Predicting improvement from Wilson, upset for Hawks

By Jim Moore

Last week I predicted the Seahawks would lose to the Cardinals 20-13, and they ended up losing 20-16.

As you know, if Russell Wilson had completed one of those many passes in the red zone, the Seahawks could have won 23-20.

Last Sunday’s game is a reminder of how dumb it is to bet on NFL games – if Wilson completed one of those passes in the end zone, the Seahawks would have won and covered the 2 1/2-point spread, and over bettors would have won too because the over-under was 40 1/2.

As it was, Arizona and under bettors won. It was that close to going either way.

Tony Romo and the Cowboys’ offense had little trouble with Seattle last season, but they could be due for a letdown after beating the Super Bowl champions in Week 1. (AP)

So it would be idiotic to gloat about a correct prediction when it could have easily turned out differently.

The thing that’s crazy is that I was perceived as a Seahawks hater simply because I picked against them. I just didn’t like their chances with a rookie quarterback making his first start on the road against an above-average defense. Yet Wilson did better than I thought he would, much better.

Now the Seahawks come back to CenturyLink Field for the home opener against the Cowboys on Sunday. They’re 3-point underdogs and I guess I understand why.

Dallas is coming off a big win over the Giants in the NFL’s season-opening game. The Cowboys were impressive and offer weapons galore with Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware and Morris Claiborne among others.

My biggest concern revolves around the pass-rushing Ware, who could have his way with second-string left tackle Frank Omiyale if Russell Okung doesn’t play.

Other than that, I feel like Wilson will play better this week at home than he did on the road. Why? Do I have some sort of football sabermetrics I can reference as rationale? Heck no, I don’t have any of that stuff. I’ve got a gut feeling that he’ll play better at home in his second start.

Defensively, the Seahawks will be super-charged by the 12th Man, offsetting the many advantages Dallas has on offense. Frankly, Romo scares the hell out of me – he’s one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL as far as I’m concerned, but he’ll be inconsistent at the deafening Clink.

I’m also basing my pick on the fact that Dallas is bound to be in a letdown situation here. There’s no way they can be as up for the Seahawks as they were for the Giants.

If I were in Vegas this weekend – and dammit, I should be; the Cougs are there – I’d bet with both hands on the Seahawks as home dogs.

My prediction: Seahawks 24, Cowboys 17