The Seattle Seahawks need a win in Week 3. This isn't because the season would be over if the team lost, of course, but that early in the season, when a team is expected to beat a team, they need to. The New Orleans Saints aren't good, after all.
But what could keep the Saints in the game is if Seattle isn't able to play its best players. This might be the case because the Seahawks' final injury report ahead of the Saints game is not good, especially in the secondary. Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, and Coby Bryant need to be great because there isn't much behind them.
Devon Witherspoon, who missed Week 2 because of a knee injury, is listed as doubtful for Week 3, too. He isn't alone. Safety Julian Love is also doubtful with a hamstring issue. Rookie Nick Emmanwori suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and could miss a couple of more games. He's doubtful, too.
The Seattle Seahawks could be missing many key secondary players in Week 3
As good as Kenneth Walker III was in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he will likely need to be again in Week 3. Zach Charbonnet is doubtful with a foot injury. George Holani might need to get a bunch of carries to rest Walker, but at least Holani has been promising in the preseason.
2025 draft pick Damien Martinez could be elevated from the practice squad to help fill out the running back room. Going into a game with just two running backs would be a huge mistake.
Of course, all of the players listed as doubtful (no Seattle Seahawks are listed as officially out) could play, but are not likely to. If so many members of the secondary miss the game, and Love and Witherspoon are the best players of the group, then the pass rush is going to have to continue to be fantastic.
Or maybe the Saints' lack of being able to be productive passing the ball is still fine for Seattle. The elite defensive line of Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, and Jarran Reed could shut down New Orleans.
Offensively, the Seahawks are in good shape even if Charbonnet misses the game. Every other player is full-go. If quarterback Sam Darnold can lead his unit to 24 points, that should be more than enough to get the Week 3 victory.