In the Spotlight: Seattle Seahawks Begin Super Bowl Title Defense

The Seattle Seahawks enter 2026 in unfamiliar territory: as the team everyone is trying to knock off. Seattle went 14-3 in 2025, won the NFC West and earned the conference’s No. 1 seed before beating San Francisco and Los Angeles in the playoffs. The Seahawks completed the run with a 29-13 victory over New England in Super Bowl LX, securing the second championship in franchise history. Seattle has already started its title defense with another victory over the Patriots. The Seahawks rallied from a 10-0 deficit Wednesday to win 13-10, moving to 1-0 despite losing starting quarterback Sam Darnold to a hip injury.

What to Watch

Darnold’s health immediately becomes Seattle’s biggest storyline. Testing showed no fracture, but his timetable remains uncertain. Drew Lock replaced him against New England and completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. Seattle still has one of the NFL’s premier receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had eight catches for 122 yards and the game-tying 45-yard touchdown Wednesday. Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed give the offense additional receiving options. Rookie first-round running back Jadarian Price also takes on an important role following Kenneth Walker III’s departure for Kansas City. Defensively, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Julian Love and DeMarcus Lawrence headline a group that powered last season’s championship run. Seattle also retained cornerback Josh Jobe and linebacker Drake Thomas during the offseason.

Betting Outlook

Despite winning the Super Bowl, Seattle entered the season behind the Rams in NFC West futures. DraftKings listed the Seahawks at +215 to win the NFC West as of Sept. 1. Seattle was +600 to win the NFC and +1200 to repeat as Super Bowl champion. The Seahawks’ preseason win total was 10.5, with Over 10.5 at -115 and Under at -105. Seattle was also -225 to make the playoffs. Those numbers were posted before the opening victory over New England and may shift as the season progresses.

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 14-3; NFC West champions; Super Bowl LX champions.
• Key players to watch: Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II.
• Expected starting QB: Sam Darnold, health permitting; Drew Lock is the primary backup.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: RB Emanuel Wilson, first-round RB Jadarian Price, second-round S Bud Clark, CB Terrion Arnold and veteran CB Trevon Diggs on the practice squad. Seattle also retained Rashid Shaheed, Josh Jobe and Drake Thomas.
• Betting odds to win NFC West: +215.
• Betting odds to win NFC: +600.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +1200.
• Win totals over/under: 10.5 — Over -115 / Under -105.

2026-27 Seattle Seahawks Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 9	vs. New England — W, 13-10	Final	NBC
2	Sept. 20	at Arizona	4:25 p.m.	FOX
3	Sept. 27	at Washington	1:00 p.m.	FOX
4	Oct. 4	vs. LA Chargers	4:25 p.m.	CBS
5	Oct. 11	vs. San Francisco	4:25 p.m.	FOX
6	Oct. 15	at Denver	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
7	Oct. 25	vs. Kansas City	8:20 p.m.	NBC
8	Nov. 2	vs. Chicago	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
9	Nov. 8	vs. Arizona	4:25 p.m.	FOX
10	Nov. 15	at Las Vegas	4:05 p.m.	CBS
11	—	BYE	—	—
12	Nov. 29	at San Francisco	4:25 p.m.	FOX
13	Dec. 7	vs. Dallas	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
14	Dec. 13	vs. NY Giants	4:25 p.m.	FOX
15	Dec. 19	at Philadelphia	5:00 p.m.	FOX
16	Dec. 25	vs. LA Rams	8:15 p.m.	FOX
17	Jan. 3	at Carolina	1:00 p.m.	FOX
18	TBD	at LA Rams	TBD	TBD

Seattle’s schedule becomes especially interesting late in the season, with road games against San Francisco and Philadelphia followed by two meetings with the Rams over the final three weeks.