The Self Own: How Seahawks Mike Macdonald Tamed NFL Hydra
The Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato wrote: For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.
The Seahawks started to find themselves again in 2024. Their general manager John Schneider, is considered one of the top personnel men in the league and is currently the second longest serving GM in the NFL.
He had decided to move on from super gum chewer, Pete Carroll, and hired Mike Macdonald away from the Baltimore Ravens. The team went an unheralded 10-7 and missed the playoffs.
The next year, the team went to the Superbowl, suffocating its opponents with its defense and striking quickly on offense. Jaxson Smith Njigba was a revelation at receiver, Kenneth Walker III had a solid year as a runner and the front office added Rashid Shaheed to blow the top off defenses and entrance the return game on special teams.
Macdonald has talked about his struggles his first season leading the Seahawks, describing symptoms of depression and increased drinking. He appears to have come out of it stronger last season and is now considered a top head coach in the league.
The front office solidified the defense and the offensive line and added journeyman Sam Darnold at quarterback last year. This year, they are quietly 2-0, having won easily twice already despite having their backup QB playing from early in the first game.
They play in Washington this week. Normally we would go against the crowd and bet Washington, but this week we are taking Seattle (-7.5) to cover against Washington who is playing a backup QB and has a bunch of injuries from last week's game against Dallas.
Take Philly (-3.5) against the Bears and for our contrarian bet the Jets (+6.5) against the Lions. Historically, 0-2 teams do well against the spread in week 3 so beware of the Chargers winning outright in Buffalo or Tennessee playing the Giants.
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