I may be biased a little, but also critical of the team too...with that being said I don't think the NFC West should be handed to SF either, and that SEA has a decent chance.
SEA has the second easiest schedule in the league, and still the main core (even though half the roster has changed) from last year, where, even after all the debalces, were a couple key last minute losses away from being within striking distance of the Niners at the end.
All the turnover may factor in to things this year, but I think SEA has a legitimate shot in the weakest division, of going 9-7 with their schedule. Carroll has brought a lot of positivity and energy, something also lacking the past few years.
As always, rests on the QB position. FINALLY, for the first time since Trent Dilfer left,there's a backup that has the confidence of the coach in Whitehurst. Thus if Hasslebeck starts up with his horrible decision making and throwing rainbows to no-one (and then throwing his hands up in confusion) as he has done since Superbowl XL, he will get yanked. No longer does he have the coach (Mora) to coddle him, and his "give me a 5 minute break to think first about yelling at me, plus you can't pull me because Seneca Wallace is the useless backup Mike Holmgren" routine won't fly with Carroll.
There are question marks about the running game still in order to have a balanced attack, and the need for a WR to emerge from the pack as a go to guy, but defense is young from up front and at LB and in the secondary, and going to get better, and ST are pretty good for Seattle.
Again, in the NFC West, there are question marks everywhere on each team, and, with them having such a light schedule, they wil lplay a lot of teams that aren't complete teams either, so its not out of the realm to have SEA right there, assuming Hasslebeck plays at a solid, consistent, mistake free level, and has a few guys make plays for him.
Big game to start...beat SF Week 1 and they're setup, IMO, to control their divsion title hopes early.
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