With the AFC North and NFC North on the schedule this season, the Seattle Seahawks will do plenty of traveling, and they don't play at home until Week 3. In their quest to win the division for the fourth straight year, they'll have nine games against teams that made the playoffs last season and will face three quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco) who have Super Bowl rings.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at St. Louis, 1 p.m. ET
This one might not be pretty. It will be two of the best defensive lines in football going up against a pair of offensive lines that have serious question marks entering the season. The Seahawks lost in St. Louis last season and won ugly there in 2013. A game similar to that contest two years ago (a 14-9 Seahawks victory) would not be surprising. Seahawks 17, Rams 13. Record: 1-0.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m. ET
It'll be a rematch of last season's NFC title game in which the Seahawks overcame five turnovers and a 16-0 deficit to advance to the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers was held under 200 yards passing in each of his two meetings against Seattle last year. But he's the best quarterback on the Seahawks' schedule and will do enough to get the Packers a victory. Packers 24, Seahawks 20. Record: 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, Chicago, 4:25 p.m. ET
Fans won't get to see the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field until Week 3, but they'll be treated to the first blowout of the season. The Bears are under new direction with John Fox running the show, but Seattle rolls in its home opener. Seahawks 31, Bears 14. Record: 2-1.
Week 4: Monday, Oct. 5, Detroit, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Seahawks' only Monday night appearance of the season comes against Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and the Detroit Lions. This one could be competitive, but the Seahawks are too tough at home. Seahawks 27, Lions 17. Record: 3-1.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. ET
This could be a tricky spot for the Seahawks. Coming off a Monday night game at home, they'll have to travel to Cincinnati for an early Sunday afternoon game. The Bengals are not short on talent, and they will challenge the Seahawks' ability to protect Russell Wilson. But ultimately, Seattle's defense will be too much for Andy Dalton. Seahawks 20, Bengals 17. Record: 4-1.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, Carolina, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Panthers return to Seattle in a rematch of last year's divisional round game. Marshawn Lynch against Luke Kuechly is must-see TV for any NFL fan. Ultimately, Carolina just doesn't have the receiving weapons to threaten the Seahawks' secondary. Seahawks 27, Panthers 14. Record: 5-1.
Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 22, at San Francisco, 8:25 p.m. ET
The Seahawks will travel to San Francisco on a short week to take on the 49ers. Last season, they held the Niners to a total of 10 points in two games. And San Francisco is less talented this time around. Seahawks 17, 49ers 7. Record: 6-1.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Dallas, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Cowboys beat the Seahawks last season, and they'll do so again this year. Dallas has an offensive line that should be able to protect Tony Romo, and it could have a formidable pass rush as well. The Seahawks lose their second game before the bye. Cowboys 24, Seahawks 21. Record: 6-2.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, Arizona, 8:30 p.m. ET
Last season, the Seahawks didn't face the Cardinals until Week 12. This year, they don't get their NFC West foe until Week 10. With defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in New York and a lot of responsibility in the hands of 35-year-old Carson Palmer, the Cardinals are a bit of a wild card in the division. Seahawks 26, Cardinals 14. Record: 7-2.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, San Francisco, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Seahawks play the Niners twice in a five-week stretch. This one's at home, and the result isn't much different than the first meeting. Seahawks 21, 49ers 10. Record: 8-2.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m. ET
I've got the Seahawks down for one home loss, and it's here against the Steelers. With Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh figures to have one of the more prolific offenses in the NFL and will challenge the Seahawks' defense. Steelers 27, Seahawks 20. Record: 8-3.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Minnesota, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings are a popular sleeper pick going into the season. If Teddy Bridgewater can progress, the offense could be formidable with Adrian Peterson returning to the backfield. And the defense will present a tough matchup with Mike Zimmer once again calling the shots. But the Seahawks avoid losing back-to-back games here in a close one. Seahawks 20, Vikings 17. Record: 9-3.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. ET
Tough stretch here with back-to-back road trips to Minnesota and Baltimore. The Ravens will be among the better teams in the AFC and play with a physicality that can match Pete Carroll's group. Joe Flacco and Company hand Seattle its fourth loss. Ravens 24, Seahawks 17. Record: 9-4.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, Cleveland, 4:05 p.m. ET
It's anyone's guess who will be quarterbacking the Browns at this point. Perhaps Johnny Manziel gets the ball at CenturyLink Field? Either way, the Browns don't have the talent to match up. Seahawks 31, Browns 6. Record: 10-4.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, St. Louis, 4:25 ET
It will be fascinating to see how the offensive lines compare here to where they were in Week 1. The Seahawks' hope, at least, is that their unit jells and is much better at the end of the season than the beginning. Seahawks 21, Rams 14. Record: 11-4.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Arizona, 4:25 ET
The guess here is that the Seahawks will have the division wrapped up by Week 17, but they very well could be playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. That's significant, and they'll take care of business against the Cardinals. Seahawks 27, Cardinals 14. Record: 12-4.