Seahawks Power Rankings: Why Pete Carroll Should Be Appreciated

Pete Carroll is a big reason why the Seattle Seahawks have high expectations going into the season.

The Seattle Seahawks are opening the season with high expectations as they welcome the Los Angeles Rams to town on Sunday.

The Seahawks have much higher expectations than they did a year ago, when many expected them to be among the worst teams in the league. However, a playoff appearance and one promising draft class later and the Seahawks are being pegged as one of the better teams in the NFC.

Sports Illustrated placed the Seahawks at No. 12 in its power rankings before Week 1.

"In a global sense, it’s hard not to appreciate what is happening with Pete Carroll now," SI writes. "Here’s a boomer who insisted that his way was the right way, was chastised for it for the better part of a decade, and is now riding out his golden years getting to say, “I told you so.” This would be like if an entire family came to their grandparent en masse, solemnly bowed their heads and said: “You’re right. We shouldn’t have ever signed up for those credit cards. Hard work is really the only thing that matters. We made a funny face and it did stick that way. Tucked in shirts into jeans are a classic look that won’t soon fade away.” Imagine how happy that would make the grandparent. Carroll has 70,000 people doing it every Sunday."

Pete Carroll has been a huge part of Seattle's success for over a decade, and his coaching job last season stands as one of his best ever. Now, the roster has some extra additions, and Carroll could be in line for Coach of the Year consideration if he continues along the trajectory that began a year ago.

The Seahawks and Rams kickoff Sunday at 1:25 p.m. at Lumen Field.