When the Seattle Seahawks are genuine Super Bowl contenders, that’s always a good indication that things are going well at CenturyLink Field. Thanks to the team registering six wins and just one defeat to open the 2020/2021 season, fans have good reason to believe that anything is possible.
Although some games have been tight and could have gone either way, the only defeat came against the Arizona Cardinals and that encounter needed overtime to resolve. Otherwise, the team has demonstrated excellent resolve and while there have been deficiencies, this group of players has usually rallied together. They’ve been working hard to mask any shortcomings by focusing on ensuring their own strengths, which makes a big difference against rivals.
Having made a positive start to the campaign, sportsbooks appear confident in this continuing to be a strong season for the Seattle Seahawks. According to the latest NFL odds on bet365 and looking at the futures markets in particular, they are firm favorites priced at -250 to win the NFC West. Likewise, at +333 to win the NFC Championship, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at +275 are priced with shorter odds.
But what about going all the way for the big prize? Well, the Seattle Seahawks are tipped amongst the leading five teams. Priced at +750 odds, they’re genuine contenders to win Super Bowl LV, scheduled to be held in February 2021 at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. During what remains of the regular season, the team is expected to comfortably secure their place in the playoffs. Although, once there, results can sometimes be a coin toss.
Nobody knows that better than Pete Carroll, who is now in his 11th season leading the Seattle franchise. He led the team to glory at Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. After an excellent 13-3 regular season was backed up by a superb run in the playoffs, Carroll’s leadership culminated in lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy after crushing the Denver Broncos. The following season the team went all the way again to reach Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, before enduring an agonizing defeat against the New England Patriots.
As one of the most experienced and successful coaches in American football, there’s no doubt that before 69-year-old Carroll decides to call time on his illustrious career, he’ll want to lead the Seahawks to another Super Bowl. Although his current contract is set to run through the 2021 NFL season, in September the Seattle Times reported that negotiations are ongoing. The franchise is clearly keen to extend terms for a few more years.
When his current deal was penned in December 2018, “one year at a time” was a memorable comment made by Carroll at the time, hinting at the way he prefers to think ahead. If he can lead the team to Super Bowl success one more time, that might well be his chance to bow out in a blaze of glory. It would also go a long way toward helping the Seahawks to soar before handing the reigns to a younger coach. Hopefully, the team will rise to the challenge and make such an ambition a reality.
