Seahawks schedule, 2021 NFL odds: Russell Wilson's potential final season with Seattle begins as Week 1 underdog at Colts

Aaron Rodgers and his unhappiness has stolen all of the NFL headlines in recent weeks and frankly made most people forget that it was another superstar, Russell Wilson of the Seahawks, who was the first big-name QB rumored to perhaps force his way off an annual contender. Wilson is clearly going to be the Seattle quarterback this season, but if it ends in another disappointment and Wilson takes a beating, he could easily be somewhere else in 2022. William Hill Sportsbook gives Seattle an Over/Under win total of 10.0, while the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts 9.5 victories.

The Seahawks kick things off Sept. 12 at Indianapolis as 2.5-point underdogs. It's one of those dreaded 10 a.m. Pacific time kickoffs, but dating to 2013, Wilson's second season, the Seahawks are 19-7 straight up in games that begin in that window.

Seattle looked like a legitimate Super Bowl contender last season as it finished 12-4, won the very deep NFC West and entered the postseason on a four-game winning streak. Alas, everything came crashing down in a 30-20 home wild-card upset loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Wilson was frankly terrible in that game, completing just 11 of 27 for 174 yards with two TDs and a pick, but he was also sacked five times.

Being sacked is nothing new to Wilson, who still somehow has never received a single NFL MVP vote. In nine seasons, Wilson has been sacked 394 times, an average of 43.8 sacks per season -- more than any other QB since the 1970 merger. He's on track to become the most-sacked QB in league history in three seasons. That unwanted mark is currently held by Brett Favre at 525.

Wilson still hasn't finished with a losing record in an NFL season, but the Seahawks haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 2014 season or even to a conference title game since. To try and protect Wilson better and make him a bit happier, Seattle acquired Pro Bowl guard Gabe Jackson this offseason in a trade with the Raiders for just a fifth-round pick. He should slide in for Mike Iupati, Seattle's starting left guard the past two seasons who retired.

Other than that, Seattle didn't make any massive moves in free agency – largely re-signing its own players like running back Chris Carson, center Ethan Pocic, guard Jordan Simmons, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Benson Mayowa. The team had little draft capital because of the Jamal Adams trade and took Western Michigan receiver/returner D'Wayne Eskridge with its first pick in Round 2. Eskridge averaged 213 all-purpose yards per game in 2020, second in the FBS.

The Seahawks' 2021 schedule is ranked as the 11th-toughest in the league as their 17 opponents – visiting the Steelers is the 17th game -- were a combined 139-133-0 last season.

Seattle Seahawks trends/William Hill Sportsbook odds

• 2020 record: 12-4 (8-8 against the spread, 7-9 Over/Under)
• 2021 strength of schedule rank: 11th (opponents' combined winning percentage of .511)
• 2021 Over/Under win total: 10.0
• SportsLine Projection Model forecasted wins: 9.5
• Odds to win Super Bowl 56: +2500
• To win NFC: +1200
• To win NFC West: +280
• To make playoffs: Yes -120, no +100
• NFL MVP odds: Russell Wilson +1800

Seattle Seahawks Home Opponents

Week 1 at Indianapolis Colts: Indy was routed 46-18 in Seattle in most recent 2017 meeting

Week 2 vs. Tennessee Titans: Tennessee has covered spread in past two meetings, last in 2017

Week 3 at Minnesota Vikings: Including playoffs, Seattle won seventh straight in series last year, 27-26 at home

Week 4 at San Francisco 49ers: Seattle improved to 6-1 SU (4-3 ATS) in past seven at Niners with 26-23 win last year

Week 5 vs. Los Angeles Rams (TNF): L.A. lost in Seattle last regular season then pulled off playoff upset as 3-point dog

Week 6 at Pittsburgh Steelers (SNF): Added 17th opponent; Seattle has won and covered past two in series

Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints (MNF): Seattle is 0-2 SU & ATS in past two meetings, last a 33-27 home loss in 2019

Week 8 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jags are 3-5 SU & ATS in series but won last meeting at home in 2017

Week 9 BYE

Week 10 at Green Bay Packers: Including playoffs, Seahawks have failed to cover in past six meetings overall

Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals: Arizona's five-game ATS road win streak in series ended last year in 28-21 loss

Week 12 at Washington Football Team (MNF): Seattle was -6 at Washington last year and won failed to cover in 20-15 win

Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (SNF): Including playoffs, the Hawks are 9-1 SU & 8-2 ATS in past 10 home meetings

Week 14 at Houston Texans: Houston's lone win in four all-time meetings was at home in 2009

Week 15 at Los Angeles Rams: Hawks have just one road win over Rams since they moved to L.A., in 2016

Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears: Chicago ended three-game skid in series with 24-17 home win in most recent 2018 game

Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions: Detroit has dropped past three in series but they haven't played since 2018

Week 18 at Arizona Cardinals: Seattle's three-game win streak in desert ended in wild 37-34 loss last year

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