Seattle Seahawks: 5 Observations from the 2017 Schedule
By Paul Taylor
The release of the NFL schedule is usually an exciting time of year for fans, as we provide our thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks’ 2017 season.
The official announcement of the NFL schedule is a fun time for Seattle Seahawks‘ fans. While not the same thrill as when you were younger, it still brings dreams and high hopes of what could happen.
As such, the release of the 2017 schedule on Thursday evening was eagerly anticipated by Seahawks’ fans. We now take a look at some of the key games and provide some early observations of what lies ahead for Pete Carroll and his team:
1) Tough Start to the Season
The Seattle Seahawks couldn’t ask for a much harder start to the campaign, as they travel to Green Bay in Week 1 to face the Packers. They have lost their previous seven visits to Lambeau Field, including last season’s 38-10 thumping.
The Seahawks have had some success, as evidenced by a 2-11 overall record in Wisconsin, although you have to go back to 1999 for the last of those two wins. Extra intrigue comes from the fact Eddie Lacy returns to face the team which originally drafted him.
2) Home Opener
In contrast to the season opener — theoretically at least — the Seahawks get to start their home campaign against an easy opponent. That’s because they will host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
The 49ers have lost their last six visits to CenturyLink Field, by an average score of 29.5-11.8. Further, the Seahawks have won their last seven games against the hapless 49ers, regardless of where they have played.
3) We Meet Again
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Revenge will be on the Seahawks’ minds, when they play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. The 36-20 beat down they suffered in last season’s playoffs, will still be fresh in the mind.
At least Carroll’s men get to play the rematch at home, where they beat the Falcons 26-24 during the regular season last year. As an added bonus the clash will take place in prime time, on Monday Night Football.
4) Prime Time
On the subject of prime time, the Seahawks will face four games under the glare of a national audience in 2017. This includes a Week 10 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who are currently their biggest rivals in the NFC West.
The Hawks will also host Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles, who they beat 26-15 last season. However, the best of the prime time slate arguably comes in Week 4, when the Indianapolis Colts come to Seattle for a matchup between Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck, who were both drafted in 2012.
5) General Schedule Observations
The Seahawks face a demanding start to the 2017 campaign overall, with four of their first six games on the road. At least this challenge is broken up with a bye in Week 6, to help them get some early recuperation time.
The schedule then becomes more favorable, with four of six in the friendly confines of “The Link”. As a final note, there will only be one “dreaded” early kickoff this season and that comes in sunny Florida, against the dire Jacksonville Jaguars.
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What are your takeaways from the official release of the Seahawks’ schedule for the 2017 season? Which specific games are you looking forward to and why? Let us know in the comments section.