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Seattle was off in Week 8 due to their bye, having come into Week 9 at 5-2 overall. Prior to the break, they defeated the Houston Texans 27-19 in Week 7 as slight home favorites. That win extended their road resilience and reinforced their defensive robustness. (vegasinsider.com) Seattle’s momentum has been building; their defense is among the league’s stingiest, especially in terms of yards per play and third-down conversion rate. Their offense is balanced: Sam Darnold managing the short to intermediate passing game effectively, Jaxon Smith-Njigba racking up yards and generating separation, and Kenneth Walker III providing late-down bursts. Efficiency metrics show Seattle is top-10 in EPA/play overall, with strong success rates in early down run/pass splits. Their red-zone offense scores touchdowns at an above-average clip. That said, injuries at WR (Kupp, Young, Bobo) and concerns in the secondary (Julian Love’s setback) could slightly blunt their passing ceiling.
Injuries
Offense: - Julian Love – S – Out (hamstring) (seahawks.com) - Eric Saubert – TE – Out (calf) (seahawks.com) - Dareke Young – WR – Out (quadricep) (seahawks.com) - Jake Bobo – WR – Limited (Achilles) (fieldgulls.com) - Cooper Kupp – WR – Limited (heel/hamstring) (fieldgulls.com) - Derick Hall – LB – Limited (oblique) (seahawks.com) Defense: - Devon Witherspoon – CB – Full (knee) (seahawks.com) - Jarran Reed – DT – Limited (wrist) (seahawks.com)
Coaching & Scheme
Mike Macdonald leads Seattle using a defensive identity built around aggressive, situational flexibility. They mix pressures with disguised blitzes, especially on early downs, which has led to favorable down-and-distance scenarios. In coverage, they rotate between Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells, leveraging Witherspoon’s speed in man schemes and utilizing deep zones to bait intermediate crosses. Offensively, OC Rich Scangarello (if in that role) utilizes play designs that stress the defense horizontally—short passes, creative use of motion and pre-snap movement, and RPOs. Walker’s ability to pound it on early downs forces defensive fronts to respect the run, opening play‐action for intermediate throws, particularly targeting Smith-Njigba. Seattle’s situational football—third-down conversion and red-zone efficiency—is among the league’s best.
Matchup Analysis
Seattle’s defensive strength aligns well against Washington’s offensive limitations. With McLaurin out and backups under pressure, Washington will likely live and die by Deebo Samuel and schematic advantages in run/pass balance. Seattle can tighten the box against the run, knowing Washington’s deep threats are compromised, and dare linebackers and safeties to cover Samuel one-on-one. If Witherspoon is available and healthy, covering H-backs and tight ends, that disrupts Washington’s checkdowns and swing passes. Offensively, Seattle’s passing game will be tested by Washington’s improved second-level pressure; if they force Darnold to hold the ball or make tight windows, turnovers could follow. But Seattle should be able to generate enough separation from Smith-Njigba, especially if Kupp can still play in some capacity; plus, Walker’s downhill style keeps Washington’s front honest. Matchups across the line favor the Seahawks, as Washington’s defensive line is undermanned and lacks the depth to generate sustained disruption.
Team Summary
Seattle’s identity this season is grounded in balanced play, defensive toughness, and taking what the opponent gives up. They don’t rely on big plays as much as consistency—each drive aims to exploit matchups or force errors. Given Washington’s health issues and recent breakdowns, Seattle can take advantage by controlling tempo, sustaining drives, and avoiding letting Washington back in with turnovers or quick scoring. To win this game, Seattle must maintain pass protection (especially since Darnold has multiple targets injured), establish the run early, and use their secondary depth to contain Deebo. If they do, they should dominate time of possession and leverage field position.
Key Takeaway
Seattle enters this matchup favored, and with good reason: Washington’s offensive injuries, especially McLaurin’s absence and Tunsil’s questionable status, give Seattle defensive advantages. But if Daniels is sharp and Seattle’s injured receivers are limited, the game could stay closer than the spread suggests.