I think a lot of people are underestimating the Panthers... Do I think they're a playoff team, no. But it wouldn't surprise me if SEA lost (tough road opener environment).
Week 1 & 2:
I think the most likely scenario is the SEA win both @ Carolina and vs. the 49ers... They start 2-0. The Niners win at home vs. the Pack, but lose at SEA. Rams win at home vs. the Cardinals and lose in ATL; and the Cardinals lose at the Rams and win at home vs. the Lions...
SEA: 2-0
SF: 1-1
STL: 1-1
ARI: 1-1
Weeks 3-5:
SEA: Jaguars (W), @ Texans (L), @ Colts (L)
SF: Colts (W), @ Rams TNF (L), Texans SNF (W)
STL: @ Cowboys (L), 49ers (W), Jaguars (W)
ARI: @ Saints (L), @ Bucs (L), Panthers (W)
SEA: 3-2
SF: 3-2
STL: 3-2
ARI: 2-3
Weeks 6-8
SEA: Titans (W), @ Arizona TNF (W), @ Rams MNF (L)
SF: Arizona (W), @ Titans (W), @ Jaguars - London (W)
STL: @ Texans (L), @ Panthers (L), Seahawks MNF (W)
ARI: @ 49ers (L), Seahawks TNF (L), Falcons (L)
SF: 6-2
SEA: 5-3
STL: 4-4
ARI: 2-6
Weeks 9-11
SEA: Bucs (W), @ Falcons (L), Vikings (W)
SF: Bye, Panthers (W), @ Saints (L)
STL: Titans (W), @ Colts (L), Bye
ARI: Bye, Texans (L), @ Jaguars (W)
SF: 7-3
SEA: 7-4
STL: 5-5
ARI: 3-7
Weeks 12-14
SEA: Bye, Saints MNF (W), @ 49ers (L)
SF: @ Redskins MNF (L), Rams (W), Seahawks (W)
STL: Bears (W), @49ers (L), @ Cardinals (W)
ARI: Colts (L), @ Eagles (L), Rams (L)
SF: 9-4
SEA: 8-5
STL: 7-6
ARI: 3-10
Weeks 15-17
SEA: @ NYG (L), Cardinals (W), Rams (W)
SF: @ Bucs (W), Falcons MNF (W), @ Cardinals (W)
STL: Saints (W), Bucs (W), @ Seahawks (L)
ARI: @ Titans (L), @ Seahawks (L), 49ers (L)
SF: 12-4 - 2nd Seed
SEA: 10-6 - 5th Seed
STL: 9-7
ARI: 3-13
The Niners' away schedule is so much better than the Seahawks... :snack: