You would not have pegged the 2015 Seattle Seahawks to lose four of their first six games coming off two consecutive trips to the Super Bowl or to subsequently win eight of the next ten to storm into the playoffs with a 10-6 mark, but that incredibly was the story of their season.

As if that wasn't enough, they would then punctuate the tale by falling behind the Carolina Panthers 31-0 at halftime of their Divisional Round playoff game, only to storm back before eventually losing 31-24, ending their run as two-time NFC champions.

The moral of the story is that it was foolish to count out Pete Carroll's Seahawks last season and it would not be a wise move to do it this year either.

For example, after years of smash mouth football with Marshawn Lynch as the starting tailback, it would be easy to say the running game will be diminished now that he has gone from Beast Mode to Retirement Mode.

In his four healthy seasons prior to last year, Lynch rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored at least 11 touchdowns on the ground.  His reputation as one of the most punishing backs, especially in the fourth quarter, is unquestioned.

In 2015, while Lynch struggled through injuries, another back emerged in his place.

Rookie Thomas Rawls started seven games, appearing in 13 overall, averaging 5.6 yards a carry and scoring four touchdowns.  Unfortunately a broken ankle ended his season in December and recovering from the surgery has kept him on the sidelines during the preseason.  If he's able to take his place in the Seahawks backfield in Week 1, he could facilitate a seamless transition at the running back position.

With or without Rawls, the offensive focus now falls into the very capable hands of quarterback Russell Wilson.

Already the owner of two conference championships and a Super Bowl ring, Wilson has started all 64 games of his NFL career and set a career high with 34 passing touchdowns last season.  He is also dangerous with his feet and though he only scored one rushing touchdown, compared to the five he had in 2014, his ability to escape trouble and keep plays alive is of higher value than his ability to run downfield.

When he does put the ball up, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and if he can recover in time for Week 1, tight end Jimmy Graham make excellent targets both in short and deep passing attacks.

In fact, Baldwin's last six 2015 regular season games saw him catch 11 touchdowns, including a pair of three touchdown games.

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You've probably heard the names that populate the Seahawks defence, the top scoring defence in each of the past four seasons.

Throwing on the Seahawks remains a complete nightmare with Richard Sherman returning to lead an all-world secondary that also includes Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, who will be in the lineup from the opening week.  His holdout last season no doubt played a part in the slow start the Seahawks had coming out of the gate.

Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril remain up front for the Seahawks to provide pressure and they are two of the best at getting after the quarterback.  

Returning a unit as strong as this one is a major advantage that should help them get a better foothold early in the season.

The NFC West should be a case of the haves and have nots and while the Arizona Cardinals are the current title holders, the Seahawks will be gunning for that number one spot.  Don't be surprised if after a one-year hiatus, they are back on top of the division and perhaps even the entire conference.