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Saturday, Oct 17 · Chiefs at Seahawks Sun, Oct 25

Seahawks Saturday

Time for Cope or Hope?

The Hawks Nest at Lumen Field, the Seahawks logo in its seats, with the Space Needle and Mount Rainier
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KICKOFF8:02:47:24SUN 5:20
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Seahawks Saturday
LUMEN FIELDSUN, OCT 25
Kickoff · Sun 5:20 PT8:02:47:24
Lumen Field5:20 PM PT
HB Daily · Today's issue

Seattle is half a game out of the NFC's final playoff spot, and five other teams play this weekend

Here's how to root in every game with stakes for the Seahawks' playoff math.

Seven teams hold a playoff spot in the NFC right now. Seattle isn't one of them, so here's who to root for in every game that matters. Rooting Guide Who to root for this weekend
Darnold's highest hit rates in his 24 Seattle starts
0%10%20%30%40%2026 Wk 4 vs LAC30.8%2026 Wk 6 at DEN26.8%2025 Wk 2 at PIT22.9%2026 Wk 5 vs SF22.9%2025 NFC title vs LA17.5%2025 Wk 13 vs MIN16.7%2025 Wk 17 at CAR16.1%2025 Divisional vs SF15.8%2025 Wk 10 vs ARI15.4%2025 Wk 16 vs LA15.4%

nflverse play-by-play

Seahawks Darnold took 15 hits in Denver, and it isn't a one-game problem
Tight-window and contested throw rates by quarterback
0%10%20%30%Drew Lock,2026SamDarnold,2026SamDarnold,2025SamDarnold,2025Tight-window throwsContested ball rateContested target rate

Next Gen Stats via nflverse, FTN charting, Sumer Sports charting

Seahawks Seattle's quarterbacks are throwing into tighter windows
On 3rd and short, Sam Darnold almost never goes down. On 3rd and long, his sack rate has more than doubled from a year ago.Free readers pick 2 a day. Patrons read every section. SeahawksLocked Darnold's sacks have moved to 3rd and long Tory Horton played a lot more at Denver. Here's who gave up the snaps to make room.Free readers pick 2 a day. Patrons read every section. SeahawksLocked Tory Horton's snaps came from the tight ends, not the receivers Seattle's escape rate looks the same as it did under Drew Lock. The two halves of it tell a different story.Free readers pick 2 a day. Patrons read every section. SeahawksLocked Seattle's is getting into too many obvious passing situations Seattle's line is allowing pressure about as often as it did under Drew Lock. Who's allowing it has completely flipped.Free readers pick 2 a day. Patrons read every section. SeahawksLocked Who's giving up the pressure: Lucas has slipped the most
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Rooting Guide

Sun, PT
Saintsat Giants · 10:00 AM
Falconsvs Bears · 10:00 AM
Eaglesvs Panthers · 10:00 AM
Steelersat Buccaneers · 10:00 AM
Cardinalsat Rams · 1:05 PM
Scout: Chiefsvs Chargers · 1:25 PM
Cowboysat Packers · 5:20 PM
Commandersat 49ers · Mon 5:15 PM
Men's Nike Jaxon Smith-Njigba Royal Seattle Seahawks Throwback Player Game Jersey
Jersey of the week · Throwback

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

134 rec yds, 12 catches vs the Broncos.

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59:25
Latest episode · Sat, Oct 17 · 5.7K views

SEAHAWKS SATURDAY: Time for Cope or Hope?

Jeff Simmons joins for his weekly visit after the brutal loss to the toothless Broncos. Mike Macdonald is sticking with Sam Darnold and Brian Fleury. They have some extra time…

Listen to this episodeDaily Seahawks Podcast
Ad-free on Patreon Earlier this week
  • Macdonald Sticking With Sam1:00
  • POSTGAME SHOW: Seahawks Continue Downward Spiral0:54
  • Jeff Simmons Show: Seahawks-Broncos pre-game with Evan Hill0:37
Brought to you by Local team. Local coverage.go.pemco.com/hawkblogger

Insight of the Day

HB Daily →
TodaySat, Oct 17 · Rooting Guide

Who to root for this weekend

Four division leaders hold a playoff spot in the NFC right now: San Francisco, Minnesota, the Giants and Carolina. Three more teams are tied for the three wild card spots at 3-2: Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay. Seattle, at 3-3, sits half a game behind that tie.

The NFC's playoff picture, Week 6
TeamDivisionWL
SFWest50
MINNorth50
NYGEast42
SEAWest33
CHINorth32
DETNorth32
2 more rows in the issue.
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YesterdayFri, Oct 16 · Seahawks

Denver gained 168 yards and still beat Seattle

Most of Denver's offense came early. Its first three possessions went for 125 yards and both of its touchdowns. Its last ten went for 43 yards and 3 points, and those 3 points came on a 53-yard field goal after an overtime interception gave Denver the ball at the Seattle 43.

Denver's first three possessions, then the rest
PossessionsCountYardsPoints
First three312514
Last ten10433
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba134 rec yds, 12 catches vs the Broncos

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HB Analytics

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Team Grid of the Day · TodayBuild your own grid →

Staying ahead of the chains

1ST DOWN SUCCESS RATE · BETTER →2ND & 8+ ESCAPE RATE · BETTER →NFL medianArizona Cardinals: 51.0% (2nd), 37.0% (17th)Atlanta Falcons: 49.6% (6th), 27.8% (29th)Baltimore Ravens: 58.3% (1st), 41.7% (10th)Buffalo Bills: 47.6% (9th), 48.7% (6th)Carolina Panthers: 47.1% (11th), 54.5% (2nd)Chicago Bears: 41.2% (20th), 41.5% (11th)Cincinnati Bengals: 39.8% (24th), 54.3% (3rd)Cleveland Browns: 36.7% (26th), 31.7% (24th)Dallas Cowboys: 44.1% (14th), 53.3% (4th)Denver Broncos: 34.8% (30th), 36.8% (18th)Detroit Lions: 48.3% (7th), 42.6% (9th)Green Bay Packers: 43.0% (18th), 39.5% (13th)Houston Texans: 40.8% (21st), 34.0% (22nd)Indianapolis Colts: 38.7% (25th), 44.9% (8th)Jacksonville Jaguars: 42.3% (19th), 38.1% (14th)Kansas City Chiefs: 50.6% (3rd), 47.2% (7th)Los Angeles Rams: 47.8% (8th), 35.6% (21st)Los Angeles Chargers: 43.7% (16th), 37.0% (16th)Las Vegas Raiders: 50.5% (5th), 30.8% (27th)Miami Dolphins: 28.0% (32nd), 30.9% (26th)Minnesota Vikings: 36.7% (26th), 20.4% (31st)New England Patriots: 44.0% (15th), 48.9% (5th)New Orleans Saints: 35.5% (29th), 32.1% (23rd)New York Giants: 36.3% (28th), 36.8% (18th)New York Jets: 47.6% (10th), 36.8% (18th)Philadelphia Eagles: 33.3% (31st), 15.6% (32nd)Pittsburgh Steelers: 46.2% (12th), 37.8% (15th)San Francisco 49ers: 50.5% (4th), 64.7% (1st)Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 40.0% (23rd), 40.0% (12th)Tennessee Titans: 40.2% (22nd), 30.3% (28th)Washington Commanders: 43.2% (17th), 31.2% (25th)Seattle Seahawks: 44.4% (13th), 26.0% (30th)Ahead of the chainsEscapes 2nd & longWins 1st down onlyBehind the chains
1ST DOWN SUCCESS RATE · BETTER →2ND & 8+ ESCAPE RATE · BETTER →NFL medianArizona Cardinals: 51.0% (2nd), 37.0% (17th)Atlanta Falcons: 49.6% (6th), 27.8% (29th)Baltimore Ravens: 58.3% (1st), 41.7% (10th)Buffalo Bills: 47.6% (9th), 48.7% (6th)Carolina Panthers: 47.1% (11th), 54.5% (2nd)Chicago Bears: 41.2% (20th), 41.5% (11th)Cincinnati Bengals: 39.8% (24th), 54.3% (3rd)Cleveland Browns: 36.7% (26th), 31.7% (24th)Dallas Cowboys: 44.1% (14th), 53.3% (4th)Denver Broncos: 34.8% (30th), 36.8% (18th)Detroit Lions: 48.3% (7th), 42.6% (9th)Green Bay Packers: 43.0% (18th), 39.5% (13th)Houston Texans: 40.8% (21st), 34.0% (22nd)Indianapolis Colts: 38.7% (25th), 44.9% (8th)Jacksonville Jaguars: 42.3% (19th), 38.1% (14th)Kansas City Chiefs: 50.6% (3rd), 47.2% (7th)Los Angeles Rams: 47.8% (8th), 35.6% (21st)Los Angeles Chargers: 43.7% (16th), 37.0% (16th)Las Vegas Raiders: 50.5% (5th), 30.8% (27th)Miami Dolphins: 28.0% (32nd), 30.9% (26th)Minnesota Vikings: 36.7% (26th), 20.4% (31st)New England Patriots: 44.0% (15th), 48.9% (5th)New Orleans Saints: 35.5% (29th), 32.1% (23rd)New York Giants: 36.3% (28th), 36.8% (18th)New York Jets: 47.6% (10th), 36.8% (18th)Philadelphia Eagles: 33.3% (31st), 15.6% (32nd)Pittsburgh Steelers: 46.2% (12th), 37.8% (15th)San Francisco 49ers: 50.5% (4th), 64.7% (1st)Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 40.0% (23rd), 40.0% (12th)Tennessee Titans: 40.2% (22nd), 30.3% (28th)Washington Commanders: 43.2% (17th), 31.2% (25th)Seattle Seahawks: 44.4% (13th), 26.0% (30th)Ahead of the chainsEscapes 2nd & longWins 1st down onlyBehind the chains

Seattle: 13th in 1st down success rate (44.4%), 30th in 2nd & 8+ escape rate (26.0%).

Ahead of the chains · 1049ersChiefsRavensPanthersBillsLionsCowboysPatriots+2 more

Data: Sumer Sports charting. Open this grid →

This week
Team Evaluator · last 4 games

Seattle's trends

Offense · 24ththis season
−0.60−0.40−0.20−0.00+0.20−0.05Week 3: at Washington CommandersWk 3−0.09Week 4: vs. Los Angeles ChargersWk 4−0.43Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ersWk 5−0.10Week 6: at Denver BroncosWk 6
Defense · 2ndlower is better
−0.20−0.100.00+0.10−0.08Week 3: at Washington CommandersWk 3−0.09Week 4: vs. Los Angeles ChargersWk 4−0.14Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ersWk 5−0.14Week 6: at Denver BroncosWk 6

The dashed line is the NFL average that week. Green beat it, orange didn't.

Open the Team Evaluator →
Updated 8h ago

Power Rankings

Biggest climb: Broncos ▲2 to 13th

See all 32 →
Player Evaluator

Seahawks by VOR

Jaxon Smith-NjigbaWR170 VOR · 28th in NFL
Julian LoveS167 VOR · 33rd in NFL
Leonard WilliamsIDL163 VOR · 44th in NFL
Byron MurphyIDL158 VOR · 61st in NFL
All 849 regulars →
Seahawks Cap Outlook · 2026

Where the money goes

Drew LockQB$2.8M · 139 VOR
Uchenna NwosuEDGE$20.0M · 119 VOR
Rodney ThomasS$1.0M · 115 VOR
George HolaniRB$1.1M · 100 VOR
Ty OkadaS$1.1M · 97 VOR

23 Seahawks are in the last year of their deals, $61.9M of this year's cap. Best by VOR first.

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XLatest from BrianFollow on X
Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · 48m

The latest season of The Diplomat was amazing. Kudos to all who were involved in writing, directing and acting in it. Wow.

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · 2h

It turns out the Seahawks losing has been good for one thing. @realjeffsimmons and I managed to sleep in today. We dove into the new priority questions about the Seahawks.

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · 4h

Seahawks Saturday will be at 11AM today with @realjeffsimmons. See you there!

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

A lot of Seahawks fans have their pitchforks out for Sam Darnold and Brian Fleury. Mike Macdonald is sticking with both of them. I explain why I believe he got to that conclusion, and the task ahead.

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

Mike Macdonald has made a few decisions. Let's talk about what he's doing with his QB and OC, and what may lay ahead. Come on over!

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

Elijah Arroyo is getting imaging today, but no update on his availability yet, per Mike Macdonald

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

Anthony Bradford has a "really good chance of practicing and playing this week." "No update" on Zach Charbonnet. Jadarian Price is "doing great. We should be looking at a sooner rather than later return after this game." Per Mike Macdonald on @SeattleSports

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

Mike Macdonald says on @SeattleSports that he is not considering a change at QB

Brian Nemhauser@hawkblogger · Fri

My Morning After column looks at the very challenging decisions facing Mike Macdonald in the coming days, and why the right answers are not as clear as fans might like

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