Seahawks at Steelers – Week 2
- Date: September 14
- Time: 10 a.m. PT
- Channel: Fox
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium
I think this game sets up beautifully for the Seahawks to bounce back from a disappointing Week 1. Despite having to travel cross country for an early start, they are taking on a team that Mike Macdonald knows very well.
The Hawks were an excellent road team under Macdonald in 2024. They should not be intimidated by going into a hostile environment against an opponent who is always in the playoff hunt.
This year, Pittsburgh does not appear to have the offensive firepower to worry a team like Seattle. The Steelers aren’t running away from anyone. Either Mason Rudolph will be under center, or else a potentially rusty Aaron Rodgers will be taking snaps.
Getting Pittsburgh early is a good thing this year. If it is indeed Rodgers, he has shown he is not willing to put in the offseason work to get off to a fast start. By the end of the year, Mike Tomlin might have his team humming, but early on, they shouldn’t be nearly as formidable. This will be a tough, close game – the kind Macdonald will be prepared for,
Prediction: Win (1-1)
Given the intricacies of playoff seeding, you’d rather beat San Fran and lose to Pittsburgh, but if Seattle manages a split in the first two games, it won’t matter very much. The future will be wide open. Plus, Seattle will have beaten DK Metcalf.
Seahawks vs. Saints – Week 3
- Date: September 21
- Time: 1:05 p.m. PT
- Channel: CBS
- Venue: Luman Field
New Orleans has a decent roster and, as of now, no quarterback. We saw last year how this played out. With Derek Carr early on, they looked like a real surprise team. Once Carr went down, the Saints fell off the table.
To be fair, the Saints had a number of other injuries that decimated them. That is not likely to happen again. But here’s what we know. There will be no Derek Carr. Unless they make some kind of move, either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener will be their starting quarterback. They are not nearly good enough to win with that level of play from the QB.
Seattle’s defense should have a field day against whoever is calling signals for New Orleans. They even get the extra boost from having Kubiak – who served as the Saints offensive coordinator last year – on staff. This game almost looks too easy at this point and if Seattle doesn’t play well in weeks one and two, they could be pressing. But I don’t think that’s very likely.
Prediction: Win (2-1)
For a team with as many changes as Seattle will have in 2025, getting off to a good start will be essential and should pay off down the road.
Seahawks at Cardinals – Week 4
- Date: September 25
- Time: 5:15 p.m. PT
- Channel: Prime
- Venue: State Farm Stadium
The Seahawks have not lost to Arizona since 2021 and I don’t really expect things to change much this year. Under Jonathan Gannon, Arizona is taking small steps to field a more consistently competitive team, but they still have a long way to go.
Last year, when Seattle was struggling even in games that they won, the Cardinals didn’t pose much of a threat. Arizona has a handful of good players, but until Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. become dynamic game-changers, there is not a lot that Arizona can do that will scare the Hawks.
Going on the road on a short week is always a challenge. Macdonald needs to manage this situation so his team is both rested and prepared. But again, the schedule isn’t too bad. Getting this travel challenge out of the way early when the squad should still be relatively fresh, will help.
Prediction: Win (3-1)
Getting a divisional road win is important to balance out the opening day loss at home to San Fran.
Seahawks vs. Buccaneers – Week 5
- Date: October 5
- Time: 1:05 p.m. PT
- Channel: CBS
- Venue: Lumen Field
The Hawks get a mini bye and face a team that is travelling cross country in week five. I don’t think it matters. Tampa is capable of playing very good football and I expect they will be ready for the trip.
Tampa is solid across the board. Bucky Irving developed into a quality running back last season and if Chris Godwin is healthy, they will have a potent collection of pass catchers highlighted by the ageless Mike Evans.
Baker Mayfield and company will challenge the Hawks’ secondary. On defense, Vita Vea and the rest of the Bucs’ front seven will make it tough for Seattle’s offense to run the ball. That will put a lot of the onus on Darnold.
This just doesn’t look like a good matchup for Seattle.
Prediction: Loss (3-2)
There was a time when the Hawks had a very strong home field advantage. But last year, they stumbled to a 3-6 home record. That may have been a minor anomaly, but I think it bears watching.