2021. The Seahawks would have crushed this Over/Under in 2020, having finished the season 12-4. Here in 2021, are they better off, or has drama gotten to them?

Today’s post isn’t telling you what to do. Instead, it’s breaking down everything you must know about the Seattle Seahawks before you place your bet.

Let’s get started and give you a better shot to win against those NFL betting sites.

State of the Seattle Seahawks Roster

We can argue that drama encompassed the Seahawks in the early stages of the 2021 offseason. Trade rumors swirled around quarterback Russell Wilson. And he even picked 4 destinations. One of which, the Chicago Bears, pursued him before they settled for Andy Dalton.

The Seahawks re-signed many of their own players, including those on the offensive line. They also re-signed star defensive end Carlos Dunlap, and signed pass rusher Aldon Smith. However, Smith may once again find himself in trouble per recent stories, so his eligibility will be up in the air.

As mentioned, Seattle finished 12-4 in 2020, and since they re-signed many of their own, you can automatically assume they’re a safer bet here. And if you assume so, you’re absolutely correct in your judgment.

The problem, however, is that they still struggled with one of the league’s worst defenses in 2020. And since they didn’t sign any stud defenders for 2021, it shows that if teams score on them as they did in 2020, the Hawks are in trouble.

But, Russell Wilson is still a Seahawk…for now.

Sure, some crazy trade can always occur between today’s writing and September. If it does, you know the Hawks will get a decent quarterback in return. So don’t expect Danny Etling or Alex McGough to take Wilson’s place.

Instead, expect a star to take over if this becomes the case. Most likely, it’ll be Derek Carr, since Wilson listed the Raiders as a preferred trade destination. Wilson for Carr, in reality, will neither improve nor cause such a ruckus in Seattle that they would automatically become a popular bet for the Under.

Seattle Seahawks Strengths

Carrying on from the above section, Wilson remains the team’s greatest strength. He has built solid chemistry with his pass catching unit, and he can still scramble and pick up positive yards as needed. The Seahawks also signed Gerald Everett from the Los Angeles Rams to add to Wilson’s arsenal.

Also, the team brought back running back Chris Carson to pair with Rashaad Penny. But they also have Alex Collins, Travis Homer, and Deejay Dallas. About the most unspectacular group out there, but a dynamic committee behind Wilson. Each of the aforementioned players can or has produced.

Also, with Dunlap available, it means the team will at least boast a decent pass rush. If Smith’s cleared of any potential charges facing him, the Seahawks will have a dynamic duo on the edge. Something they have lacked in years.

The defensive backfield took a huge hit when they lost Shaquill Griffin, but Jamal Adams’ presence will at least balance things out.

And of course, the Seahawks have one of the league’s best and most consistent head coaches in Pete Carroll.

Like Wilson, if Carroll continues to stalk the team’s sidelines, they will always threaten to contend. Until both Wilson and Carroll leave, Seattle will remain a formidable franchise.

Seattle Seahawks Weaknesses

Obviously, the weakness remains in the team’s defense. Sure, having Adams in the defensive backfield is huge. But he also battled injuries in 2020. Besides Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks also lack a competent linebacker. And as usual, the Seahawks lack draft picks.

Once again, the Seahawks must rely on Wilson’s hot hand and the offense. But as the team sputtered some down the stretch, it shows they cannot remain one-dimensional if they wish to again contend not just for the Over/Under, but for the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.

It’s safer to say they will. But let’s be honest: The Seahawks also play in the league’s toughest division. So as for winning the NFC West again, things look bleaker in 2021 than they did in 2020. And while they won the West, they were one and done in the playoffs.

They also allowed 371 points, over 3 touchdowns per game, on average, in 2020. Count the sole playoff game, and they allowed a grand total of 401 while scoring 479. A plus-78 point differential shows just how bad this defense was in 2020.

Was it just money, or is there more to the story why Griffen went to a team that finished 1-15 in 2020 over a playoff team that went 12-4 in the Seahawks?

That should also send red flags blaring regarding the overall state and weaknesses of this football team. Especially given Russell Wilson’s frustrations. And odds are, a few disgruntled players have left Seattle since the Carroll era began.

Seattle Seahawks Schedule

Let’s talk about the schedule, and things don’t get any easier for the Seahawks. As mentioned, they’re playing 6 of their 17 games against the NFC West. And there’s not a single cupcake opponent in their division. They’ll be lucky to break .500, especially if the San Francisco 49ers avoid the injury bug.

But wait, there’s more. Since the Seahawks finished 1st in the NFC West, they must also play the Washington Football Team, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints. The Football Team had the league’s second-best defense, and after a stellar offseason, their offense now matches.

The Steelers are the wildcard. They’re weaker than they were in 2020.

Of course not. Plus, the Steelers have historically proven critics wrong every time someone labels them an underdog. Don’t fall for it.

As for the Saints, Drew Brees retired. But again, don’t let his retirement fool you. Over the past 2 seasons, the team has finished with an 8-1 record with someone other than Brees under center. Stellar for a team who supposedly relied on the aging quarterback.

Things get easier, as they play the AFC South along with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are tough opponents, and overall, the Seahawks will play 5 division winners from the previous season.

They must beat the teams they can beat, break .500 in the NFC West, and finish 3-2, at worst, against the other division winners if they want a shot to break their 10-game threshold. It won’t be easy.

Are the Seahawks Capable?

The Seahawks are more than capable, as they have shown in the past. Again, with Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll still ruling things in the Rainy City, the Seahawks always figure to be Super Bowl contenders. Their offense remains strong as ever.

Couple their one-dimensional team with a brutal schedule, perhaps the toughest in football, in 2021, and things remain bleak for the Seahawks. However, as I noted you can’t bet against Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin, it’s also hard to bet against Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll.

Conclusion

Overall, the Seattle Seahawks remain a contender and they can once again encroach their Over/Under. However, with offseason drama and lack of improvement on defense, doing so will be harder in 2021 than it was in 2020. Especially since every team in their division improved.

The question remains whether the defense will hold when their offense experiences a bad day, as they are bound to. What are your thoughts on the Seahawks’ Over/Under? Do you believe they will once again encroach it, or have time run out?

PLACE YOUR BETS NOW!