Most winning teams are usually rewarded with a tough schedule for the following season. Fortunately, that's not necessarily the case with Sam Darnold and the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks, who will have a somewhat forgiving 2026 slate.
Mike Macdonald's team will begin its title defense with a Wednesday night home kickoff against the New England Patriots. Oddly enough, they'll play every game of the week but Tuesday this season, and they'll have some interesting matchups.
However, of all the games they might be looking for, their Week 2 road date with the Arizona Cardinals might be near the top of the list. It will probably be the biggest blowout of the season for the defending champions.
The Seattle Seahawks can make a statement in Week 2 versus the Cardinals
While all divisional games are tricky, the 2026 Cardinals will be lucky to win two games this season. And even if they overperform, it's hard to believe they will pose much of a threat against the Seahawks early in the campaign.
The Seahawks will have 11 days of rest between their season opener and that matchup, and they will have shaken off the rust and the early-season jitters by then. The rookies will be more settled in, the newcomers will have more reps with their teammates, and the opposition will likely be underprepared.
That game will be the home opener for a team with no aspirations whatsoever for the 2026 season. It will also be Mike LaFleur's second game as a head coach, and it'll be the perfect opportunity for the Seahawks to send a message and let everybody know that they're not going anywhere.
Also, as a divisional matchup and with the Los Angeles Rams on their toes, they will spare no effort to take care of that game early. They won't want to look down on them and put themselves in an uncomfortable position so early in the campaign.
These teams aren't on the same tier, not even close. The Cardinals are still several moves away from contention, and they will just be walking their first steps with a new coaching staff and a new system, whereas the Seahawks are already a finely-tuned machine on both sides of the field.
The New England Patriots will likely make life difficult for the Seahawks in the season opener, looking to avenge that tough Super Bowl loss. Then, after a complicated matchup, stepping down in class should make this game a cakewalk for Macdonald and company.
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