The Seattle Seahawks are by far the best team in the National Football League right now, and it isn't even close.

The team is well balanced on both sides of the ball with Richard Sherman leading the way on defense and Marshawn Lynch pounding the rock on offense. The Seahawks led the entire league in rushing last season, and quarterback Russell Wilson is one of the best in the game today. The Seahawks offense got even better after they traded for tight end Jimmy Graham. Although Byron Maxwell is no longer on the roster, the Seahawks defense is still elite.

With the New England Patriots losing so many key defensive players (Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork, Brandon Browner), and Tom Brady suspended four games, Seattle's biggest obstacle is behind them. Still, the Seahawks have to focus on the NFC.

So, which NFC team poses the biggest threat against the Seahawks heading into this upcoming season?

The Green Bay Packers were the No. 2 seed in the NFC last year, and they have an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. The Packers are always in contention for a championship as long as Rodgers is behind center. There's only one issue with the Packers, and that's mismatch. The Packers just don't match up well against the Seahawks, having lost the last three consecutive games to them. Last year the Packers blew a 16-0 lead to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.

Wilson is 3-0 against Rodgers in his career, including the playoffs.

The most interesting matchup could very well be the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys defeated the Seahawks in Week 6 last season, which was the only home loss for Pete Carroll's crew last year. America's Team ran through the Seahawks defensive line last year, but the Cowboys no longer have DeMarco Murray on their roster. Still, the Cowboys have an elite passing attack with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten leading the way. The Cowboys defense has also been improving.

There's other good teams in the NFC like the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals, but they're just not powerful enough yet. The Cardinals have far too many issues on offense year in and year out, and Carson Palmer can't stay healthy. As good as the Panthers defense can play, the reality is, they were just a 7-8-1 squad last season. As for the Lions, they haven't won a single playoff game since 1991.

The San Francisco 49ers used to give the Seahawks big issues in the past, but they've experienced a terrible offseason. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is now at Michigan, and it feels like the entire defense has retired. On top that, running back Frank Gore is now with the Indianapolis Colts.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but there's no doubt that the Seahawks are the best team in the league right now. We haven't seen a team make it to three consecutive Super Bowls since the 1990s Buffalo Bills, who lost four straight championships. If the Seahawks can once again clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC and get home-field advantage, they should be playing in February for a third straight season.

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