Seahawks Schedule: Predictions for Every Game
By Ben Renner
Week 11 — vs Atlanta Falcons, Monday Nov. 20th 5:30PT, ESPN
What’s better than a marquee matchup on primetime at the CLink, facing the NFC Champion Falcons? Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn returns to Seattle yet again to take on the rabid fans, the wind, the rain, and the same LOB he helped build.
The Falcons were unstoppable at times on offense last year, nearly overcoming the Seattle defense at CenturyLink. By the time these two teams faced each other in the NFC Divisional Round in Atlanta, they were radically changed. Atlanta was on its way to the Super Bowl, rising at the right time, while the Seahawks were struggling on defense without Earl Thomas.
Hopefully Thomas will be at full strength for this showdown against Julio Jones and Matt Ryan. Ryan had a career year last season, and no one appeared to adjust properly to the Atlanta offense all season. Even the Patriots looked like they were going to be burned in the Super Bowl by this team. I expect a shootout in front of a national audience in Week 11, with the Seahawks, bolstered by their close game success to this point, coming out just ahead — much like last season.
Final Score: Seahawks 41, Falcons 35 (7-3, Div: 1-2)
Week 12 — at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Nov. 26th 1:05PT, FOX
By this time in the season, San Francisco could be on it’s third starting quarterback as they try to find out who fits in their rebuilding plans and who doesn’t. If new GM John Lynch is smart, they’ll make sure to fold in this game and try to move up on the draft board. I know it’s much less common for NFL teams to tank than NBA teams, but I expect San Francisco’s leadership to do what they can in the last half of the season to get as high of a draft pick as they can.