The Seattle Seahawks enter the new football season as defending Super Bowl champions, having defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. Quarterback Sam Darnold played a key role in the team's dominant victory, which capped a 14-3 season.
Despite the championship success, analysts suggest the Seahawks could face a more difficult road in the upcoming season. The team saw key departures, including Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, who moved to the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive coordinator Klint Kubiak also left to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite these losses, Seattle has made efforts to retain core players, extending contracts for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Charles Cross, and Derick Hall. The offense is expected to remain strong with Darnold at quarterback and a receiving corps featuring Smith-Njigba, veteran Cooper Kupp, and third receiver Shaheed. Zach Charbonnet is set to become the primary running back following an injury in the playoffs. The defense, while losing some talent, is still expected to field many of its key players from last season.
Betting outlooks for the Seahawks have adjusted, with their projected win total dropping from 14 to 10.5. This adjustment reflects the expectation that several divisional rivals, including the Rams, 49ers, and Cardinals, are poised for improvement. While the team is still favored to make the playoffs, the odds have decreased.
Last season, the Seahawks navigated a challenging path to the Super Bowl, narrowly defeating the Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game and decisively beating the 49ers 41-6 in the Divisional Round. The team's overall performance highlighted their strength and consistency throughout the year.