The Seattle Seahawks are ranked No. 12 in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index. Here's everything you need to know about the Seahawks heading into the 2019 NFL season:
The big question: Can the Seahawks overtake the Rams in the NFC West?
That seems a lot more likely than it did even a week ago, when Ezekiel Ansah wasn't even practicing and Jadeveon Clowney was still in Houston. Clowney's addition changes the outlook in a big way as does Ansah being on track to play in Week 1. Seattle has a pair of premier edge rushers as part of what now might be the NFL's best front seven -- at least once Jarran Reed returns from his suspension in Week 7. The Seahawks might now have the defensive firepower to hang with Sean McVay's offense and reclaim the division Los Angeles has won the past two years. -- Brady Henderson
Offseason in a nutshell
It began with a league-low four draft picks and massive bills coming due on Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Frank Clark. Wilson and Wagner got their megadeals, and instead of paying Clark almost $21 million per season, the Seahawks added Ansah and Clowney on one-year deals that will pay them about the same combined. Trading Clark to the Chiefs helped general manager John Schneider turn four picks into 11 selections, which was masterful work along with fleecing Houston in the Clowney trade. Moving on from Doug Baldwin leaves Wilson without his most trusted receiver -- and perhaps his toughest critic. Seattle's locker room appears to be aligned behind Wilson more than ever, but Baldwin's production and toughness will be missed. -- Henderson
Inside the Seahawks' schedule
Most important game: Week 14 at the Rams. A run of four consecutive prime-time games culminates with a matchup that could factor heavily in determining the NFC West champion, a title the Rams have claimed the past two seasons. The Rams appear to have the most talent in the division even though Seattle has the best quarterback, so it's hard to imagine the Seahawks overtaking them without at least a split of the season series, if not a sweep.
Toughest stretch: The first six games. That's how long Seattle will be without Reed. The Seahawks will play four games against playoff-caliber teams during that stretch, including their first meeting with the Rams (the Steelers, Saints and Browns are the others). Ansah's status for Week 1 is also a factor, as is that of fellow defensive end L.J. Collier, Seattle's first-round pick.
Over or under 8.4 wins? Over. The Seahawks should always be in playoff contention as long as they have Wilson and at least a baseline level of talent around him. Ten or 11 wins is attainable as long as they can stay afloat through the challenging early stretch. -- Henderson
Schedule ranking: No. 8
Here's another NFC West team, as the AFC North and NFC South make for tough opposing divisions; in fact, all four NFC West teams rank in the top 10 of these schedule rankings. The Seahawks at least get the AFC North opponents off their schedule early, with all four games scheduled between Week 1 and Week 7. Seattle also has a stretch of four straight prime-time games from Week 10 to Week 14, two Monday nighters and two Sunday nighters. -- Football Outsiders | See the full 1-32 ranking
Breakout fantasy star: WR DK Metcalf
Considered by many to be the top wide receiver prospect in the 2019 rookie class, Metcalf surprisingly fell to Seattle at the end of the second round of April's draft. Despite the plummet, Metcalf is well positioned for a big rookie-season role on a Seattle roster shaky at wide receiver behind Lockett. Metcalf is an elite specimen, measuring at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds with terrific speed (4.33 40 yard dash) and strength (27 bench reps). Metcalf has the upside to become one of the league's top vertical receivers, and the presence of deep-ball specialist Wilson only helps his chances at a productive rookie campaign. -- Mike Clay | More fantasy coverage
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 30-1 (opened 35-1)
Over/under: 8.5 (O -130/U +110)
Playoff odds: Yes +145, No -165
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Sept. 2.
Most interesting player prop
Over/under 3,549.5 passing yards for Russell Wilson:
Henderson: Under. It's a tough call here because it isn't hard to imagine the Seahawks ending up in a few shootouts, but they should have a strong enough run game to not have to rely on Wilson to carry the offensive load every week.
Bold prediction: Bobby Wagner will be Defensive POY
Wagner has been in the conversation the past few seasons but has lost to pass-rushers J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald. Sacks tend to go a long way in DPOY voting, and Wagner hasn't had as many opportunities for those as an inside linebacker in a defense that doesn't blitz much. Five and a half sacks and another season with more than 130 tackles will put him in position to become the only inside linebacker other than Luke Kuechly to win the award over the past decade. -- Henderson
Where the Seahawks landed in NFLRank
No. 9: QB Russell Wilson
No. 20: LB Bobby Wagner
No. 42 DE Jadeveon Clowney
No. 93: WR Tyler Lockett
Speed reads before the opener
Henderson: Seahawks steal Jadeveon Clowney even if he's a one-year rental
Henderson: Seahawks' secret weapon: Keenan Reynolds and his 'cryptic' job in the Navy
Yates: NFL playoff team tiers: Rating all 12 based on their chances to return
Henderson: Inside Bobby Wagner's one missed tackle from 2018
Henderson: Seahawks eager to use RBs Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny more in passing game
Henderson: Seahawks may lean on linebackers Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright for sacks