Another year, another year as a favorite to make it to the Super Bowl (which is in Houston this year, if you must know). It's something Seattle sports fans have never been used to, being favorites to win it all year in and year out.

Despite being favorites however, questions still surround the Seahawks that could be obstacles in getting to Super Bowl LI. There's the always obvious theme of possible injuries that could derail a season, but what else could go wrong that would influence 2016's outcome? Let's take a look.

Can Thomas Rawls repeat?

Thomas Rawls impressed in the preseason in 2015, and produced at the same rate once he went against the no. 1's in the regular season. Heading into 2016 though, he's faced with two questions: Was it just an aberration? And will his fractured ankle affect him this season? Both are reasonable questions, and all of Seattle is hoping the answer to both is no, especially in the first year post-Marshawn.

Who will be the no. 2 QB and RB?

Behind Rawls and Russell Wilson are huge questions. Russell has had a good track record thus far of staying healthy, but Rawls is coming off an injury as mentioned. Backups at both positions are inexperienced and/or largely untested. Christine Michael could be the backup at running back, but the only thing he is consistent in is being inconsistent. Other than Michael the Hawks have two rookies, although at running back experience isn't always needed. From what keeps getting written in the papers, draft picks C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins have looked good in camp, but Michael was being touted as if he was a future Hall of Famer not too long ago by Seahawks brass, so who knows how good the young bloods actually are.

At quarterback however, we really cannot afford Russell to go down for any semblance of significant time. Trevone Boykin may be able to step in, although it's probably best that we never know if he can or not.

Will the offensive line be able to protect Russ?

Russell Okung is gone, which is huge for Russ' blindside. On the right J.R. Sweezy left for what he thought to be greener pastures in Tampa Bay. First round pick Germain Ifedi is said to have impressed coaches in the minicamps thus far. One way to look at it is Okung was down for the home stretch of last season and the offense kept humming along, so it may be that Darrell Bevell has put together a scheme that can work around the line's deficiencies.

Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris