Jim Moore predicts: Seahawks’ trenches, secondary face tough task in Atlanta

For the past five or six years, I’ve written a weekly post in which I try to predict the outcome of a Seahawks’ game. Or maybe I should say it’s a weekly post in which I “fail” to predict the outcome of a Seahawks’ game.

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One thing has remained consistent – If I pick the Seahawks to win, I hear that it’s a kiss of death because I’m wrong so often. If I pick the Seahawks to lose, I hear that I’m a hater who doesn’t like Pete Carroll’s team or that I’m going out of my way to be a non-homer.

So this year I’ll get it out of the way right off the bat – I’m going to pick them to win 11 times and lose five times since I’ve already predicted that they’d go 11-5, just like last year.

This Sunday’s game against Atlanta is one of those 11 times, though I think the outcome will be in doubt to the very end. And you might be thinking “no bleep Sherlock” because the Seahawks typically win or lose most of their games by single digits, which enrages the “Let Russ Cook” crowd.

Speaking of things that are written that go without saying, Bill Barnwell of ESPN, after the Chiefs demolished the Texans, tweeted: “All offseason I said it: The Chiefs’ offense is going to be good.”

Hopefully he was being sarcastic and looking for a chuckle since everyone who follows the NFL knew the Chiefs’ offense would be good this year, maybe even the best in the league again. But if he wasn’t being sarcastic, maybe I should take a page out of his book since his career appears to have taken off more than mine ever has considering his 189,000 followers on Twitter.

So here goes: All offseason I said it, and for that matter for the entire time he’s been in Seattle I’ve said it: Russell Wilson is a really good quarterback, and he’ll be really good again this year, even if he’s not allowed to cook.

And when we discuss what happened after the Falcons’ game, we’ll be talking about Wilson’s positive impact on the game. I just wanted to get that out there before Barnwell subconsciously plagiarizes my deep and insightful thoughts on the Seahawks’ quarterback.

Last I looked, the Seahawks are favored by 2.5 points, which means it might come down to a Jason Myers field goal at the end.

You know the reasons why the Falcons have a chance. Start with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, then throw in Todd Gurley, who might have an arthritic knee, but he’s still rushed for nearly 700 career yards and 11 touchdowns against the Seahawks.

And you have to wonder: if backup QB Matt Schaub could throw for 460 yards against the Seahawks like he did last year, what kind of an afternoon will Ryan have this year?

Then again, the Seahawks should be dramatically improved on defense with the acquisition of Jamal Adams. Hopefully his presence will lead to more sacks and better run defense, two huge issues in 2019.

If the Falcons end up winning, I think we’ll be chalking it up to advantages on the line of scrimmage. The Seahawks’ two weakest position groups are the offensive and defensive lines until they prove otherwise. I’m more concerned about the O-line with three new starters and a banged-up Duane Brown at left tackle.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett figures to be a handful for new starting center Ethan Pocic and rookie right guard Damien Lewis.

I suspect we’ll see a high-scoring game, one in which Wilson is improvising and running for his life and turning Mercedes-Benz Stadium into his personal playground, connecting with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on a handful of explosive plays.

Also look for Carlos Hyde to get more carries than you think he will as the backup to Chris Carson, and new tight end Greg Olsen should have a big day too.

Prediction: Seahawks 27, Falcons 24

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