It's hard living out here in Egypt. Surrounded by clear skies, fresh air, emerald forests and all that damn, life-giving water. It can be downright suffocating out here, isolated from the rest of the world.
But eight times a year, the Seahawks escape this nature-infested hellhole. Unfortunately, doing so has often led to poor play and unnecessary losses blighting the record.
In 10 seasons under Mike Holmgren, the Seahawks were 34-46 on the road. Compare that to a 52-28 record at home, and it shows a dangerous trend. Only once did they have a winning record on the road--in 2005.
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It begs the question, how will the Jim Mora-led Seahawks hold up on the road?
The usual thinking is ball control and turnover differential wins on the road. That means running the ball effectively and forcing turnovers on defense.
Unfortunately, defense has never been Seattle's forte. But with a renewed emphasis on that side of the ball and a team built to be a force against the run, the Seahawks certainly enter 2009 with more hope than ever.
Everyone knows how tough the Seahawks are at home. That 52-28 record speaks for itself. But the 'Hawks can't count on going undefeated at home as they have done in the past.
That means winning on the road is going to be perhaps more important than ever. The offense is unlikely to be a top-five unit, which means the defense needs to step up and be a force, both at home and on the road.
It seems like asking a lot, but that's the direction the new coaching staff is leading this team. Hopefully, it pays off in 2009.
Here's Seattle's road schedule this season:
Week 2: @ San Fransisco
Week 4: @ Indianapolis
Week 8: @ Dallas
Week 10: @ Arizona
Week 11: @ Minnesota
Week 12: @ St. Louis
Week 14: @ Houston
Week 16: @ Green Bay
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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