Seahawks Time to Get Back to Work

The last week the Seattle Seahawks had an off-week more known as the bye week. The players got to go wherever they wanted to relax or re-focus for the second half of the season.

I am not sure the NFL would like it but it would be nice if all the teams had their bye week at half way point of the season, or at the very least the week before or after. What I am saying if the NFL doesn’t want to have an off week for all the teams at the same time they could have a third of them take it after seven games, another third after eight games, and the remaining teams after nine games. This would allow the season to go on happening, and make the bye week fairer for teams than breaking them up throughout the season. I know the Seahawks have had seasons where the bye week wasn’t until after twelve games which really doesn’t seem fair. This way teams can have players who are injured and still playing recoup along with the teams refocusing.

The Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday in Seattle. I would not say this is a must game for the Seahawks; however, it is as close as you can get to one since the Cardinals at the top of the western division in the national football conference. The only way the Seahawks can really win the division is that they have to win both games against the Cardinals.

The Seahawks usually play better the second half of the season, and for them to make the playoffs this year they must do so again. Currently they are at a record of 4-4, and for the Seahawks to make the playoffs they must go 6-2 at the very least. The defense has been playing really good of late so they just need to keep it going especially in the fourth quarter where they have blown most of the four losses. The offense on the other hand have to improve over the play have done so far this season. Pete Carroll is always optimistic; however, we all know as Seahawk fans as well as media and players it is the Seahawks won’t go 6-2 if the offense does not improve over the first half of the season. The offense especially needs to improve on third downs and this is especially true in the red zone. The team can’t afford to continue making primarily field goals to expect to win games especially in the fourth quarter. The last three years the Seahawks have dominated the fourth quarter so they must do so again this second half of season. The offensive line needs to continue to improve so they can give the ball to Marshawn Lynch in the fourth quarter with a lead. The team needs to be sure to keep the defense off the field as often as possible. I like the fact that Russell Wilson was able to roll out some against the Dallas Cowboys. I know they talk how scrambling is what Wilson does the best but  I don’t really like him going back to the pocket with a rush coming his way is the best for the team. Another important thing for the offense is not to be so predictable so I would look at running a lot of different formations to keep the oppositions defense guessing.

Michael Bennet has been playing the best defense in the league this year on the Seahawk defensive line. Going into the season like Kam Chancellor he felt under paid; instead of holding out he came in to have the best season of his career. He will be going one year left in his contract next season so he will be in a good position to renegotiate his contact unlike Chancellor who was going into three years of his contract. I am not sure where the Seahawks are looking at as far as renegotiating Chancellor’s contract after the season because they really do not have to but if I were them I would look at giving him additional increase in pay as well as adding years to Bennet’s contract. Unlike this last off season they don’t have too many players to sign new contracts to. I am sure the salary cap will be going up again so they may have some area to give more money even though Wilson’s high contract goes into full effect. It will all be interesting to see what happens. Getting back to now though the team needs to find a way to make the playoffs and get back to their third Super Bowl in a row and avenge the loss to the Patriots last season. Go Seahawks!