5 Reasons Why The Seahawks Won't Repeat
by Jake Brown (@JBSportsRadio)
The Seattle Seahawks "Legion of Boom" aka LOB led them to their first Super Bowl title last season. They demolished the Denver Broncos in improbable fashion, 43-8 in the first "cold weather" Super Bowl. While there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the Seahawks should field a good team that should make the playoffs once again in 2014, they won't be repeating as Super Bowl champs. Here are five reasons why they won't be holding up another Vince Lombardi Trophy.
1. Lost too much talent in offseason
While the Seahawks gave key members of the LOB Richard Sherman and Cam Chancellor big-money deals, they lost more this offseason than they gained. Starting with that defense that led them to a title last season. Their secondary lost two key cornerbacks in Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond. Browner left for the Patriots and Thurmond to the Giants. Their defensive line lost a ton of depth by not bringing back Clinton McDonald, Chris Clemons, and Red Bryant. That defense won't be as dominant as they were last season.
On offense, Russell Wilson lost one of his favorite targets in Golden Tate. They do have Percy Harvin coming back, and they need him to stay healthy and put up big numbers. After him and Doug Baldwin, they don't have much depth in their receiving core. The run game will falter a bit this year, at least on the right side. They lost right tackle Breno Giacomini to the Jets in free agency. Their blocking up front won't be as strong as it was last season.
2. Best division in NFL this year
If Sam Bradford were healthy, all four teams in the NFC West would have a chance at making the playoffs. The Rams will still be pretty competitive even with Shaun Hill behind center. The Cardinals won 10 games last season and MISSED the playoffs. They bring back a strong defense and should find themselves in a playoff race once again. Oh yeah, they also have the 49ers in the division, who should be the favorites to win it. Despite some injuries and an Aldon Smith suspension, their defense is dangerous. Their offense only got better in the offseason. They have so many receivers and a good rookie back in Carlos Hyde behind future Hall of Famer Frank Gore. Six of the Seahawks 16 games come against their division foes.
3. NFC has improved
Not only is the NFC West improved, but the entire NFC is improved. There are really only two teams in the NFC that you can say won't make the playoffs, and those are the Vikings and Cowboys. Otherwise, everyone has a chance to at least compete for a Wild Card spot, if not the division. The 49ers and Saints have been picked by many to win the NFC. Both teams have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. The Eagles high-powered offense should do some more damage this season. If Aaron Rodgers is on the field, it's hard to see the Packers not have a chance to win the NFC. The Bucs, Bears, Falcons, and Redskins will all be improved this year as well. There are only six playoff spots...
4. Tough to repeat
History has shown that it's tough to repeat two years in a row in the NFL. It's especially tough with all the media attention they have faced. It seems like you see Russell Wilson everywhere. Richard Sherman never fails to fill the back pages. The NFL is different than it used to be. Teams have repeated in the past, but after the Patriots did it in 2004-2005, it has not happened. The landscape of the league has changed due to injuries and a more offense-oriented style of play. Refs are prepared to throw flags on defenses, and that's going to make it difficult for the Seahawks, who are led by their defense.
5. Rough schedule
If their six games against the division weren't enough, the Seahawks remaining 10 games won't be easy. They should take care of the Raiders and Cowboys, but after that, there are no locks. They have to take on the rest of the AFC West. The Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers all made the playoffs last season. The rest of the NFC East may not be great, but they will stay competitive. They also have to take on the Packers, who will be in the running for a Super Bowl and the Panthers, who had a breakout season last year. I can GUARANTEE that the Seahawks won't win 13 games again in 2014.
