The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2025 NFL season with a blend of fresh energy and looming challenges. Year two under head coach Mike Macdonald and the debut season of quarterback Sam Darnold signal a new direction for the franchise.
With a schedule that features six cross-country flights, four prime-time appearances, and two clashes against the San Francisco 49ers to bookend the season, the Seahawks face a proving ground from September to January. Here’s a deep dive into the key matchups, travel demands, and turning points that could define Seattle’s 2025 campaign.
A New Era Begins Against a Familiar Foe
There’s no easing into the 2025 season for Seattle. The home opener on September 7 against the San Francisco 49ers will serve as an immediate test for Darnold and the Seahawks’ rebuilt offense. San Francisco’s fan base travels well, which means the Seahawks will need to reclaim the Lumen Field edge that once made it one of the league’s most intimidating venues.
This game also marks the debut of Klint Kubiak’s new offensive scheme — one that aims to reboot a unit that underperformed down the stretch last year. The offensive line and pass catchers will be adjusting on the fly, but an early matchup against a 49ers defense that ranked 26th in EPA last season could be just what Seattle needs to find its rhythm. Early performance in this high-stakes opener could also have a notable impact on the Seattle Seahawks odds as the season unfolds.
The Pittsburgh Trip and Metcalf Reunion
Week 2 delivers one of the most emotionally charged contests of the season. The Seahawks head to Pittsburgh for a matchup steeped in personal history. DK Metcalf, once the centerpiece of Seattle’s receiving corps, will face his former team just months after being traded. Metcalf’s frustration with the organization, marked by multiple trade requests in recent years, lends genuine heat to this “revenge game”.
The Steelers’ defense finished seventh in EPA last year, making it a major early challenge for Darnold. It’s also the first of several 10 a.m. Pacific Time kickoffs — a time slot that has historically posed problems for West Coast teams.
November: The Defining Stretch
Circle November as the crucible of Seattle’s season. The Seahawks face a daunting five-game stretch starting at Week 9 after their Week 8 bye: at Washington (SNF), home against Arizona, at Los Angeles, at Tennessee, and home against Minnesota. Three of those games are on the road, two are cross-country flights, and three are against teams that made the playoffs in 2024.
Yet there’s reason for optimism. Last season, Macdonald earned high marks for his post-bye adjustments, sparking a four-game win streak that revived playoff hopes. If Seattle can capture a favorable post-bye resurgence, going 4-1 again in this stretch is within reach. It would also put them in a position to control their postseason fate heading into the final weeks.
Prime Time Proving Ground
Seattle earned four prime-time slots for 2025, matching their total from Macdonald’s first season. These aren’t just showcases — they’re statements about the franchise’s continued relevance on the national stage, even as former cornerstones like Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll, and Metcalf move on.
The Seahawks host Houston in Week 7 on Monday Night Football, facing C.J. Stroud and a Texans squad that ranked fourth in defensive EPA. It’s a tough matchup, but one that will reveal just how far Darnold and Kubiak’s offense has come.
Week 9’s trip to Washington pits Seattle against rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and legendary linebacker Bobby Wagner, now donning burgundy and gold. Wagner’s presence adds nostalgia, but his defensive instincts are still very much a threat. For fans tracking upcoming NFL games and props, these matchups are more than just schedule highlights — they’re pivotal barometers for Seattle’s playoff hopes.
Add in Thursday night appearances against division rivals Arizona (Week 4) and the Rams (Week 16), and Seattle’s prime-time games aren’t just marquee matchups — they’re essential hurdles in a playoff pursuit.
Long Flights, Tight Margins
Seattle’s yearly travel burden remains among the NFL’s heaviest. With six games back east and no international assignment in 2025, the Seahawks still rank third in total miles flown. The league schedule handed them at least four early kickoffs, with a possible fifth depending on the final time slot for Week 17 in Carolina.
These road challenges make execution and conditioning critical. Games in Jacksonville (Week 6), Atlanta (Week 14), and Tennessee (Week 12) will test the team’s ability to start fast and manage fatigue. Winning two out of those four early games would be considered a success given the logistical demands.
Familiar Faces, New Stakes
Beyond Metcalf and Wagner, there’s another intriguing reunion on the calendar. Week 13 brings the Minnesota Vikings to Seattle and with them, Darnold’s former team. It’s his first chance to face the franchise where he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024 before faltering late in the year. If there’s any lingering sting from his unceremonious exit, this could be a redemption spotlight.
Late in the season, division matchups against the Rams and 49ers loom large. Seattle and Los Angeles both won 10 games last year, with Arizona close behind at eight. The NFC West could again come down to the wire. The final three weeks include the Rams (Week 16), the potentially critical trip to Carolina (Week 17), and a finale in San Francisco. These aren’t just games — they are the gateway to the postseason.
Measuring Expectations
Some oddsmakers have the season over/under win total for the Seahawks in the 2025 NFL season at 8.5 wins. That feels like a conservative projection for a team with playoff-caliber talent on defense and a schedule ranked as the 12th-easiest in the NFL (2024 opponents posted a combined .474 win percentage). However, the unpredictability surrounding Darnold and the remodeled offense may justify the cautious outlook.
The early schedule does them no favors. Four of the first seven opponents either made the playoffs or ranked in the top 10 defensively last year. Yet there’s opportunity within that gauntlet. San Francisco and Jacksonville’s defenses were bottom-tier in efficiency, giving Seattle a chance to steal wins while still finding its offensive identity.
What Will Define This Team?
Seattle’s 2025 season hinges on three things: how quickly the offense jells, whether Darnold can lead without pressing, and whether the defense can recapture its post-bye dominance from last year. With minimal margin for error in the NFC West, there’s no time for slow starts or mental lapses, especially in those early time slots.
There’s quiet confidence around Macdonald’s leadership. If history repeats, the post-bye turnaround could arrive right on cue, and Seattle’s playoff drought could come to an end.
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