Season Recap - 2010 Seattle Seahawks

Final Record: 7-9 (1-1)

Finished: 1^st Place in the NFC West; Lost in the Divisional Round

2011 Draft Position: 25^th

Preseason Ranking:   15
Preseason Letter of Misfortune:

If you had to sum up the offseason for Seattle in one word, that word would be "change". Almost everything about the Seahawks has changed in some form or another since they finished the 2009 campaign a below-average 5-11 team. Coach Carroll, abandoning the sinking ship of USC before all the allegations hit the fan, represents the biggest change in Seattle. Looking to improve his second time around the NFL, he brings rejuvenated vigor to the coaching staff and hope for the fans.

Since arriving in January, Coach Carroll has implemented well over 100 personnel moves designed to shake-up a roster unable to get above the .500 mark since 2007. New players have arrived through trades, the draft, waiver claims, free agent signings and re-signings. Aside from the player movement, a new offensive coordinator has been added and a more aggressive approach is being installed for the defense. Despite all the changes, the core players for Seattle will remain the same on both sides of the ball.

Seattle looked solid, if not spectacular, as they adjusted to their new coach, his philosophy and each other during their opening preseason victory over Tennessee. They still have three preseason games to get the kinks worked out before San Francisco comes to town to open the regular season. With the NFC West wide open for the taking, a victory against the 49ers will vault Seattle into contender status and make the race in the West a three-team battle. Winnable games against Denver and St. Louis early should have this team heading into their bye week at least 2-2, if not 3-1, if they can surprise either San Francisco or San Diego when they journey to Qwest Field.

A fast start will do wonders for a team that has changed so much during the offseason. If they stumble, doubt will set in faster than Seattle cut Lendale White, and without belief in Carroll’s system, this team has no shot to pull itself out of the doldrums of the past few seasons. They will still be better than St. Louis, but being better than the Rams isn’t saying much.

Week 1: Defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-6

Ranked – 18

One of the few winning teams to fall a bit in the rankings this week. Sure you won big, but San Francisco may not be the team everybody thought they were. For now, stay here and tread water. Seahawks like that kind of thing.

Week 2: Lost at Denver Broncos, 31-14

Ranked – 20

The Seahawks can fly! They can't fly. The Seahawks can fly! They can't fly. Make up your mind, will ya.

Week 3: Defeated the San Diego Chargers, 27-20

Ranked – 16

One thing appears certain - the Seahawks like playing at home.

Week 4: Lost at St. Louis Rams, 20-3

Ranked – 23

A trade for Buffalo's backup running back makes me ask one question - why have I been trying to start Forsett on my fantasy league all this time?

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 19

Idle and improving.

Week 6: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 23-20

Ranked – 16

It's always nice to come out of the bye week with a road win against a team with a better record.

Week 7: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 22-10

Ranked – 11

The division is there for the taking.

Week 8: Lost at Oakland Raiders, 33-3

Ranked – 19

Nothing screams "UNCLE" like kicking a field goal with 9 minutes to go in a game you are trailing by 23 points. At least the Seahawks had the decency to onside kick afterwards.

Week 9: Lost to New York Giants, 41-7

Ranked – 27

No team should ever lose at home 41-7. Those kinds of losses make it clear how far this team still needs to go before they can be successful.

Week 10: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 36-18

Ranked – 18

I just don't understand what is going on in Seattle these days. Win a few or lose a few, but knock this "up-one-week-down-the-next" garbage off. It's quite annoying.

Week 11: Lost at New Orleans Saints, 34-19

Ranked – 20

They're the best in the West, which frankly, isn't saying very much.

Week 12: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 42-24

Ranked – 25

"Hey, Coach Carroll. Watch this. I can play after all. Sincerely, Matt Cassel"

Week 13: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 31-14

Ranked – 19 (ROCKY WEEK!)

[Pete Carroll goes through some self-motivation techniques as he prepares to face the 49ers in San Francisco]

            Coach Carroll:  Stay away from USC! Make faces on the sideline! Move around the state, but don't go too far south!

Week 14: Lost at San Francisco 49ers, 40-21

Ranked – 19

That's how you maintain your share of the division lead? By getting blown out 40-21 by a team four games below .500?

Week 15: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 34-18

Ranked – 20

The Seahawks have no business even being within earshot of a playoff spot, but they still somehow control their own destiny despite having only six wins.

Week 16: Lost at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 38-15

Ranked – 27

How painfully sad is it that Seattle, starting their back-up quarterback and having lost nine games already this season, will be playing in primetime on Sunday night for the right to host a playoff game?

Week 17: Defeated the St. Louis Rams, 16-6

Ranked – 12

As the first ever playoff team with a losing record, the only way Seattle can justify their existence in the post-season is with a win.

Wild Card Game: Defeated the New Orleans Saints, 41-36

Ranked – 8

The Seahawks shocked the world last week when they upset the defending champions, but I have a hard time believing they can do they same to a well-rested Bears team, on the road, in a cold-weather game.

Divisional Game: Lost at Chicago Bears, 35-24

Final Rank - 8

Tomorrow, the 2010 Baltimore Ravens…