NFL - Week One Recap

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense had a huge day in the season opening win.

High scoring was the order of the day around the NFL and the Chicago Bears routed the host Carolina Panthers, 59-37 to set a  record for most combined points scored in a season opening game. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had 269 passing yards with two passing scores and scored twice on the ground, including a 29-yard touchdown run. Bears running back D'Andre Swift rushed for three touchdowns and piled up 124 yards on 18 carries along with RB Kyle Monangai going for 100 yards on just ten carries and he scored on a 61 yard touchdown run. Panthers QB Bryce Young had three TD passes and one rushing score along with 361 passing yards and one interception thrown in the loss. The Bears and Panthers combined for over 1,000 yards in offense in this game as the Bears gained 552 total yards in offense and Carolina amassed 478 yards.

Jacksonville rolled past the visiting Cleveland Browns, 34-10 as Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence had four touchdown passes and 245 passing yards in the easy win. Browns QB Deshaun Watson was sacked five times in the loss as he had one TD pass and one interception.  

In the season opening game last Wednesday night, the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a 13-10 win over the visiting New England Patriots. The Seattle defense intercepted Pats QB Drake Maye (178 passing yards, one TD) three times in the fourth quarter, including a pick in the end zone in the final seconds to seal the win. Seahawks QB Drew Lock, playing in place of injured starter Sam Darnold, threw a 45-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba that tied the game 10-10 early in the fourth quarter. Seattle kicker Jason Myers 26-yard field goal with 5:50 left to go provided the final score. 

In Minnesota, the Vikings rolled up 22 points in the fourth quarter and toppled the Green Bay Packers, 39-22 behind three TD passes by QB Carson Wentz, who came into the game for Minnesota after starter Kyler Murray left with a concussion. The Packers led 22-10 in the third quarter as QB Jordan Love had two scoring passes (along with one interception and 387 passing yards) and Trey Smack drilled three field goals. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hauled in two touchdown passes to help lead the way even with the Vikings being out gained by 419 to 239 in total yardage. 

The San Francisco 49ers served notice they also reside in the mighty NFC West division as they crushed the Los Angeles Rams, 27-7 with Brock Purdy throwing three TD passes in the game played in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. The Rams lone score was a five-yard run by RB Kyren Williams. 

Cincinnati held off the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 33-27 as Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw a scoring pass to tight end Mike Gesicki and the defense scored on a 27-yard fumble return by Demetrius Knight, Jr. and RB Chase Brown added a five-yard scoring run to go with four field goals by Evan McPherson. The Bucs linebacker Josiah Trotter had a "pick six" interception touchdown and QB Baker Mayfield and RB Bucky Irving scored rushing touchdowns in the loss. 

 

Ravens RB Derrick Henry scored three times in big win. 

The Baltimore Ravens routed the host Indianapolis Colts, 41-23 behind big games from RB Derrick Henry (144 rushing yards, three TD) and QB Lamar Jackson (324 passing yards and one rushing TD), who connected with wide receiver Zay Flowers (five receptions for 150 yards) for a 54-yard touchdown pass. The Colts were out gained by Baltimore 506-251 in yardage as running back Jonathan Taylor (98 rushing yards) scored twice on the ground in defeat.

The Buffalo Bills went into Houston and punched the Texans and their rugged defense in the mouth en route to a 36-31 win behind a huge game from QB Josh Allen, who had 334 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns along with two scoring passes, including the game winner of 34 yards to WR Joshua Palmer with 1:36 remaining in the game. The Texans turned the football over twice on fumbles and were penalized for 106 yards in the loss as RB David Montgomery scored three times, including a seven-yard TD pass from C.J. Stroud (274 passing yards), who also threw a 12-yard scoring pass to WR Niko Collins. But a strip sack fumble recovery in the final minute by the Bills defense stopped the Texans drive and clinched the victory. 

The Sunday night game saw the New York Giants knock off the visiting Dallas Cowboys, 28-20 behind a balanced offense (165 rushing yards, 229 passing yards) with RB Cam Skattebo (81 rushing yards) scoring on a three-yard run and QB Jaxson Dart throwing for three touchdowns along with 230 passing yards. The Cowboys offense managed just 244 yards as Dak Prescott had two TD passes and running back Javonte Williams scored twice in defeat.  

The Las Vegas Raiders won at home, 27-13 against the Miami Dolphins with running back Ashton Jeanty scoring twice on receptions and gaining 102 rushing yards. Raiders QB Kirk Cousins had three TD passes to overcome two interceptions to help lead the way as well. The Dolphins also had a pair of turnovers and QB Malik Willis ran for a score and was sacked five times in the loss.  

The Philadelphia Eagles squeaked out a 24-22 home win against the Washington Commanders as they stopped a two-point conversion try after Commanders QB Jayden Daniels threw for his second touchdown in the game with just 1:01 left to play in the game. The Eagles got three scoring passes from QB Jalen Hurts to lead the way to the win. 

The surprise of the day was the Arizona Cardinals beating the host Los Angeles Chargers, 26-14 behind four field goals by Chad Ryland and a blocked punt that led to a three-yard scoring pass from QB Jacoby Brissett (277 passing yards) to tight end Trey McBride early in the fourth quarter for a 23-14 edge. The Chargers had two turnovers on offense and QB Justin Herbert had a TD pass with one interception thrown in defeat. 

The Detroit Lions held on for a 31-30 overtime win at home against the feisty New Orleans Saints. Detroit took a 31-24 lead in the OT session when QB Jared Goff threw his second TD pass to WR Amon-Ra St. Brown with 5:04 remaining. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored twice and had 156 rushing yards on 29 carries and the defense registered five sacks to help out in the win. The Saints came back from a 21-0 deficit behind three scoring passes from QB Tyler Shough, who had 410 passing yards and two interceptions, but the effort fell short in overtime as the Lions thwarted the two-point attempt. 

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers won a yawner, 20-13 against the Atlanta Falcons behind T.J. Watt returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown and one TD pass from QB Aaron Rodgers. Falcons QB Cooper Rush started in place of injured Tua Tagovailoa and was sacked four times along with two interceptions thrown, which offset his one scoring pass in the loss. 

The New York Jets won, 23-10 on the road against the Tennessee Titans as their defense limited the Titans to only 195 yards in total offense and they held the ball for over 38 minutes in the win. Jets running back Breece Hall (102 rushing yards) had a TD run and wide receiver Kenyon Sadiq added a three-yard scoring run. Titans QB Cam Ward threw a TD pass in the loss. 

 

WEEK ONE RESULTS 

Seattle 13, New England 10

San Francisco 27, L.A. Rams 7  

Chicago 59, Carolina 37 

Jacksonville 34, Cleveland 10 

N.Y. Jets 23, Tennessee 10 

Buffalo 36, Houston 31

Detroit 31, New Orleans 30 (OT) 

Cincinnati 33, Tampa Bay 27

Pittsburgh 20, Atlanta 13

Baltimore 41, Indianapolis 23 

Arizona 26, L.A. Chargers 14 

Las Vegas 27, Miami 13 

Philadelphia 24, Washington 22

Minnesota 39, Green Bay 22  

N.Y. Giants 28, Dallas 20  

 

 

 

25 Years Ago

 

NFL - Week One Preview

It's time for football as the 2026 NFL season gets started on Wednesday evening in Seattle with the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks taking on the New England Patriots in a "re-match" of the game last February. The 'Hawks crushed the Patriots in that one as their defense dominated the entire game. 

The Thursday night game will be in Melbourne, Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in what should be a good NFC West battle. On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills travel to take on the Houston Texans in a game between two teams that lost in the AFC divisional playoffs last January. Both of these teams are regarded as teams that could get to the Super Bowl this time around. 

There are four games featuring division rivals as the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings go at it in an NFC North tilt. The NFC East will have all four teams facing off in the opener as the Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants on the road on Sunday Night Football while the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Washington Commanders earlier in the day. On Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos will face the host Kansas City Chiefs in what should be another exciting one. 

All in all, the opening week around the NFL is one of the most unpredictable as the 32 NFL teams don't usually show too much from their starting players during the pre-season and this time around it was no different. 

This is the 18th season this blog is picking games on a weekly basis and it's always fun to try and figure out how things might go during the course of the NFL season. These picks made here are strictly predictions and are not to be taken serious for gambling point spreads or straight up plays or anything like that. So if people like to do that sort of thing, you're on your own with the sports odds makers. 

With that said, here goes nothing as Heftyinfo makes the picks for Week One around the NFL with the capsule style previews for all 16 games featured and then the actual picks for the games. 

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks - The home team should come out on top, but in a season opener, expect the unexpected. The Patriots will be without running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle injury) in this game, so quarterback Drake Maye will have the chance to throw more often to his two new wide receivers. Seattle's defense will be ready for the challenge and the offense will look to do the same. 

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia) - When these two teams go at it, expect a battle and this one should be no different. Both teams feature very good defenses in this game in the "land down under." The call here is the Rams win in a close finish. 

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers - The Bears have higher expectations entering this season and the Panthers won the NFC South a year ago. This game will likely come down to the wire. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals - Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has a new contract and should be flying high for this one. The Bengals have Joe Burrow at quarterback with two of the best wide receivers in the game and what they hope will be an improved defense with several new players. 

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions - Take the Lions in what should be a high scoring game. 

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans - This game is a test in the opener for two starting quarterbacks looking to shed the "choker" label following earlier than expected playoff exits last year. 

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - The Ravens looking to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing season while the Colts will look to do the same after so many injuries ruined a great start last year. 

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars - Take the Jaguars at home against a Browns team being led by QB Deshaun Watson, who hasn't started in nearly two years. 

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers rate the edge in this opener as QB Aaron Rodgers begins his final NFL season. Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking to revive his career. 

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans - In a game between two teams that went 3-14 a year ago, something positive has to happen. Some payback perhaps for Titans new head coach Robert Saleh as he goes against the team that fired him two years ago. 

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers - Arizona appears to be in total rebuild mode this year while the Chargers are looking to improve a stagnant offense with new coordinator Mike McDaniel on board this season. This one should be an interesting game. 

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders - Two teams with new head coaches looking to rebuild on the fly as the season gets started. Toss up. 

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings - NFC North rivals in this one and the Vikings have Kyler Murray now playing quarterback, looking to get the offense back in gear this season. Packers are expecting good things in the 2026 season after making the playoffs last season. This game will likely go down to the final possession and perhaps even into overtime. Definite toss up here. 

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles coming into this season with a chip on their shoulders as QB Jalen Hurts has been questioned by many following a down 2025 season right after a Super Bowl title. The Commanders also looking to prove themselves after falling hard with QB Jayden Daniels being injured for most of the 2025 season after his spectacular rookie year. 

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - The Sunday night "prime time" game between two teams that dislike each other. Dallas will attempt to prove all the hype about them is correct as they enter 2026 with a huge revamping of the NFL's worst defense from a year ago. The Giants appear to be up and comers, led by second year QB Jaxson Dart. This game should be a good one with the Cowboys sneaking it out against the home team. 

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - Monday Night Football in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes and company taking on the Broncos, the team that took over AFC West crown a year ago. Take the Chiefs in a squeaker. 

The Heftyinfo picks for Week One      . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)  

Seattle over New England 

L.A. Rams over San Francisco (game played in Melbourne, Australia) 

Chicago over Carolina 

Cincinnati over Tampa Bay 

Detroit over New Orleans 

Buffalo over Houston 

Baltimore over Indianapolis 

Jacksonville over Cleveland 

Pittsburgh over Atlanta 

Tennessee over N.Y. Jets 

L.A. CHARGERS over Arizona 

Las Vegas over Miami 

Minnesota over Green Bay 

Philadelphia over Washington 

Dallas over N.Y. Giants 

Kansas City over Denver

 

2025 FINAL SEASON RECORD - 176-95-1

Lock of the Week Record  - 16-2  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 SEASON - Preview And Predictions

The 2026 NFL season is just about here and the opening game kickoff is in Seattle on Wednesday evening when the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks host the New England Patriots. The Seahawks destroyed the Patriots, 29-13 in Super Bowl LX last February as their defense dominated while the offense was steady and running back Kenneth Walker III (now with the Kansas City Chiefs) was named the Most Valuable Player in the game. 

Seattle will have a battle once again in the NFC West division with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers this season and perhaps all three of those teams will again make the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks blasted the 49ers, 41-6 in the divisional round of the playoffs and then outlasted the Rams, 31-27 in the NFC Championship game prior to their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Patriots made some moves with their offense and have some new faces at wide receiver in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, to accompany quarterback Drake Maye, who was last seen running for his life in the Super Bowl loss against Seattle. The opening game should be an interesting affair for sure, but look for the Seahawks to prevail over the Patriots yet again. 

On Thursday Night Football, the Rams and 49ers will face each other for some reason all the way over in Melbourne, Australia. That game should be a good one as these fierce rivals go at it with the Rams featuring premier defensive player Myles Garrett, who is the single season sacks record holder. Last year, Garrett (with the Cleveland Browns) totaled 23 quarterback takedowns and he will be teaming with Aaron Donald, a future Hall-of-Fame player who came out of a three-year retirement to join his former team in their quest for a Super Bowl title. The 49ers have a strong defense as well, which should be bolstered by the return of edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner from injuries that kept them out of action for most of last season. 

It will be a fun start to what should be an entertaining and unpredictable NFL season. 

There are so many questions to be answered in the next four and half months as the 32 teams battle it out to see who will emerge as the Super Bowl champions at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on February 14, 2027 in Super Bowl LXI. 

Can the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, with many new faces on defense, overcome their demons and finally get to the NFL promised land? 

Can the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, finally reach the Super Bowl after so many playoff disappointments? 

What about the Baltimore Ravens and their beleaguered QB Lamar Jackson, the same can be said about them? 

Will quarterback Patrick Mahomes (coming off major knee surgery) and the Kansas City Chiefs bounce back in 2026 and reclaim their throne atop the AFC? 

What about the Denver Broncos in the competitive AFC West division? Can they ride their strong defense and will third year QB Bo Nix show more improvement as he looks to overcome a severe ankle injury that kept him out of the AFC title game last January?

Will the Philadelphia Eagles win a third straight NFC East title with QB Jalen Hurts now devoid of one of his top wide receivers,  A.J. Brown who went to the New England Patriots this off-season? 

Can quarterback Aaron Rodgers lead the Pittsburgh Steelers back to the AFC playoffs in this his 22nd and final NFL season?

Can the Chicago Bears continue to be late-game miracle workers with third year quarterback Caleb Williams, who dubbed himself the "Ice Man" during the frosty weather run last January in the NFC playoffs? 

Will the Detroit Lions make a comeback effort in the 2026 season and get back to the playoffs after tumbling to NFC North division cellar? 

Will the NFC South division winner actually have a winning record this season?  

So many questions to be answered and it will play out over the 18-week schedule from now until early January. So here goes as Heftyinfo looks to predict how the divisional races will shake out and which teams will go at it in the post-season before two teams eventually square off in the Super Bowl in February.  

(Teams listed in italic bold are the number one playoff seeds and get a bye; Wild Card teams listed in bold) 

NFC 

East - 1. Philadelphia 2. Dallas 3. N.Y. Giants 4. Washington 

North - 1. Detroit 2. Chicago 3. Minnesota 4. Green Bay 

South - 1. Tampa Bay 2. New Orleans 3. Carolina 4. Atlanta 

West - 1. L.A. Rams 2. Seattle 3. San Francisco 4. Arizona  

 

AFC

East - 1. Buffalo 2. New England 3. N.Y. Jets 4. Miami 

North - 1. Baltimore 2. Cincinnati 3. Pittsburgh 4. Cleveland 

South - 1. Jacksonville 2. Houston 3. Indianapolis 4. Tennessee 

West - 1. Denver 2. Kansas City 3. L.A. Chargers 4. Las Vegas  

NFC PLAYOFFS 

Wild Card Round  - Philadelphia over Dallas; San Francisco over Detroit; Seattle over Tampa Bay 

Divisional Round -  L.A. Rams over San Francisco; Seattle over Philadelphia 

NFC Championship Game - L.A. Rams over Seattle  

AFC PLAYOFFS 

Wild Card Round - Denver over Houston; L.A. Chargers over Baltimore; Kansas City over Jacksonville

Divisional Round - Buffalo over L.A. Chargers; Denver over Kansas City 

AFC Championship Game - Buffalo over Denver 

 

                                                                   SUPER BOWL LXI 

                                                                Los Angeles Rams over Buffalo Bills  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest In Peace Dolly Parton

Country music legend Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 years old. She was long ago dubbed the "Country Music Queen" and was well known for many decades, going back to her days with the late Porter Wagoner and also appearing on the old country and western variety show "Hee Haw" back in the late 1960s/early 1970s. She was voted as Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. 

 

 

She was known for her beautiful singing voice and busty physical appearance and long blonde hair. But Dolly was much more than all of that as she was a very generous, caring person who donated millions of books for children to read as well as many charities she was responsible for. She was not only a singer and entertainer, but also a philanthropist, who gave  hundreds of millions of dollars to literacy, healthcare, education and disaster relief. Parton came from a large family in Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children, born on January 19, 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. 

She also had the theme park "Dollywood" in the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg, Tennessee area. She also appeared in quite a few movies, including the hit movie 9 to 5 (1980) and also Steel Magnolias, which was released in 1989. Some of her many hit songs included "I Will Always Love You", "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors" and of course 9 to 5, the title track from the motion picture. Dolly Parton won ten Grammy Awards during her career as well. Dolly Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. 

God Bless You Dolly and Rest In Peace. 

 

John Roberts Led U.S. Supreme Court Gets It Wrong Again

The United States Supreme Court, already compromised with scandal due to Clarence Thomas taking bribe money for many years from Harlan Crow as well as Roberts' wife being involved in deals that make millions and then not recusing himself from said cases that came before the SCOTUS. And of course, Samuel Alito has been under fire ever since the photos came out showing his home displaying an upside American flag (a distress signal) following Trump and his goons trying to overthrow the 2020 U.S. election results. He and his wife were siding with Trump and the failed coup attempt. 

As for Roberts and his wife . . .  well, well, looky here . . . there are whistleblower documents that allege Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' wife, Jane Sullivan Roberts, earned over $10.3 million in commissions as a high-end legal recruiter from 2007 to 2014 working with firms that had business before the Supreme Court. Critics and ethics complaints argue this created conflicts of interest and that Roberts mischaracterized the commission income as a "salary" on financial disclosures.

Now of course, this SCOTUS (with no less than six republican partisan hacks) just ruled yesterday, during their annual summertime recess mind you, that Donald Trump can go ahead with his executive order of controlling the U.S. postal service and mail-in ballots for the Congressional mid-term elections in November. 

This U.S. Supreme Court, led by John Roberts, is full of shit, to put it simply. 

They have no business ruling on this. 

Trump is a traitor (January 6, 2021 failed coup attempt) and as well as being named hundreds of thousands of times in the Epstein Files, he cannot, by the rule of the U.S. Constitution, have any say on how individual states in this country run the elections. 

Period. End of discussion. 

And like so many of his attempts in court cases regarding elections, he will lose yet again with this futile effort, which is actually the idea of Project 2025 and the so called Heritage Foundation. The elections are too close at hand and this executive order will not have time to be implemented by then. Count on this happening folks . . . the elections will take place and the republicans up for re-election in Congress will be soundly defeated by we the people as we vote. 

Just like it happened 20 years ago in the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections, there will be a shellacking and the republican party will no longer have the majority control of the U.S. House and perhaps even lose the U.S. Senate majority. 

As for Trump and his six lap dogs on the SCOTUS, they can all go to hell. 

This is our country and it's not going to happen. 

Vote!  

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                                                                                       

2025 Record - 14-3-0 

Head Coach - Mike Macdonald 

2025 Offensive Rank - 351 YPG (7th); Rushing - 123 YPG (10th), Passing - 228 YPG (8th) SCORING - 28.4 PPG (3rd)

2025 Defensive Rank - 286 YPG (6th); Rushing - 92 YPG (3rd), Passing - 194 YPG (10th) SCORING - 17.2 PPG (1st)

Key Player Additions - Jadarian Price (RB), Dante Fowler, Jr. (LB), Rodney Thomas (DB), Noah Igbinoghene (DB), Emmanuel Wilson (RB)

Key Player Losses - Kenneth Walker III (RB), Coby Bryant (DB), Cam Akers (RB), Riq Woolen (DB), Boye Mafe (LB) 
 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Sam Darnold put together a successful season in 2025, passing for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Drew Lock is the backup quarterback. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left in free agency, leaving Zach Charbonnet (730 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC and 12 touchdowns) as the primary running back. Rookie Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) was the top draft pick for Seattle and will get his chances to contribute. The wide receivers are Jaxon Smith-Njigba (119 receptions for 1,793 yards and ten TD), Cooper Kupp (47, 593, two TD) and Rashid Shaheed (59, 687, two TD with both Seattle and New Orleans in 2025). The tight ends are A.J. Barner, who had 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns and Elijah Arroyo, who was limited in his rookie season with knee injuries. 

DEFENSE - The defensive front has nose tackle Jarran Reed along with Leonard Williams (seven QB sacks), Byron Murphy (seven sacks) and DeMarcus Lawrence. The linebackers are Ernest Jones IV (team high 126 tackles and also five interceptions), Drake Thomas (89 tackles), Derrick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, who had seven sacks. In the defensive backfield are cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe and the safeties are Nick Emmanwori (81 tackles) and Julian Love. Veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs was recently signed and Terrion Arnold is another possible addition in the secondary. Also looking to provide depth in the secondary are D'Anthony Bell, Noah Igbinoghene, Rodney Thomas and rookies Julian Neal (Arkansas) and Bud Clark (TCU).  The Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defense last season, allowing just 17.2 points per game and had 47 sacks along with 18 interceptions. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in dominating fashion last year and the defense showed why it was one of the best in the NFL in that victory against the New England Patriots. Head Coach Mike Macdonald came on board with a reputation as a defensive guru and he would like to see more of the same as the Seahawks look to defend their title, which won't be easy playing in the NFC West along with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. 

The offense finished third in the league in scoring as QB Sam Darnold played well enough with a balanced attack that saw wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba lead the NFL in receiving yardage while the running attack was in the top ten in the NFL. Running back Zach Charbonnet is looking to return from a knee injury that kept him out of the post-season and rookie RB Jadarian Price will be a key piece until Charbonnet is back as a starter. The defense was tremendous and like the offense, has ten starting players from last year returning in 2026, so that should bode well for the team. 

As long as the key players stay healthy and complacency doesn't set in, the Seahawks should be right there with the Rams and 49ers in the fight for the NFC West crown this year. All three of those teams could make the NFC playoffs yet again and if the Seahawks are going to go far in January, then Darnold and company must do their part on offense as they did in the Super Bowl run last year. The chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions is always difficult, so Seattle is in for a battle. The talent is definitely there to get it done again, so now is the time for them to go out and prove it.  

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. New England 

Week Two - at Arizona 

Week Three - at Washington 

Week Four - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Five - vs. San Francisco 

Week Six - at Denver 

Week Seven - vs. Kansas City 

Week Eight - vs. Chicago 

Week Nine - vs. Arizona 

Week Ten - at Las Vegas 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - at San Francisco 

Week Thirteen - vs. Dallas 

Week Fourteen - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Fifteen - at Philadelphia 

Week Sixteen - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Seventeen - at Carolina 

Week Eighteen - at L.A. Rams