The Seattle Seahawks better be prime-time ready because they have five night games in 2015 beginning with a Sunday night game against the Packers in Week 2. They also have the fourth toughest schedule in the league.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at St. Louis, 1 PM
This always is a tough place to play for the Seahawks. They lost in the Edward Jones Dome a year ago, but that game came two days after the Percy Harvin trade and the Seahawks still were reeling. That won’t be an issue in what likely will be the last time they play in St. Louis. Nick Foles’ debut game won’t be enough for the Rams. Seahawks 27, Rams 21. Record: 1-0.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Green Bay, 8:30 PM
This is a rematch of the NFC Championship Game last season when the Seahawks made a miraculous comeback in the last three minutes of regulation and went on to win it 28-22 in OT. And the Seahawks beat Green Bay 36-16 in the 2014 season opener at Seattle. Time for some payback at Lambeau Field. Packers 30, Seahawks 20. Record: 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 Chicago, 4:25 PM
It’s the first regular-season meeting of these teams since 2012, a 23-17 OT victory for the Seahawks at Chicago. A home opener in front of a frenzied CenturyLink crowd against a weaker opponent should be a clear W. Seahawks 34, Bears 10. Record: 2-1.
Week 4: Monday, Oct. 5, Detroit, 8:15 PM
This one will be hyped as wide receiver Golden Tate’s return to Seattle in a matchup between two 2014 playoff teams. It’s also the first time the Lions have played in Seattle since 2009 and the only Monday night game for Seattle. The Seahawks have been masters of prime-time games under Pete Carroll. Seahawks 30, Lions 27. Record: 3-1.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Cincinnati, 1 PM
Coming after what’s sure to be a rugged Monday night game, this is a tough one for the Seahawks with a 10 a.m. PT start. It’s the first time they have played in Cincinnati in 12 years. The short week and the early start will get them. Bengals 20, Seahawks 17 Record: 3-2.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Carolina, 4:05 PM
A rematch of the playoff game at Seattle last season when the Seahawks won 31-17 and Kam Chancellor had a 90-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. This one may not be that dramatic, but the result will be similar. Seahawks 21, Panthers 13. Record: 4-2.
Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 22, at San Francisco, 8:25 PM
The 49ers may be the worst team in the NFC West this season, but they are catching the Seahawks at the right time after a short week and playing at Santa Clara. This will be one of the few big moments of 2015 for them. 49ers 23, Seahawks 17. Record: 4-3.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Dallas, 4:25 PM
The Seahawks have lost three consecutive times on the road against the Cowboys. Not this time. With 10 days to prepare, Seattle will hand Jerry’s boys a surprising home loss, returning the favor from last season when the Cowboys won in Seattle. Seahawks 31, Cowboys 28. Record: 5-3.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, Arizona, 8:30 PM
An important game against the team likely to challenge the Seahawks for the NFC West crown, but coming off the bye week and having two weeks to prepare for the Cardinals in prime time will work in Seattle’s favor. Seahawks 27, Cardinals 20. Record: 6-3.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, San Francisco, 4:25 PM
The Seahawks will be more than ready to make up for the loss in Cali one month earlier, easily defeating a 49ers team that isn’t the challenging rival it used to be. Seahawks 35, 49ers 10. Record: 7-3.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Pittsburgh, 4:25 PM
It will be the third consecutive home game for the Seahawks, but they get caught taking it for granted against a tough Steelers team that isn’t intimidated by cold and rainy weather and pulls off the upset for Seattle’s only home loss of the season. Steelers 19, Seahawks 14. Record: 7-4.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Minnesota, 1 PM
It’s the first road game for the Seahawks in more than a month and a dreaded 10 a.m. PT start. So what? The Vikings just don’t have the manpower to get it done against a tough team coming off a surprising loss. Seahawks 34, Vikings 16. Record: 8-4.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Baltimore, 8:30 PM
A prime-time game usually is a good thing for the Seahawks, but not coming as the second of back-to-back road games against a physical opponent in a place where Seattle has never won. Ravens 27, Seahawks 23. Record: 8-5.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, Cleveland, 4:05 PM
This could be the easiest game of the season for the Seahawks, returning home in a game that’s a must-win to keep their division title hopes alive. The Browns will be black and blue when it’s over. Seahawks 41, Browns 14. Record: 9-5.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, St. Louis, 4:25 PM
The Rams actually could enter this game with something on the line. By this time, Foles will have shown that St. Louis made the right decision is trading for him, but he won’t be enough with the Seahawks streaking down the home stretch. Seahawks 23, Rams 20. Record: 10-5.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Arizona, 4:25 PM
This should be a classic, two playoff-bound teams battling it out with the NFC West title on the line. Maybe this is the game where tight end Jimmy Graham shows why he was worth what the Seahawks gave up to get him, making the big TD catch with the game on the line at the end. Seahawks 28, Cardinals 27. Record: 11-5.