NFL power rankings: Patriots, Packers among Super Bowl favorites
Seattle Seahawks 0-0
Last week: W, 17-13 at OAK
Last rank: 5th
After reaching the Super Bowl in two consecutive seasons, the Seattle Seahawks have taken a step back. Over the last two years, the Seahawks have fizzled out in the Divisional round, leaving questions about whether the best days of this team are behind it.
Frankly, don’t buy into that narrative. The Seahawks still have issues on the offensive line, especially after losing left tackle George Fant to a torn ACL. Still, Seattle has weapons all over the field and perhaps the most complete defense in the NFL. Russell Wilson enters his sixth season as one of the more underrated players in the league. Wilson, the best dual-threat at the position, has a pair of top-end weapons in Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham. Also, keep an eye on rookie running back Chris Carson, who could take the starting job sooner rather than later.
Defensively, the Legion of Boom remains a considerable force. The Seahawks have the best secondary in football with Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. In the front seven, there is talent across the board with Michael Bennett, Frank Clark, K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner and others.
Seattle should cruise to the NFC West title and be a viable threat to reach its third Super Bowl in five seasons.