There are variations; but that's the standard formula. There are especially variations b/c the NFL is insistent upon giving lesser division winners home field advantage like the Cardinals got when they were 8-8 and then made it to the Super Bowl. It's pretty retarded. That said; that's still the standard formula. You can't over think it going forward because there are otherwise too many possibilities. For instance; could the Niners go 14-2 and the Seahawks go 13-3? Sure. But it's highly unlikely.
The 9ers went backwards this off season in thier secondary and made a small step forward in thier offense with FA Boldin from the Ravens. They will be more susceptible to a good pass attack and the opportunity to get yards fast in big chunks resulting in high scores.
The Seahawks built thier team to beat the best in the NFC West. The team that demolished SF 42 to 13 in thier last meeting made huge improvements in receiving (Percy Harvin from Minnisota) and several aquisitions on the D-Line including one of the best d-backs in FA to add to our all pros in the defensive backfield. It will be VERY difficult to throw ANY passes against the Hawks let alone score many points through the air. A couple of our new FAs are run stopping specialists. These additions are welcomed into the fold of the number one scoring defense last season. This may very well be the most talented defense ever assembled to play on a football field EVER!
Then there is Russell Wilson. He will definitely not have a sophmore slump. He will be even better than last season...A LOT better if anyone can imagine it. His ability to extend plays is already been the best that ever was as performed by a rookie.
26 TDs with 10 ints last year. Payton Manning's rookie season produced
26 TDs with 28 interceptions. Wilson completely destroyed the rookie stats for a first season. With one of the leagues best recievers, Harvin, in the stable it will be damn near impossible to stop Wilson and our corps of receivers this year.
Looking at the 2013 Seahawks on paper I honestly will be surprised if we don't go undefeated thruout the entire season and playoffs including the Super Bowl.
I know that sounds rediculous from any other fans standpoint but the team that steamrolled every team in the last half of the 2012 season got significantly better in the off season. Call me crazy but I stand firm in my prediction. Watch out NFL. The Seahawks are for real and they are looking to kick the asses of any team that gets in thier way to a record breaking season and the winning of the Lombardi Trophy.
Go Hawks!