Russell Wilson begins his tenth season in the NFL after the Seattle Seahawks took him in the third round of the 2012 draft out of the University of Wisconsin. He was the NFL’s Rookie of the Year that season; ever since he took the starting job in 2012, he has started every game for the Seahawks, a streak of 144 games that leads the league. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title after the 2013 campaign and was on the verge of a second straight championship the next year, but he threw a key interception at the goal line against New England. He has been to eight Pro Bowls in nine NFL seasons. So the Seahawks have uncommon stability and quality at quarterback; is it enough to carry the Seahawks to an NFC West title and a deep postseason run?
As you ponder your online betting on NFL futures this season, let’s take a closer look at the Seattle offense and how it affects the NFL odds of the season.
NFL News: Seattle Seahawks Offense In-Depth Analysis
In the 2021 draft, the Seahawks only had three picks, and their first was all the way down at #56, in the second round. With that pick, they grabbed wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge out of Western Michigan. He played six games in 2020, averaging 23.3 yards per catch and 128 yards per game. Eskridge was an odd pick because Seattle already had a quality group at wide receiver — and could have used other players that were still on the board. With their last pick, the Seahawks added offensive tackle Stone Forsythe out of Florida. He’s seen as a developmental pick as he has a high upside but needs to hone his technique before he lines up in the pros. He will back up Duane Brown, who will be an excellent mentor.
One problem that emerged in the offseason was Russell Wilson going public with his dissatisfaction with his protection. In his nine seasons, he has been sacked 394 times — almost 44 times per season, or almost three times per game. The fact that Wilson went public with this could affect locker room chemistry. The front office went after Gabe Jackson, a guard who will be an upgrade for the O-line, but other than that, the team addressed more defensive needs than offensive ones.
Wilson started 2020 putting up MVP-level numbers, but over the course of the season, his protection became less reliable, but critics also noticed that he was holding onto the ball longer than he should, trying to force plays when he should have just thrown the ball out of bounds. He did put up some terrific numbers, setting career bests for attempted passes (558), pass completions (384), touchdown passes (40) and pass completion rate (68.8%). However, he also set a career high in picks with 13. He already had Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf running routes, and with Chris Carson carrying the ball, the Seahawks’ offense had balance. Lockett caught 100 balls for 1,054 yards and 10 scores, and Metcalf had 83 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns, so the passing game is set. This year, Shane Waldron comes on as the team’s new offensive coordinator, so as Wilson moves into this new scheme, the hope is that this is all the change the offense will need.
Jackson’s arrival brings an offensive lineman who did not allow any sacks in 2020 while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders, and he is slotted to start at left guard next to Duane Brown, coming into his 14th season in the league without any major signs of wear and tear. At right guard, the Seahawks will start Damien Lewis, and Ethan Pocic will start at center. Brandon Shell, perhaps the weakest link of the bunch, returns at right tackle after a season in which his run tackling was below average. If this line can hold up for Wilson, the Seahawks have a terrific change at taking an NFC West in transition.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football games? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
