The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys face NFC West ‘has-been’ Week 16

By Christian Blood

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 25: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys exchanges words with defensive end Cliff Avril #56 of the Seattle Seahawks after being stopped on a rushing play at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 27-17. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 25: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys exchanges words with defensive end Cliff Avril #56 of the Seattle Seahawks after being stopped on a rushing play at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 27-17. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks high fives fans following the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks high fives fans following the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Former Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, a first-round pick in ’12, now joins Lynch in Oakland. Factor in his departure for the Raiders in ’16 with those injuries to Chancellor, Sherman and defensive end Cliff Avril and there’s no question that the Seattle defense is just not the same.

Compounding head coach Pete Carroll’s issues even further is nagging injuries to linebacker Bobby Wagner, chosen after Irvin in the ’12 NFL Draft. In fact, Wagner’s attempt to play on Week 15 against the young and rising Rams was definitely a contributing factor in that epic beatdown in Seattle. In fact, Wagner and safety Earl Thomas had words via social media following the loss to Los Angeles, which further hints that not only are the Seahawks no longer the class of the NFC, but possibly that Carroll is losing the locker room.

Finally, the Seahawks are getting old. No longer is this roster full of young and super-talented players the kind of team that reminded me of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys, who were the youngest and best team in the NFL 25 years ago. In fact, the 90s Cowboys and 10s Seahawks share a similar timeline with both teams peaking in the third year of a decade,

Dallas winning a Super Bowl in 1993 and Seattle taking their first in 2013. As this is 2017, it’s ironic how the 1997 Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs for the first time since 1991 – and the Seahawks will suffer a similar fate if they lose to the Cowboys on Week 16 or the Arizona Cardinals on Week 17.

The remaining superstars on this ‘Hawks team are all pushing 30 years-old or better, aside from the injured Wagner, who’s 27. Michael Bennett is 32, Avril is 31 and is on injured reserve, Sherman is 29, Chancellor is 29, Thomas is 28 and Wilson is 29. Yes, the NFL window for contention is quite small, especially given the naturally short career for most players and also the rapid turnover of all rosters each year. This team isn’t exactly headed for retirement, but they are over-the-hill already and they won’t keep getting better. These Seahawks have peaked and are now arriving at their late-afternoon sunset.

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