Seahawks game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

The Seattle Seahawks went all the way in 2025, riding a surprisingly dominant regular season all the way through the playoffs to a Super Bowl title. Now, Mike Macdonald and company are focused on doing it once again in 2026.The Seahawks underwent some change this offseason, losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, among others. However, Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are back to lead the offense on what they hope is another very successful season.Now, the Seahawks know what the path back to the postseason will look like for them after the 2026 NFL schedule was released on Thursday night. How will they fare? Let's dive into each matchup.Week 1 vs. Patriots (Wednesday, Sept. 9): WinKirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe Seahawks dismantled the Patriots with their defensive line and running game in Super Bowl LX, and New England simply didn't do enough to improve on the offensive line to fix anything in that matchup. Seattle should have Drake Maye under duress again and get to 1-0 on the season.Week 2 at Cardinals (Sunday, Sept. 20): WinThe Cardinals may very well be the worst team in the NFL this season, and even at home in Week 2, Jacoby Brissett and a new offense under Mike LaFleur will likely be overwhelmed by the Seahawks' defense. Seattle should cruise to 2-0 here.Week 3 at Commanders (Sunday, Sept. 27): WinThe Commanders are also looking for a bounce-back in 2026 after a down year in 2025. However, even after drafting Sonny Styles in the top 10, Washington still has a ton of holes on defense that Seattle should be able to take advantage of. The Seahawks have a lot of ways to win this one, and they will do just that.Week 4 vs. Chargers (Sunday, Oct. 4): LossThe Chargers' offense will be on of the most interesting things to watch this year with Mike McDaniel calling the plays, and the defense should still be good enough to take advantage of a Seahawks offense that will still be finding its way after losing Klint Kubiak. This is also a lookahead spot for Seattle with the 49ers coming up in Week 5, so LA can take advantage.Week 5 vs. 49ers (Sunday, Oct. 11): WinSan Francisco and Seattle have one of the most heated rivalries in football, and the Niners will be playing with their hair on fire after the Seahawks handed them not one, but two losses to end their season in 2025. However, the home crowd will help the Seahawks over the line in this game.Week 6 at Broncos (Thursday, Oct. 15): LossThis is a tough spot for the Seahawks on the road, at altitude, on a short week against a great defense. Denver has a ton of continuity back this year and should hit the ground running early in the season on both sides of the ball. This feels like a loss for the Seahawks early in the year.Week 7 vs. Chiefs (Sunday, Oct. 25): WinMark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThis is the return of Kenneth Walker III to Lumen Field after he went to Kansas City in free agency. The Chiefs are due for a bounce back this season after a disastrous 2025, but the offensive weaponry is still not explosive enough to get a road win against a defense like Mike Macdonald's. Seattle gets a close win here.Week 8 vs. Bears (Monday, Nov. 2): WinThe Bears are expecting to be Super Bowl contenders this season after nearly making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season. While Chicago will be able to hang with Seattle, their weakness at center against the interior offensive line of the Seahawks is too much to overcome here.Week 9 vs. Cardinals (Sunday, Nov. 8): WinAfter a very difficult stretch with the bye on the horizon, this could be a letdown spot for the Seahawks. However, they're in front of the home crowd and against a team that they should be able to beat. Seattle takes this one in a game that's closer than expected.Week 10 at Raiders (Sunday, Nov. 15): WinWho will be starting for the Raiders at quarterback in this game? Will it be Kirk Cousins? Fernando Mendoza? Either way, Klint Kubiak's reunion with his old team will be a difficult one, as Las Vegas is just a little undermanned for this matchup. Seattle heads into the bye on a four-game win streak.Week 11: BYEWeek 12 at 49ers (Sunday, Nov. 29): WinSteven Bisig-Imagn ImagesGetting this game off of a bye helps the Seahawks, who should be rested and have a chance to gamelan appropriately for what should be an elite 49ers offense. While San Francisco will be hungry for revenge, the Seahawks have the advantage of the schedule here and get another win.Week 13 vs. Cowboys (Monday, Dec. 7): LossThe Cowboys get hype every year, but there is a chance that they have the best offense in football next season. Dallas will rely heavily on the pass, which could help them find some success against a Seattle defense that is lacking a bit of depth behind their elite top-end talent. The Cowboys steal a win in a barnburner on Monday Night Football.Week 14 vs. Giants (Sunday, Dec. 13): WinThe Giants should be much improved this season under John Harbaugh, maybe even enough to compete for a wild card spot in the NFC. However, a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart coming into a hostile environment against an elite defense is a formula for disaster. The Seahawks roll here.Week 15 at Eagles (Saturday, Dec. 19): LossThe Eagles' offense will have its fair share of problems this season, but the defense will still be elite with Vic Fangio calling the shots. Going on the road late in the season on a short week with the question marks that Seattle has on offense is a formula for a loss.Week 16 Christmas Day vs. Rams (Friday, Dec. 25): WinKevin Ng-Imagn ImagesThe Seahawks are in prime time on Christmas Day against the Rams in a battle that could have major playoff seeding implications and ramifications at the top of the NFC West. The Seahawks get the win in the first matchup between these two Super Bowl contenders before they square off again to close the regular season.Week 17 at Panthers (Sunday, Jan. 3): WinThe Seahawks played in Carolina in Week 17 last year, and their defense suffocated Bryce Young and company. Carolina has improved its roster a lot during this offseason, but this defense is still too stiff a test for the Panthers in 2026. Seattle shuts down the Panthers for another quality road win against a team in playoff contention here.Week 18 at Rams (Date TBD): LossJust two weeks after playing the Rams on Christmas, the Seahawks rematch their division rival in Week 18 to close out the regular season. This will be a Sunday Night Football candidate during the Week 18 flex schedule and very well could decide who wins the NFC West. However, the revenge factor combined with the home-field advantage gives the Rams the edge.Final Record: 12-5The Seattle Seahawks went all the way in 2025, riding a surprisingly dominant regular season all the way through the playoffs to a Super Bowl title. Now, Mike Macdonald and company are focused on doing it once again in 2026. The Seahawks underwent some change this offseason, losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, among others.