Predicting the NFL season can be tough. With only 16 regular-season games, the smallest bounce either way can have huge consequences. That said, here is my attempt to reason with the Seahawks’ 2009 schedule:

Week 1 vs. St. Louis Rams

Marc Bulger is still at quarterback, but he hasn’t been good since 2006. There isn’t much experience at wide receiver, though second-year man Donnie Avery is talented and fast. The offense will revolve around running back Steven Jackson.

Expect the Seahawks to limit Jackson’s damage and get to Bulger before he can find his inexperienced wide receivers downfield too many times.

The Rams don’t have a great defense, but there are good players present. Adam Carriker, Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Oshiomogho Atogwe are getting better.

Verdict – Seahawks win, but it’s not a blowout. Record – 1-0

Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers

Neither Shaun Hill or Alex Smith at quarterback is too scary for Seattle’s defense, while running back Frank Gore should be.

This early in the season, rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree might not have much to offer as he adjusts from his very different college system to the NFL.

San Francisco’s defense in a nutshell: Defensive line just O.K.; linebackers good mix of veteran and youth; secondary has a few strong veterans.

Verdict – Seahawks win, this game even closer than Week 1. Record – 2-0

Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears

The biggest variable in this game is how quickly new quarterback Jay Cutler develops with the rest of the offense. My guess: The Bears will be primed and ready. Chicago has talented targets in tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte that make up for what could be an enigmatic group of wide receivers.

The defense remains talented and another year older.

Verdict – The Bears move the ball well and take this one. Record – 2-1

Week 4 at Indianapolis Colts

There was a ton of turnover in the Colts’ coaching staff in the offseason and quarterback Peyton Manning made it known he wasn’t happy with the way things progressed. Even so, Manning with wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez should mix for a passing game that is at least efficient, if not prolific.

Joseph Addai had a down year but should rebound if his off-season knee surgery doesn’t slow down his warm-up to the season.

Defensive stars Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders remain.

Verdict – If this game was in Seattle, I’d give it to the Seahawks, but the Colts win in Indy. Record – 2-2

Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew are the makings of a good offense, but the Jags still lack wide receivers. Torry Holt will help, but he’s not an ideal No. 1 option at this point.

I also think the team will miss Fred Taylor at running back more than most do. Jones-Drew is dynamic, but Taylor was a steady presence in the backfield.

The defense doesn’t scare me, though there are playmakers in the secondary with Rashean Mathis and Reggie Nelson.

Verdict – The Seahawks bounce back from two straight losses to win this game at home. Record – 3-2

Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals

This is a statement game, either way it ends. Will the Seahawks put the Cardinals back in their place and resume their role as NFC West leaders? Or will the Cardinals win and complete the changing of the guard?

The same pieces are back with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. This team will pass for a lot of yards.

The Seahawks need to be on their offensive game in this one because Arizona has an underrated defense.

Verdict – The Cardinals come into the season overrated because of their amazing postseason run. The fact is the team went 9-7 in the regular season and showed flaws. I like the Seahawks. Record – 4-2

Week 7 Bye

Week 8 at Dallas Cowboys

Minus one huge distraction in Terrell Owens and unrealistic preseason hype, I like the Cowboys to be really good this season.

With Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Jason Witten and Roy Williams, Dallas will score points against Seattle.

The Cowboys’ strong defense up front should make for a long day for Julius Jones and Matt Hasselbeck. But if Hasselbeck can get time to work in the pocket, I like him and the Seahawks savvy receivers against the Cowboys’ secondary.

Verdict – The Cowboys win, but the Seahawks aren’t pushovers. Record – 4-3

Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions

The Lions have good young offensive players in running back Kevin Smith and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Will the quarterback be past-his-prime Daunte Culpepper or too-young Matthew Stafford? Does it matter?

Johnson provides a matchup problem for the Seahawks because he’s big, but the Lions don’t have a great offensive line to give the quarterback time to find him.

Detroit doesn’t have much on defense, except ex-Seahawk Julian Peterson.

Verdict – Seahawks wins fairly easily. I’d expect the noisy crowd to make things nearly impossible for Stafford if he were to start. Record – 5-3

Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals might find things a little bit easier in their home stadium this time around.

Verdict – Arizona gets revenge with a win. Record – 5-4

Week 11 at Minnesota Vikings

The strength of the Vikings should be in stopping the run and running with Adrian Peterson.

Quarterback remains a big question, so the team could struggle with balance again.

The Seahawks won’t find much room to run with no speed threat and the Vikings stacked inside on the defensive line. Hasselbeck should be able to throw in this secondary, though.

Verdict – Peterson will likely have a big day but the Seahawks overcome to get the win. Record – 6-4

Week 12 at St. Louis Rams

The Rams will be better at this point in the season, but not enough to take out the Seahawks.

Verdict – Seattle takes another from the Rams. Record – 7-4

Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers

This team is a bit of a wildcard. If Frank Gore can stay healthy, Shaun Hill or Alex Smith steps up to be a starter, or Crabtree becomes an impact receiver the offense could be good.

The defense, behind Patrick Willis, could improve rapidly.

Verdict – The 49ers give the Seahawks a scare at home, but it’s not quite enough. Record – 8-4

Week 14 at Houston Texans

The Texans’ offense has a chance to be very good. Houston’s pair of 6-foot-3 receivers (Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter) could pose big problems for Seattle’s smaller secondary.

Look for speedy defensive end Mario Williams to find Hasselbeck once or twice.

Verdict – The matchups aren’t good for Seattle and Houston wins. Record – 8-5

Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I think the loss of linebacker Derrick Brooks will hurt this team a lot. He was the leader for a long time.

The offense has good weapons with Kellen Winslow, Antonio Bryant and Derrick Ward, but who will throw the ball?

Verdict – The Seahawks should be able to take this one. Record – 9-5

Week 16 at Green Bay Packers

With Aaron Rodgers being a bit more comfortable in his second full season as a starter, I expect the Packers’ passing game to be strong.

The defense is hard to read at this point because it largely depends on how Aaron Kampman transitions from defensive end to linebacker. He has totaled 37 sacks in the past three seasons, but he will be dropping back into coverage much more.

Verdict – The Packers hold down homefield advantage in a low-scoring game. Record – 9-6

Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans

Before the the season starts, this looks like your classic speed/finesse team against the powerful Titans. Tennessee will once again be running a lot with speedy Chris Johnson and hefty LenDale White.

The Titan defense makes it a long day for Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, while Hasselbeck doesn’t have quite enough to overcome a slow running game.

Verdict – Tennessee takes the game, but don’t worry: Seattle makes the playoffs! Record – 9-7

Adam McFadden is a sports reporter for the Renton Reporter. He can be reached at amcfadden@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.