The Seattle Seahawks got back on track with a relatively easy win over the Arizona Cardinals, but face a bigger challenge now against the Las Vegas Raiders. It's not as if they're facing a great team, like the 2025 Seahawks, but it will certainly present its own challenges. So, who do we trust entering Week 10?
One of the biggest challenges is that the Las Vegas head coach is quite familiar with Seattle's defensive schemes. After all, Klint Kubiak's offense practiced against the Dark Side every week last year. Of course, the Seahawks are equally familiar with Kubiak's schemes - not that he hasn't thrown several wrinkles into the mix.
The 2026 Raiders offense isn't the 2025 Seahawks unit, so that familiarity only goes so far. Likewise, Seattle's defense has changed - so far, not exactly for the better. Sure, Las Vegas is just 4-5, but let's face it, Seattle is only one game better at 5-4. These are the players I trust to take the Seahawks to 6-4, along with a few I'm not sure I'd trust to wash the dishes.
The Seattle Seahawks alphas
Devon Witherspoon, CB
We haven't written a lot about Spoon so far this season. He hasn't had any of his signature plays - not yet - but considering he hasn't had a single interception or sack yet, he's been balling out all season. Before the season, NFL executives ranked him fourth among all cornerbacks. To some extent, his versatility cut his stats, but that's what truly makes him so valuable for Seattle.
Byron Murphy II, DT
He had another great showing in Week 9 with two tackles for a loss, a quarterback hit, and a sack. Double teams merely delay the inevitable. As Kyle Rote first said decades ago: "You cannot stop a great player like Jim Brown; you can only hope to contain him." Different side of the ball, same result.
The mainstays
AJ Barner, TE
We finally got the full display of the Barn Show in all its glory in Week 9. He scored both of Seattle's touchdowns and proved to be the solution to their woes on third-down conversions as well. He did have another dropped pass, and he needs to clean that up. But Barner has 8 carries on the season and has converted seven of them to move the chains. The other run went for the score. He's good.
Zach Charbonnet, RB
Speaking of running, Charbonnet hit his stride in his second week back from the injury list. 77 yards on 16 carries and three broken tackles gave the Seahawks the running game they've missed too often this season. And if not for a questionable penalty, he would have hit the century mark and had about a dozen broken tackles. Zach is back, baby. Zach is back.
The fast riser
Jadarian Price, RB
Price may not quite be at the level of Charbs yet, but he's on the cusp. No one would be surprised to see him crank out a 100-yard game. Well, no one in Seattle. He only had 24 yards rushing last week, but he added 54 through the air, becoming the first guy without the initials JSN to lead the team in receiving yards this year. Add 56 yards in kickoff returns, and Price is a true triple threat.
The proving ground
Josh Jones, T
Jones will get his third start of the season, subbing for the injured Charles Cross. He's got a tough assignment, as he's likely to be facing Maxx Crosby all day. Jones has only allowed four pressures this season and no sacks. The stakes are higher now, but I believe he'll be up to the task.
The slipping grip
Sam Darnold, QB
Darnold misses another week, and if Drew Lock plays another mistake-free game, the calls will be even louder to keep Ginger Cuz on the bench. I'm still not ready for that, and neither are the Seahawks. But if Darnold comes back and looks shaky against the Niners in a must-win Week 12 tilt, all bets are off.
The afterthoughts
Every WR without the number 11 on their back
Don't give me that look. I'm not the guy who's targeted this entire group (outside of JSN) just 83 times. That sounds like a lot, until you remember the Seahawks have thrown to Smith-Njigba 99 times. At least Cooper Kupp's targets have resulted in a good passer rating (104.8).
Even Coop is underachieving this season. While I still think he could break out, the stats show otherwise for Tory Horton. His passer rating of 66.8 is bad, but Rashid Shaheed's is 41.4. That's worse than a season of Cooper Rush under center. This group has been a major disappointment.
Yeah, I know: where the heck is Jaxon Smith-Njigba this week? Listen, if you need me to tell you he's the most trustworthy player on this team, I can't help you. Turn in your throwback gear and go root for the Chargers. They could use the support.
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