The Seattle Seahawks host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in Week 7 at Lumen Field. Head coach Mike Macdonald's team needs a victory after losing three of its last four games, but obviously beating the unbeaten Chiefs won't be easy.
In many ways, one of the key matchups to watch will be the offensive brilliance of KC coach Andy Reid against Macdonald's genius on defense. Whoever wins that battle could win the game.
As for what might happen? Some ideas are listed here, but the season will absolutely feel different if the Seahawks are 4-3 after Week 7 than if they are 3-4.
Seattle Seahawks lets the anger out on the Chiefs in this fearless Week 7 forecast
1. Kenneth Walker won't break the Seahawks astonishing streak
Has Seattle missed Kenneth Walker this season? Most definitely. One reason that quarterback Sam Darnold has struggled so badly is that he has had an inconsistent running game trying to support him.
Interestingly, Seattle didn't offer Walker, who was the Super Bowl MVP last season, a new contract in free agency. He signed with the Chiefs and has been the best running back in the league through six games, with an NFL-leading 665 rushing yards. How does Mike Macdonald feel about that? Well...
"I love Ken," Macdonald said. "I thoroughly enjoyed him being on our football team. We’ve had some great one-on-one conversations. I feel like we have a great relationship. I respect the heck out of him. I’m happy for him."
The coach won't be happy if the running back breaks the streak of 35 straight games the Seahawks have gone without allowing a rusher to get 100 yards or more. Walker won't get that much in Week 7, but he will come close.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will only have 40 yards receiving
While JSN is clearly a different kind of receiver and arguably the best in the NFL, the Chiefs have been fantastic against wideouts through their first five games. They've allowed zero touchdowns to wide receivers and a league-low 47 catches.
Ultimately, an underwhelming game by Smith-Njigba could be a good thing. It would force Sam Darnold to target other players, especially tight end AJ Barner.
Kansas City hasn't been as good against tight ends, so this could be an excellent opportunity for Barner. The Chiefs have allowed 39 receptions to TEs, fourth-most in the league, and four touchdown catches, which is fifth-most.
3. Zach Charbonnet will play but be limited
The running back being active for his first game this season after returning from a knee injury suffered in the playoffs last season and then getting a bunch of carries seems unlikely. He should play in Week 7, but maybe be used more in short-yardage situations.
That would still be a boon to a rushing attack that has been struggling, especially on third down and in the red zone. Seattle is 29th in third-down conversions at 32.4 percent, and 15th in red zone conversions at 57.1 percent, but that is far off the pace from even No. 14, the Denver Broncos, at 61.1 percent.
Charbonnet will probably get between 8 and 10 carries and about 35 rushing yards. The hope is that some of that comes near the Chiefs' goal line.
4. Rashid Shaheed will return a punt for a touchdown
The re-signed free agent has not had a good start to the season after being a season-altering addition midway through last year. He is obviously still capable of being elite at returning kicks and punts, though.
The Chiefs have only allowed four punts to be returned, but they have allowed 15.3 yards per return, the most in the NFL. If the Seattle Seahawks win the game, they might need some excellence in the third phase of the game, just as happened many times in 2025. That should come in the form of a punt return for a TD from Shaheed.
Add us as a preferred source on Google