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The Seattle Seahawks‘ 2025 NFL schedule delivers a compelling mix of storylines, rivalries, and high-stakes matchups. In Year 2 under head coach Mike Macdonald and with Sam Darnold stepping in as the starting quarterback, Seattle enters a season of transition—and opportunity. Four prime-time games, six cross-country trips, and a revamped offense highlight the road ahead. The slate is framed by critical games against the San Francisco 49ers in both Week 1 and Week 18, with a bye strategically placed in Week 8. For a team trying to reestablish dominance in the NFC West, the journey ahead is anything but straightforward.
A New Era Begins with a Familiar Foe
Opening at home on September 7 against the 49ers, Seattle immediately faces a litmus test. It’s a chance to restore a home-field advantage that once struck fear into opponents. With Darnold making his Seahawks debut and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak introducing a fresh system, all eyes will be on how quickly the new offense finds rhythm. San Francisco may have finished last in the division in 2024, but its roster remains dangerous. The home crowd, often drowned out by traveling 49ers fans, must rediscover its voice if Seattle wants to reclaim its Lumen Field fortress.
Metcalf’s Departure and a Quiet Revenge Tour
Week 2 brings a trip to Pittsburgh and a reunion with former Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. While labeled as a “revenge game,” it’s more of a symbolic matchup. Metcalf’s exit from Seattle wasn’t explosive, but his repeated trade requests signaled discontent. Facing his old team with fresh motivation and a new playbook, he’ll be a critical threat to Seattle’s secondary.
More concerning for the Seahawks is the timing. It’s one of four early 10 a.m. Pacific kickoffs—historically a hurdle for West Coast teams. These early slots (Jacksonville, Tennessee, Atlanta, and possibly Carolina) account for a significant travel burden. In total, Seattle will fly more miles than any team except two, an ever-present challenge for a team always playing coast-to-coast.
Prime-Time Proving Grounds
Despite recent roster turnover, Seattle remains relevant nationally, reflected in four prime-time games. These include a Thursday night road clash with Arizona in Week 4 and a Monday night home stand against the Texans in Week 7. The Commanders game in Week 9—featuring Bobby Wagner and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels—serves as the Sunday night spotlight, immediately after the bye. Week 16 brings another Thursday night showdown, this time against the Rams at Lumen Field.
This schedule not only tests Seattle’s consistency but also places its new offensive core under the national microscope. The stretch after the Week 8 bye is especially brutal, with three of five November games on the road, two involving long-distance flights, and three against 2024 playoff teams. Yet this frenetic travel schedule might be Seattle’s best opportunity to showcase a revitalized lineup.
November: The Defining Month
Bold predictions often carry risk, but it’s not far-fetched to expect a 4-1 November record. The team surged after the bye last year, winning four straight while allowing just 13.8 points per game. Macdonald’s methodical approach to self-scouting and adjustments earned high praise in-house, and his fingerprints are all over Seattle’s renewed defensive identity.
The post-bye sequence—Commanders (away), Cardinals (home), Rams (away), Titans (away), and Vikings (home)—could define the playoff push. With no margin for error in a tightly packed NFC West, stacking wins here is essential. The Rams and Seahawks each had 10 wins in 2024, and Arizona wasn’t far behind. Every game in this stretch impacts seeding and postseason survival.
Key Matchups That Could Shift the Narrative
Week 13’s home game against Minnesota offers Darnold a compelling subplot—facing the team he led just months ago. If Seattle is in contention at that point, this could be a defining performance for his redemption arc. Similarly, facing the Texans’ C.J. Stroud on Monday night gives Seattle a chance to slow down one of the league’s brightest young stars. Houston’s defense ranked fifth in EPA last year, making this an important barometer for Kubiak’s offensive design and Darnold’s in-game adaptability. Matchups like these could significantly influence the Seattle Seahawks odds as the playoff race tightens.
Week 9 also marks the return of Bobby Wagner to the Seahawks’ sidelines—this time wearing Commanders gear. His presence on defense and leadership qualities won’t be lost on Seattle fans. That game, wrapped in emotion and legacy, could be a playoff-like environment in early November.
The Final Push and Playoff Implications
Weeks 16 through 18 bring urgency. Seattle hosts the Rams on Thursday night, travels to Carolina for a potential Saturday game on December 27, and finishes the season in San Francisco. These are not just divisional games—they’re potential tiebreakers. The NFC West was the most balanced division last year, and little suggests 2025 will be different.
Many of the Seahawks easier matchups—such as Jacksonville (31st in defensive EPA) and San Francisco (26th)—come early, giving the offense time to build confidence before tougher defensive battles arrive later in the season. Some of these early contests even feature the best NFL game props this season on FanDuel, offering fans another layer of excitement as Seattle builds momentum.
Offense in Transition: Can It Hit the Ground Running?
Seattle’s offensive overhaul goes beyond just the quarterback. As many as seven new starters could be taking the field under a brand-new scheme. Kubiak’s system requires precision and timing, traits that don’t always gel overnight. The early part of the schedule includes top-tier defenses in Pittsburgh and Houston, both within the first seven games. There’s limited runway for a slow start.
Yet, there’s also opportunity. If the offense shows early cohesion, Seattle could realistically be above .500 by the bye. Wins against Tampa Bay and New Orleans, both with middle-of-the-pack defenses, are within reach. The key will be pass protection and establishing rhythm in the run game to keep pressure off Darnold, especially in early kickoffs that can unsettle offensive timing.
What to Watch as the Season Unfolds
Seattle’s over/under win total sits at 8.5. Hitting the over will require near-flawless execution in toss-up games and a strong divisional record. The Seahawks must improve in late-game management and third-down efficiency—areas where they fell short in 2024. Macdonald’s leadership and a rejuvenated defense offer a foundation, but everything hinges on how quickly the new offensive unit clicks.
No international games will ease the travel burden slightly, though six cross-country trips remain. Resilience, depth, and adaptability will be crucial, particularly with late-season cold-weather games in Carolina and possibly San Francisco.
This is a season of transition, but not of lowered expectations. Seattle’s prime-time presence and divisional opportunities suggest that the league still sees them as a playoff contender. If the offense matures and the defense sustains its post-bye momentum from last year, the Seahawks might surprise skeptics and rekindle a winning identity in the Pacific Northwest.
