The Seattle Seahawks are very much poised to secure an NFC West crown in 2013. Most NFL analysts, including us here at eDraft, would agree that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Let’s first take a look back at the Seahawks 2012 campaign before delving into a full preview of their upcoming season.

Quick 2012 Review

Seattle sputtered a bit out of the gate last year and finished the first half at a mediocre 4-4. It also suffered defeat in each of its first three matchups with NFC West foes. No loss came by more than a touchdown, but this opening divisional record certainly didn’t bode well among the coaching staff and fans in the Pacific Northwest.

The Seahawks then went on an absolute tear for the remainder of the season. They went 7-1 the rest of the way, including a 5-0 regular-season finish and boasting an 8-0 record at home. This team was predicated on a stout defense—notably against the pass—a powerful rushing attack and rookie phenom quarterback Russell Wilson that had winning intangibles coming out of his pores.

Wilson and Co nearly advanced to the NFC Championship game with the division rival San Francisco 49ers. Many would have considered them the favorites. Unfortunately, a late game-winning drive by Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons stifled those hopes.

One way or another, the Seahawks of 2012 were a monumental success and will bank off that momentum in 2013.

Schedule Analysis

The Seahawks open their 2013 campaign on the road against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. This is a tough start considering the Seahawks’ 3-5 record away from home last year and that Bank of America Stadium is just about the farthest NFL location from the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field.

Things quickly turn around in their favor, though, as they return home for a heated battle with the 49ers followed by a surefire win against the dismal Jacksonville Jaguars. The schedule turns ugly yet again with five of the next seven games on the road. Facing the Texans, Colts and Falcons in enemy territory will be no easy task.

Overall, the Seahawks must overcome the 11th most difficult strength of schedule in the NFL. Opponents have a winning record of .516. Luckily, the 49ers, Rams and Cardinals all face tougher schedules in 2013.

Offensive Outlook

Similar to last season, the Seahawks offense still runs through their ground attack led by Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin and the scrambling abilities of  Russell Wilson.

Lynch will continue to bulldoze his way through opposing defenses with the help of one of the league’s strongest run-blocking centers in Max Unger. Look for a slight reduction in his 315 carries from last season, with more going to Turbin and rookie Christine Michael.

Wilson, meanwhile, will also take pressure off Lynch by assuming more responsibility on offense. He proved his worth with 26 touchdown passes and a 100.0 efficiency rating, but still only averaged 182.2 yards per game. Expect a heighted passing game and more read-option formations as well, which will result in an increased overall production from the second-year signal caller.

What may help derail the Seahawks aerial assault is subpar pass protection at both guard spots and at right tackle with Breno Giacomini. More significant, however, is the potential loss of Percy Harvin for much of the season due to a hip injury.

Harvin was essentially Seattle’s first-round draft selection. The team acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings for multiple picks, including a first-rounder. He is an offensive force out wide, in the slot, out of the backfield and just about anywhere in space, not to mention his dynamic return abilities. He was the offseason addition that, on paper, looks to put the Seahawks over the top.

We will know by Tuesday of next week the extent of Harvin’s hip ailment.

The Seahawks will trot out a potent offense either way in 2013 with receivers Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and a top-five running game. Harvin, though, would help make it a league-leader.

Defensive Outlook

Seattle’s free-agent pickups along the defensive front continue to pay dividends.

The Seahawks front office made the crucial preemptive strike by signing defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Their combined 18.5 sacks from last year will help compensate for two significant early-season losses.

The team’s 2012 sack leader Chris Clemons will likely miss the first six games of the regular season following offseason ACL surgery. Second-leading sack artist Bruce Irvin will miss the first four games due to violation of the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.

Fortunately, this ferocious defense held opponents to the fewest points per game last year based on another positional unit.

The starting four in the secondary are as good any defensive back contingent in the NFL. Cornerback Richard Sherman assumed the reigns as top shutdown cornerback from Darrelle Revis with his eight interceptions and one returned for a touchdown. Free safety Earl Thomas is also one of the rising stars in this game. The secondary as a whole combined for 19 forced turnovers.

These boys won’t attain such prolific numbers in consecutive seasons. But they’ll be just as effective overall in 2013.

Furthermore, don’t overlook the linebacker corps. Bobby Wagner was a tackling machine last season and will continue his work as a top-five NFL inside backer who excels against the run and pass. K.J. Wright is a quality outside linebacker in his own right and will secure the weak side of the formation.

Seattle’s defense, in going from front to back, is loaded along the defensive line, has a star at linebacker and features the NFL’s most dominant secondary. They’ll control the flow of the game against just about any opponent they face this season.

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