Seahawks 2014 Schedule

[Eaglehawk]

We start off hosting the Packers on Thursday night.

And we play the Niners 2 times in 3 weeks. WTF?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10829 ... a=module-b

[RiverDog]

Bye week comes damn early, too. But at least we only have 3 early starts and we don't have to go to London.

[NorthHawk]

Not looking forward to the year we go to London.
With parity comes great challenges, and it's going to be difficult to achieve the same record this year or get HFA should we make the playoffs.

[obiken]

Yeah but we are going to the snot beat out of us physically the last 2 months. Our last 7 KC, Philly SFx2, ZonaX2, and the Rams. IF we don't win HFA we are just toast. I think we will win 11 and make the Playoffs but man what a killer schedule!! The guy that loses at home in the NFC West is just fubared!

[RiverDog]

Read a tweet from Pro Football Talk (at the Huddle Report) that says that the league does not give the Seahawks many prime time games because they want to avoid blowouts. It's good to be feared.

We have 4 Prime Time games, and I think the maximum is 5, and I can see them leaving one available to be flexed.

BTW, this season, NBC can exercise their flex option starting in Week 5. With more games available to be flexed, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of our games, such as our home game with the Niners, flexed into Prime Time.

Obi, don't sweat the schedule just yet. This isn't college where teams like Alabama and Ohio State are contenders year in and year out. Last year's champ is often times this year's chump. IMO you have to wait until Week 5 to handicap strength of schedule in the NFL.

[NorthHawk]

Yeah but we are going to the snot beat out of us physically the last 2 months. Our last 7 KC, Philly SFx2, ZonaX2, and the Rams. IF we don't win HFA we are just toast. I think we will win 11 and make the Playoffs but man what a killer schedule!! The guy that loses at home in the NFC West is just fubared!

It is a tough schedule, but remember that SF and Zona have to play us twice as well, not to mention the Rams once.
We are the masters of our own destiny. Let's see what we can do this year.

[HumanCockroach]

Personally I hope that another of the 10 am game gets flexed. Both SF and Seattle ended up with back to back east coast start times, which should IMHO never happen to a west coast team.

[Hawk Sista]

As a woman who hosts a kajillion people for Thanksgiving, that game HURTS me. Maybe I can use the C card and say I need a 3 1/2 hour nap at 5:30. Thanksgiving football is the worst. Of all the people at my house, I am the biggest football fan, yet I'll be elbow deep in mashed potatoes & dishes all frickin day. DAMN IT!!!

[RiverDog]

As a woman who hosts a kajillion people for Thanksgiving, that game HURTS me. Maybe I can use the C card and say I need a 3 1/2 hour nap at 5:30. Thanksgiving football is the worst. Of all the people at my house, I am the biggest football fan, yet I'll be elbow deep in mashed potatoes & dishes all frickin day. DAMN IT!!!

Yea, that one is going to require some adjusting of schedules. I might have to break my anti DVD pledge for Hawk games as our Turkey Day supper generally starts around 6.

If you're doing the cooking, someone else needs to be assigned to clean-up, sis.

[Eaglehawk]

As a woman who hosts a kajillion people for Thanksgiving, that game HURTS me. Maybe I can use the C card and say I need a 3 1/2 hour nap at 5:30. Thanksgiving football is the worst. Of all the people at my house, I am the biggest football fan, yet I'll be elbow deep in mashed potatoes & dishes all frickin day. DAMN IT!!!

Why not Sista. Maybe you won't even have to use the card though, just feign tiredness(something tells me with all that work you won't have to), and tell everyone you are going to rest a couple of hours. As long as the TV is in your room, and the room is dark, you are set! And if you want to play another card, just tell them that I am your doctor and have me call you at the right time, I'll tell them anything you want me to. You should be just fine Sista!

[SalmonBB]

Took me about 20 minutes to find the schedule today. Media's gotten so sophisticated that it becomes difficult to find the most simple things. Either getting bombarded by ads my computer can't keep up with; or, every article about the schedule wants to take me through some pictorial description of the schedule, as I'm bombarded by more junk with each photo. Or, the articles talk about certain aspects of the schedule, whithout actually writing the full schedule.

Finally, when I did see it ... my biggest thought is that it is not an "easy" schedule, but whenever is it really anyway? Next, I don't like the Week 4 Bye; that's a crappy draw.

Sorry guys ... been a crappy day.

Overall, still very excited for the season. Opener will be quite the event! NFL did a good job selecting that one.

Love, SBB

GO SEAHAWKS!!! WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

[Hawk Sista]

As a woman who hosts a kajillion people for Thanksgiving, that game HURTS me. Maybe I can use the C card and say I need a 3 1/2 hour nap at 5:30. Thanksgiving football is the worst. Of all the people at my house, I am the biggest football fan, yet I'll be elbow deep in mashed potatoes & dishes all frickin day. DAMN IT!!!

Why not Sista. Maybe you won't even have to use the card though, just feign tiredness(something tells me with all that work you won't have to), and tell everyone you are going to rest a couple of hours. As long as the TV is in your room, and the room is dark, you are set! And if you want to play another card, just tell them that I am your doctor and have me call you at the right time, I'll tell them anything you want me to. You should be just fine Sista!

GOOD CALL! I may take you up on that, Dr. Eagle-Hawk.

[c_hawkbob]

Last year:

Niners- 4 prime time games, 3 at home.
Saints- 5 prime time games, 2 at home.
Packers- 5 prime time games, 3 at home
Panthers- 3 prime time games, 2 at home
Eagles- 4 prime time games, 3 at home

This year:

Broncos- 5 prime time games, 3 at home
Super Bowl Champ Seahawks- 4 prime time games, 1 at home.

(thanks to Kingdome at the blue for compiling the #'s)

According to Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com,

a league source said the NFL was hesitant to schedule more Seahawks home games in prime-time air slots because the contests have a tendency to become “uncompetitive.”

BR's Dan carson writes:

You can complain about the lackluster amount of air time, but at least you’ll go to sleep knowing your team is, paradoxically, too good for prime time. Put that feather in your cap and wear it proudly

[burrrton]

According to Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com,

a league source said the NFL was hesitant to schedule more Seahawks home games in prime-time air slots because the contests have a tendency to become “uncompetitive.”

BR's Dan carson writes:

You can complain about the lackluster amount of air time, but at least you’ll go to sleep knowing your team is, paradoxically, too good for prime time. Put that feather in your cap and wear it proudly

I was about to post something to the effect of "SONS OF B*TCHES MUST PAY!"- those quotes make it worth tolerating without comment, I guess.

[Hawktawk]

NFL can talk all the BS about non competitive games they want. This is a dynasty block schedule. Week 4 Bye with the NFC West war stacked a couple of months later when everyone is beat up. 4 road prime time games where the home team is juiced to the rafters regardless of record. See last years Rams game as exhibit "A,B, and C". And the only home prime time is the kickoff special against a team with the biggest stiffie in the league for Seattle, an itch they have waited 2 years to scratch. Repeating will be a monumental task this year.......................

[NorthHawk]

Regardless of if it's a dynasty block schedule, the other teams still have to play US and 8 of the games are against US at HOME.
It's going to be no free ride for any team that plays us no matter how tough the schedule is.

It's going to be difficult to repeat because every team in the NFC West is tough to play. That's 6 games regardless of any scheduling.

[obiken]

You have a point NH, I was just hoping not to have to play the Panthers again. We'll see.

[NorthHawk]

Well, we're Champions now so we have to take on all comers wherever and whenever we're scheduled.
It'll be interesting to see how we do being the front runner instead of chasing.
I think that will be the real test of Pete's philosophy and the buy-in by the players.
We won't win all 16, and maybe bad luck will bite us here and there, but we should win our share.

[RiverDog]

I would like to remind everyone that for the first time, NBC will be able to flex their SNF contest beginning in Week 5. Perhaps this was the reason why they held back on committing the 5th prime time game, so they could keep their options open in case some team like the Rams turns out to be this season's Flavor of the Day. We do play the Rams at home in Week 17.

[HumanCockroach]

Last becauseNiners- 4 prime time games, 3 at home.
Saints- 5 prime time games, 2 at home.
Packers- 5 prime time games, 3 at home
Panthers- 3 prime time games, 2 at home
Eagles- 4 prime time games, 3 at home

This year:

Broncos- 5 prime time games, 3 at home
Super Bowl Champ Seahawks- 4 prime time games, 1 at home.

(thanks to Kingdome at the blue for compiling the #'s)

According to Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com,

a league source said the NFL was hesitant to schedule more Seahawks home games in prime-time air slots because the contests have a tendency to become “uncompetitive.”

BR's Dan carson writes:

You can complain about the lackluster amount of air time, but at least you’ll go to sleep knowing your team is, paradoxically, too good for prime time. Put that feather in your cap and wear it proudly

Yep and that 1PT game is because they HAVE to do it. I'm ok with the general thought that Seattle just "isn't the same team at home as on the road" because last I checked the Seahawks went 6-2 on the road last season. Personally, I hope they add that to the list of disrespect this team plays with, and ups the level of play on the road, and absolutely dismantles those teams on the road as well. Stuff where the sun don't shine schedule makers.....

[Eaglehawk]

It's a business and the NFL FO lost a lot of respect with that Broncos blow out, not to mention all those stupid commentators having to eat their own words.
They are embarrassed and some of them subconsciously want to stick it to us this year.

They have!

This schedule is about as tough a schedule I can EVER remember.

The thing that I agree with was the point made by one poster, maybe RD, TODAY this looks tough, when the season gets started and if SFO starts off 0-4 and the Cards 2-4, and the Donkeys 2-4, now we have a different handicap to deal with.

This is not a static situation. Sure may not happen, but it COULD.

[RiverDog]

It's a business and the NFL FO lost a lot of respect with that Broncos blow out, not to mention all those stupid commentators having to eat their own words.
They are embarrassed and some of them subconsciously want to stick it to us this year.

They have!

This schedule is about as tough a schedule I can EVER remember.

The thing that I agree with was the point made by one poster, maybe RD, TODAY this looks tough, when the season gets started and if SFO starts off 0-4 and the Cards 2-4, and the Donkeys 2-4, now we have a different handicap to deal with.

This is not a static situation. Sure may not happen, but it COULD.

Yea, that was me. I wish I had a nickel for every time a fellow Hawk fan was wringing his or her hands over our schedule. Last season, it was the 5 early starts that had everybody's briefs/panties in a wad. We went 4-1 in those games. This time last season, not many thought Atlanta and the Giants would be such easy push overs. There's just too many unpredictable things, like new player acquisitions, injuries, and lady luck that can be huge factors. Parity is so prevalent in this league that there's a very small margin between winning and losing, which is what differentiates the NFL from the colleges. All it takes is for one or two components of a complicated formula to change and it can alter the outcome.

[Eaglehawk]

As a woman who hosts a kajillion people for Thanksgiving, that game HURTS me. Maybe I can use the C card and say I need a 3 1/2 hour nap at 5:30. Thanksgiving football is the worst. Of all the people at my house, I am the biggest football fan, yet I'll be elbow deep in mashed potatoes & dishes all frickin day. DAMN IT!!!

Why not Sista. Maybe you won't even have to use the card though, just feign tiredness(something tells me with all that work you won't have to), and tell everyone you are going to rest a couple of hours. As long as the TV is in your room, and the room is dark, you are set! And if you want to play another card, just tell them that I am your doctor and have me call you at the right time, I'll tell them anything you want me to. You should be just fine Sista!

GOOD CALL! I may take you up on that, Dr. Eagle-Hawk.

Dr. Eaglehawk. I like how that sounds!!

[NorthHawk]

I wonder if Sis's family would catch on if she said it was Dr. Eaglehawk.

[Hawktawk]

It's a business and the NFL FO lost a lot of respect with that Broncos blow out, not to mention all those stupid commentators having to eat their own words.
They are embarrassed and some of them subconsciously want to stick it to us this year.

They have!

This schedule is about as tough a schedule I can EVER remember.

The thing that I agree with was the point made by one poster, maybe RD, TODAY this looks tough, when the season gets started and if SFO starts off 0-4 and the Cards 2-4, and the Donkeys 2-4, now we have a different handicap to deal with.

This is not a static situation. Sure may not happen, but it COULD.

Thats a spot on analysis Eagle. The one time the camera panned on Goody Two Shoes in the stands he looked for all the world like he was passing a gallstone. And it seemed to me to be a look more upset than the fact it wasnt competetive. Looked like he was unhappy with who was administeruing the beatdown.

Frisco could slide with all the off field BS and the aborted trade of Hairball looming. I could see a major collapse in Denver. Fox was completely baffled in the Superbowl. And the deification of Peyton check down charlie with his noodle arm and happy feet is going to be delayed a bit longer. There were whispers even before the Superbowl that his demanding prima donna personality was beginning to wear thin with his team. Manny Ramirez and Wes Welker were obviously furious after the game. I dont see how they replicate their success with the fossilized QB another year older.

I'm nervous about that season opener though. That was a team that was looking scary before Rodgers injury and I cant imagine a more motivated opponent, 9ers included. Hawks will need their A game. The thought of heading to SD to play a very dangerous Chargers team at 0-1 is very disconcerting to me.

[burrrton]

I was listening to Danny and Brock this morning and they were talking about the 'primetime home game' slight, and the more I think about it the more I see it as a big middle finger to Seattle.

Does anyone think if Dallas or the Giants had thumped a few teams in a row in primetime games at home that the NFL would say "Eh, it's not as attractive to go there right now"?

I think no f in way.

[kalibane]

I think this is more about ratings and logistics, even though it's very tempting to feel slighted. I think John Clayton described it best. There are games that Fox and CBS are going to protect. So San Fran at home got protected. Denver at Home got protected. Green Bay made prime time. That leaves St. Louis, Arizona, Dallas, Oakland and the Giants vs. road games of Washington, Philly, Carolina, KC, St. Louis, Arizona, San Diego and SF. The more appealing games are the road games. These were Clayton's thoughts.

After further thinking about it here our my thoughs using that basic reasoning as a springboard:

You might argue why put the Arizona game at home in primetime instead of the road game but that would mean putting the Seahawks on in prime time twice in 5 days (Thanksgiving game is right after the Zona home game).

Given all this the home vs. road prime time slots make more sense. Of course this doesn't account for the fact that the Giants have 5 primetime games after how horrible they were last year. We all know why (NY audience), but it doesn't make it "right".

You might say that they could put the Dallas or Giants games at home on prime time, but it's almost a twisted sign of respect. There is nothing compelling about the actual matchups. They know the Giants and Cowboys can pull ratings on their own. And obviously if they are willing to put Seattle vs. Arizona on Sunday Night, they believe that the Seahawks can carry ratings by themselves. So without a compelling story line (Fail Mary 2/Superbowl rematch/ SF-SEA grudge match), why waste a prime time game on two teams that can pull ratings on their own when you could split them up and insure ratings on two different nights?

At the end of the day I think it sucks when a terrible team like the Giants gets 5 games and the Seahawks only got 4. But even then. One of those Giants games is an NFL Network Thursday Night "prime time" game. But those don't even really count in my book. So really it's 4-4. I really doubt there is a terrible amount of bias against the Seahawks involved. But I hope the team doesn't see it that way.

Lastly, the main beef I always had about no prime time games is that I didn't get to see the Seahawks play (not being local since 1993). But 1. I get NFL Sunday Ticket now so it's irrelevant and 2. I'm betting that the Carolina, Philly, KC and Dallas games all stand a pretty good chance of being the featured games in those time slots.

[burrrton]

All good points, Kal. I'll pipe down.

[RiverDog]

I was listening to Danny and Brock this morning and they were talking about the 'primetime home game' slight, and the more I think about it the more I see it as a big middle finger to Seattle.

Does anyone think if Dallas or the Giants had thumped a few teams in a row in primetime games at home that the NFL would say "Eh, it's not as attractive to go there right now"?

I think no f in way.

I'm glad Kal responded because I was beginning to think that I was the only one in this forum that didn't feel the least bit slighted by only getting one home Prime Time game.

Except for the fact that it at times offers me a more convenient opportunity to see the game, I honestly don't care whether we are on Prime Time at all. So long as I can see my Seahawks, it's the rest of the nation's loss if they don't show it in Prime Time, not mine. I fully understand the logic of the league and the networks to offer in Prime Time those teams from the larger television markets, like the Giants and Cowboys, and those that have popular, nation wide followings like the Packers and Steelers. It's only the American way to give the majority of people what they want, and if more people would rather watch Tony Romo choke on a big one than there are guys like us that love watching a Beast Mode run, then give them Romo and let me watch my Hawks in the afternoon.

[NorthHawk]

I understand it, but wouldn't you want to grow your business?
We all know the NY, Dallas, Packers, 49ers, etc. will get their share of the audience, but if you get the viewers to want to watch other teams like the Bills, Bengals, Seahawks, etc. that would mean the TV rights would be worth more. How do you make them more attractive? Show more of them and talk about them. If there is a groundswell of support for these other teamd, the NFL will get more money because of the wider audience. We know the big teams will always get about the same support, but if you can build up the lesser supported teams to similar levels more money will flow into the NFL. Leaving them in the shadows of the big boys won't help much at all from a new revenue PoV.

[RiverDog]

I understand it, but wouldn't you want to grow your business?
We all know the NY, Dallas, Packers, 49ers, etc. will get their share of the audience, but if you get the viewers to want to watch other teams like the Bills, Bengals, Seahawks, etc. that would mean the TV rights would be worth more. How do you make them more attractive? Show more of them and talk about them. If there is a groundswell of support for these other teamd, the NFL will get more money because of the wider audience. We know the big teams will always get about the same support, but if you can build up the lesser supported teams to similar levels more money will flow into the NFL. Leaving them in the shadows of the big boys won't help much at all from a new revenue PoV.

It's my team, but it isn't my business. It's Paul Allen's business. So long as there is revenue sharing and/or a salary cap, increased revenue will have very little, if anything, to do with winning football games. If it did, the Cowboys and Redskins would be having a lot more success than they've had recently as they are far and away the biggest revenue producers in the league.

[NorthHawk]

I understand it, but wouldn't you want to grow your business?
We all know the NY, Dallas, Packers, 49ers, etc. will get their share of the audience, but if you get the viewers to want to watch other teams like the Bills, Bengals, Seahawks, etc. that would mean the TV rights would be worth more. How do you make them more attractive? Show more of them and talk about them. If there is a groundswell of support for these other teamd, the NFL will get more money because of the wider audience. We know the big teams will always get about the same support, but if you can build up the lesser supported teams to similar levels more money will flow into the NFL. Leaving them in the shadows of the big boys won't help much at all from a new revenue PoV.

It's my team, but it isn't my business. It's Paul Allen's business. So long as there is revenue sharing and/or a salary cap, increased revenue will have very little, if anything, to do with winning football games. If it did, the Cowboys and Redskins would be having a lot more success than they've had recently as they are far and away the biggest revenue producers in the league.

Are you saying the NFL is ambivalent about making more money?
What I am saying is as a smaller market team enjoy success, they get more exposure and increase both TV revenue and team memorabilia sales (jerseys, caps, coffee mugs, etc.). This helps all owners.
The idea I'm getting at is broadening your appeal within the US instead of going off to Europe or in addition to.

[RiverDog]

All I care about, in relation to the Seahawks, is won/loss records, or more specifically, Lombardi's. If I owned stock in the 'Hawks, like the Packers fans do with their team, it might be a little different. I don't go to sleep at night worrying if Paul Allen is worth $50 billion or only a meager $35 billion.

[NorthHawk]

All I care about, in relation to the Seahawks, is won/loss records, or more specifically, Lombardi's. If I owned stock in the 'Hawks, like the Packers fans do with their team, it might be a little different. I don't go to sleep at night worrying if Paul Allen is worth $50 billion or only a meager $35 billion.

OK.
You are just thinking of Seattle, I was discussing the NFL as a business and how it could be beneficial to promote the lesser teams (from a popularity PoV) and how it relates to scheduling.

[RiverDog]

All I care about, in relation to the Seahawks, is won/loss records, or more specifically, Lombardi's. If I owned stock in the 'Hawks, like the Packers fans do with their team, it might be a little different. I don't go to sleep at night worrying if Paul Allen is worth $50 billion or only a meager $35 billion.

OK.
You are just thinking of Seattle, I was discussing the NFL as a business and how it could be beneficial to promote the lesser teams (from a popularity PoV) and how it relates to scheduling.

The NFL is a $9 billion business and by far the biggest revenue major league sporting league in the world, of which they split between 31 individuals and one franchise (Green Bay) that is publically traded. As long as it doesn't effect the product they put on the field, I don't give two hoots in hell how they do as a business. Quite the contrary, I sometimes despise the decisions made that have as their singular goal the enhancement of their revenue stream, such as their determination to put a team in London.

[NorthHawk]

All I care about, in relation to the Seahawks, is won/loss records, or more specifically, Lombardi's. If I owned stock in the 'Hawks, like the Packers fans do with their team, it might be a little different. I don't go to sleep at night worrying if Paul Allen is worth $50 billion or only a meager $35 billion.

OK.
You are just thinking of Seattle, I was discussing the NFL as a business and how it could be beneficial to promote the lesser teams (from a popularity PoV) and how it relates to scheduling.

The NFL is a $9 billion business and by far the biggest revenue major league sporting league in the world, of which they split between 31 individuals and one franchise (Green Bay) that is publically traded. As long as it doesn't effect the product they put on the field, I don't give two hoots in hell how they do as a business. Quite the contrary, I sometimes despise the decisions made that have as their singular goal the enhancement of their revenue stream, such as their determination to put a team in London.

I get what you're saying, but we are talking about 2 different things.

[Eaglehawk]

I almost hope we got fewer prime time games than 4!

Flying under the radar is always preferable to being exposed because when you are exposed you are a target.
Personally, I could care less about prime time or not.
I hope the Giants situation riles the players though!

[RiverDog]

[quote="NorthHawk]I get what you're saying, but we are talking about 2 different things.[/quote]

I guess I don't. My sympathy for the financial status of the owners is practically nil. They're no different than any other large corporation in that they make their decisions based first and foremost on how it impacts their profits. Any consideration of the players and fans is strictly secondary and applies only if their interests just happens to align with their primary objective. Sorry for the rant, but I couldn't help it.

I'm with Eagle. After a convincing rout in the Super Bowl, there's no way on Earth we are going to be allowed to fly under the radar, but I honestly don't care if we ever appear in Prime Time. So long as we're in it and I can watch it, they could hold the Super Bowl at 11:00 am on a Wednesday for all I care.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm certainly not convinced they were under the radar last year, and honestly I can't really understand the desire to be there regardless of prime time games numbers, you simply cannot become a perennial SB contender and "fly under the radar". I'm personally cool with that, doesn't mean I want all the prime time games on the road, but I agree there weren't a ton of real appealing options in that regard this season, networks can profess they want "competitive" games, but really it is based on viewers hip, hence the reason we get Giants or Boys or Skins forced down our throats year after year.

If the Hawks continue to win and draw fans ( bandwagon guys) they'll get to that point ( like the Stealers or Pats) but it takes more than one Lombardi to do it.

[NorthHawk]

I'm certainly not convinced they were under the radar last year, and honestly I can't really understand the desire to be there regardless of prime time games numbers, you simply cannot become a perennial SB contender and "fly under the radar". I'm personally cool with that, doesn't mean I want all the prime time games on the road, but I agree there weren't a ton of real appealing options in that regard this season, networks can profess they want "competitive" games, but really it is based on viewers hip, hence the reason we get Giants or Boys or Skins forced down our throats year after year.

If the Hawks continue to win and draw fans ( bandwagon guys) they'll get to that point ( like the Stealers or Pats) but it takes more than one Lombardi to do it.

Very true. It will take more than one SB win. However I would have thought they would promote the win more to attract those bandwagoners.

It's like a company with 32 product lines. A bunch of the old lines are doing well with not much chance of losing favor, but one of the newer ones have tweaked their product so it's as good or better than the others. I would have thought that company would want to expose the newer product more to create a larger sales base.