We’re two days away from the discharge of the 2023 Seattle Seahawks common season schedule, and in contrast to final season I feel Seattle will likely be getting extra than simply two primetime video games. With the widespread perception they might be a foul group, the Seahawks’ solely night kickoffs have been opening night time in opposition to the Denver Broncos, after which a ‘Thursday Evening Soccer’ showdown with the San Francisco 49ers that birthed this traditional from Kirk Herbstreit.
Seattle made the playoffs, ought to be poised to take action once more in a seemingly weakened NFC, which hopefully means loads of nationwide TV appearances beneath the intense lights. I’m going to check out the opponents listing and see which video games have the perfect and worst likelihood of getting chosen for primetime. For simplicity’s sake, primetime consists of ‘Thursday Evening Soccer’ on Amazon Prime, ‘Sunday Evening Soccer’ on NBC, and ‘Monday Evening Soccer’ on ESPN/ABC.
Consider groups are allowed a most of six primetime video games, with a seventh allowed for Week 18.
Finest likelihood
at/vs. San Francisco 49ers
Most of the time, no less than one Seahawks-49ers sport will get primetime therapy when the schedule is launched. These are the 2 favorites to win the NFC West and though San Francisco confirmed clear superiority within the three video games final season, even John Lynch acknowledged the Seahawks are scorching on their tail. That is nonetheless a heated rivalry that will very nicely decide who wins the division title. I can see one in every of these two matchups positioned on ‘Sunday Evening Soccer’ for positive.
at Dallas Cowboys
Even when it’s not primetime or perhaps a featured late doubleheader sport, don’t sleep on this as a 1:25 PM PT function doubleheader, and even the Thanksgiving kickoff. The Cowboys are endlessly going to be a nationwide tv draw, and so they’re clearly adequate to take the NFC East crown again from Philadelphia.
vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Defending NFC champion coming to city. The Eagles have by no means overwhelmed Pete Carroll since he grew to become Seahawks head coach. Sufficient stated.
Good likelihood
at Detroit Lions
Final yr this was one of many wildest shootouts of the season. We hit Scorigami because of the 48-45 Seahawks closing, and this was the start line for justifying Geno Smith’s contract extension.
However that is much less in regards to the Seahawks and extra about Detroit as the favourite to win the NFC North. They’re a genuinely entertaining group with a giant character head coach, and I count on them to have extra primetime video games than we often see. This will not fairly be ‘Sunday Evening Soccer’ materials but it surely has the makings of a ‘Monday Evening Soccer’ matchup.
at New York Giants
The unbelievable run by the Giants to the divisional spherical has put everybody on discover that perhaps, simply perhaps, the G-Males are again. Lots of that’s depending on whether or not Daniel Jones’ success is sustainable, Saquon Barkley can shine once more like he did final season, and if Darren Waller can recapture his outdated kind with the Raiders.
at Cincinnati Bengals
The highest two extensive receiver corps within the NFL, anybody? Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd on one aspect, with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the opposite aspect. Cincinnati was on the cusp of the Tremendous Bowl once more and ought to be within the hunt for the AFC title as soon as once more this yr beneath Joe Burrow.
Small to decently sized likelihood
at/vs. Los Angeles Rams
Very like the Cardinals, the Rams should not anticipated to be contenders this season. However with Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp all wholesome once more, don’t fully shut the door on the concept of them being moderately aggressive. They’re additionally in Los Angeles and the Rams aren’t getting shut out of primetime. Simple contender for a TNF slot. In any other case that is getting shoved to the underside crew on FOX or CBS.
at Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson continues to be a Raven, and now it’s time to truly win playoff video games once more if you happen to’re John Harbaugh. As ever, Baltimore will likely be within the postseason combine, and if you happen to’ve checked their schedule they play the AFC South and NFC West, and don’t face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Exterior of their very own division, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, and the LA Chargers are the perfect candidates for primetime opponents. I wouldn’t put the Seahawks in excessive precedence but it surely’s to not be discounted.
Nearly no likelihood
at/vs. Arizona Cardinals
It’s extremely seemingly that the Cardinals are shut out of primetime video games. Even when Kyler Murray comes again ahead of anticipated, Arizona shouldn’t be very well positioned to be contending for a playoff spot.
at Tennessee Titans
Having missed the playoffs final season, Tennessee overhauled its roster on either side of the ball and the group as a complete is simply not attention-grabbing. Derrick Henry continues to be Derrick Henry and perhaps there’s some enchantment to Will Levis being Ryan Tannehill’s eventual successor, however there’s no attention-grabbing angle to Seahawks at Titans.
vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had a really busy offseason in free company, drafted Bryce Younger No. 1 total, and with the turgid NFC South up for grabs there could also be a nationwide sport for Carolina to have, however the Seahawks seemingly aren’t atop that listing. I’d regulate them on the Miami Dolphins, for the Bryce vs. Tua angle.
vs. Cleveland Browns
Anticipate extra primetime video games for Cleveland now that Deshaun Watson’s suspension is over and the Browns push to get again into the playoffs. Different than simply filling up nationwide home windows I don’t see why this could get a primetime look when the Browns have already got a number of potential nationwide choices throughout the AFC North, in addition to the New York Jets.
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Amazingly, the Steelers preserve avoiding sub. 500 data beneath Mike Tomlin regardless of how pedestrian their offense seems. This was a ‘Sunday Evening Soccer’ conflict in 2021, with Geno Smith making his Seahawks beginning debut, however Pittsburgh was coming off a 12-4 season and so have been the Seahawks. I don’t actually see the inter-conference intrigue right here given Pittsburgh shouldn’t be a favourite for the AFC North. The Kenny Pickett bandwagon isn’t swelling that a lot.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders by some means virtually made the playoffs after which bottled it, which opened the door for the Seahawks to sneak in. Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett would be the beginning quarterback, and whereas there’s fairly a little bit of expertise on either side of the ball, Washington has loads of night time sport probabilities simply throughout the NFC East. Do you know the Commanders are the one group the Seahawks have by no means overwhelmed in an everyday season dwelling sport at Lumen Subject? They’ve gotten them twice within the playoffs however are 0-for-4 within the common season.
Predictions
Dwelling primetime video games: vs. 49ers (SNF), vs. Eagles (MNF)
Away primetime video games: at Rams (TNF), at Lions (MNF)
1:25 PM PT featured doubleheader kickoff: at Cowboys, at Giants
10 AM PT kickoffs: at Bengals, at Titans, at Ravens
Non-featured regional protection: at/vs. Cardinals, at 49ers, vs. Rams, vs. Browns, vs. Steelers, vs. Panthers, vs. Commanders
Pretty much as good because the Seahawks might be this season, the league might not need to essentially go head-first into giving Seattle all of the nationwide publicity. I feel 4 is greater than acceptable and so they’ll have alternatives to be flexed into SNF or MNF pending their very own document and the data of their opposition.
