Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
30 of 33
Next
Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Seattle Seahawks

2016 Record: 10-5-1, First Place in the NFC West

The once-mighty Seahawks may not seem so mighty anymore, but they’re still a perennial playoff contender and have no real threat within the now-weak NFC West.

Seattle dangled the idea of trading cornerback Richard Sherman during the offseason, but he’s staying put. And safety Earl Thomas comes back from a season-ending injury a year ago. That’s good news. We also shouldn’t bank on the Seahawks’ front seven suffering any sort of setbacks this year either.

The Seahawks defense remains a staple of their success. Yet quarterback Russell Wilson continues to receive deserved praise.

Wilson has done plenty with relatively few well-known receiving pieces outside of tight end Jimmy Graham. And Graham isn’t even Wilson’s favorite target. That honor goes to wide receiver Doug Baldwin.

Adding defensive tackle Malik McDowell early in Round 2 of the NFL Draft was a good move, although he might have slipped a bit further. And center Ethan Pocic in Round 3 might help alleviate Seattle’s biggest worry — it’s offensive line.

Strengths

While perhaps not quite as intimidating as it used to be, the Seahawks defense is still a force and should be so again this season.

So much of what Seattle does on the field is predicated by its defense, so this group will remain at the heart of the Seahawks’ 2017 efforts.

And Wilson? Well, he’s earned the right to be considered one of the league’s elite.

Weaknesses

The Seahawks haven’t quite figured out how to get their running game back on track after running back Marshawn Lynch’s temporary retirement. Adding former Packers tailback Eddie Lacy via free agency might help, but he comes with worries of his own.

But the biggest concern of all will be the O-line. Outside of center Justin Britt, this entire group was a major liability for Seattle over the course of 2016.

Adding Pocic won’t be nearly enough.

X-Factors

With a weak division, Seattle shouldn’t have any trouble finding its way back to the NFC West crown this year.

Wilson’s health and the ability to keep him protected will be top priority for offensive line coach Tom Cable. So far, it hasn’t gone exceptionally well.

We’ll also have to see how solid the rushing attack is behind Lacy. If it works, the Seahawks offense could return to a 2015 form. That’s a good thing.

If not, well, at least the defense remains stout.