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Sunday critical to Seahawks hopes
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Five weeks ago, I examined the NFC West schedules and made projections on what could happen for the Seahawks this season. Since then, however, two unforeseen significant factors arose: QB Matt Hasselbeck's rib injury and the emergence of the San Francisco 49ers.
I had figured it would be the Hawks and Arizona battling down the wire with the 49ers a close third. That may still happen that way – or it may be that the 49ers out-distance both Seattle and Arizona down the stretch.
Now as the teams jog around their byes weeks (Arizona two weeks ago; San Francisco this week; Seattle next week), it's again time to project where the teams might be heading. One thing for sure is that all three have a slew of easy games ahead in which they had better win or the others will stride ahead.
As I see it, Arizona might be going through a rough patch the next couple weeks but will close the season very strong and finish at 10-6. Seattle and San Francisco could finish at 9-7. That depends on the Houston Texans. The 49ers play them on the road next Sunday. Seattle plays them Dec. 13, also on the road.
I think the 49ers fell to earth Sunday with a 45-10 loss to Atlanta at home. The Mike Singletary myth took a hit. They may struggle to regain what they had. Seattle, on the other hand, got a much-needed booster shot from their 41-0 victory over Jacksonville. Now it's paramount that the Hawks beat Arizona at home Sunday.
If they don't, their playoff scenarios become quite desperate. The Cardinals don't have many challenges after that.
But if the Hawks can get to 3-3, they'll have a bye week then get a bunch of injured players back for week eight. The mood and their fortunes are changing.
Here's a look at how I see the rest of the season going. It certainly depends on whether Hasselbeck can stay healthy:
SEAHAWKS SCHEDULE
PROJECTED: 7-4 (9-7 overall)
W - Arizona (2-2)
L - At Dallas (3-2)
W – Detroit (1-4)
L - At Arizona (2-2)
L - At Minnesota (5-0)
W - At St. Louis (0-5)
W - San Francisco (3-2)
W - At Houston (2-3)
W - Tampa Bay (0-5))
L – At Green Bay (2-2)
W – Tennessee (0-5)
Opponents record: 20-32
Opponents home record: 14-14
CARDINALS SCHEDULE
PROJECTED: 8-4 (10-6 overall)
L - At Seattle (2-3)
L - At NY Giants (5-0)
W – Carolina (1-3)
L - At Chicago (3-1)
W - Seattle (2-3)
W - At St. Louis (0-5)
W - At Tennessee (0-5)
W – Minnesota (5-0)
L - At San Francisco (3-2)
W - At Detroit (1-4)
W - St. Louis (0-5)
W - Green Bay (2-2)
Opponents record: 24-33
Opponents home record: 12-17
49ERS SCHEDULE
PROJECTED: 6-5 (9-7 overall)
L - At Houston (2-3)
L - At Indianapolis (2-3)
W - Tennessee (0-5)
W - Chicago (3-1)
L - At Green Bay (2-2)
W - Jacksonville (2-3)
L - At Seattle (2-3)
W - Arizona (2-2)
L - At Philadelphia (3-1)
W - Detroit (1-4)
W - At St. Louis (0-5)
Opponents record: 19-32
Opponents home record: 10-18
According to this, all three teams will win all their remaining home games, which, on the surface, seems improbable. They also all will win on the road at St. Louis (poor Rams).
Houston, I figure, is getting its offense together and may beat Arizona Sunday. But I reverse it (wishful thinking, perhaps) when the Hawks, reinforced with returning players from injuries, go to Houston and win. One of the key games for Arizona is Nov. 8 at Chicago. The Bears are not a great team but, hopefully, the weather can be a factor in holding off the Cardinals.
Two other tough ones are Minnesota and Green Bay, but both are at home. I think Arizona wins both but one slip and it could be chaos.
Each team plays two teams the others don't. Seattle plays at Dallas and home with Tampa. They should go 1-1, although the way the Cowboys are playing the Hawks have a chance. That would represent the crucial game of the season – for both teams.
Arizona plays at the New York Giants and home with Carolina. A likely split. San Francisco played (and lost to) Atlanta at home and at Philadelphia. Perhaps 0-2.
Watch the way all three teams finish their last five games. Seattle and Arizona could both win four of their last five while San Francisco could win three (if Seattle beats the 49ers at home on Dec. 6).
In another five weeks, we'll re-stack them again.
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