ESPN’s Mike Sando: ‘Wide open’ NFC setting up Seahawks to make a run
Oct 24, 2017, 2:34 PM
The Seahawks play three of their next four games at home. (AP)
(AP)
We’re officially rounding the curve to the second half of the NFL season starting with Thursday night’s game between the Dolphins and Ravens to kick off Week 8. The shift brings good news for the Seahawks, who are favored in all of their remaining games, with the exception of a Christmas Eve matchup against the Cowboys.
ESPN’s Mike Sando joined John Clayton on 710 ESPN Seattle to discuss the second half strength of schedule for all teams, and he explained why the Seahawks could make a legitimate run at a top seed in the NFC.
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“I think them being able to get these last three wins, especially road wins over the Rams and Giants – I don’t care how you get them,” Sando said, “that’s just huge.”
The Seahawks currently sit at 4-2 and in second place in the NFC West. After starting the season with four of their first six games on the road, they’ll play three of their next four at home.
And while it’s always disheartening to see players get injured, according to Sando, it’s also what will likely play into Seattle’s favor.
This Sunday, the Seahawks return to CenturyLink Field to face a Texans squad that is short two of its top three defensive playmakers. Then after playing Washington at home, the Seahawks will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals, who have likely lost quarterback Carson Palmer for the season to a broken arm. Also struggling are the Packers, who are without Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) and unlikely to challenge Seattle for a top seed.
“Most of the teams that are the biggest threat to them, which I would say is Atlanta, Philadelphia and maybe the Rams, those games are in Seattle. I think that’s a huge help for them,” Sando said.
He also expects five NFC West wins for the Seahawks – should their squad remain healthy.
Also trending upward are the New Orleans Saints, who are 4-2 after starting with the toughest schedule in the league.
Sando still projects the 7-1 Philadelphia Eagles to snag the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Seahawks are projected to get 10 wins – up from a nine-win projection just weeks ago – and the No. 2 seed.
“All those things in the NFC setting up well for Seattle,” Sando said. “It’s wide open. It’s wide open for a team in the NFC to be hot late and go a long way.”
Listen to Clayton’s entire interview with Mike Sando here.
