The Seahawks have flown under the radar among the NFC playoff contenders throughout their surprise 2025 regular season. Seattle, now leading the strong NFC West at 7-2 after Week 10 and will get plenty of notice on its lofty perchy.
After routing the Cardinals 44-22 at home on Sunday, the Seahawks hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture. That would give them the conference's lone wild-card round bye and home-field advantage in the last two rounds.
MORE: Complete NFL updated playoff picture for Week 10
The Seahawks have gotten hot in the second half, winning four consecutive games with full control of their opponents. Before the Arizona romp, Seattle won at Washington, 38-14 on Sunday night of Week 9.
There's no doubt many have doubted the Seahawks, but the bottom line is they are ahead of both the Rams and 49ers in a tough division They also are ahead of the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles (No. 2) and NFC North-leading Packers (No. 3) in the conference standings. If Philadelphia loses at Green Bay on Monday night, Seattle would keep its No. 1 NFC perch going into Week 11.
The Seahawks are no fluke being this good this late in the season. Their only losses came in Week 1 to the 49ers and Week 5 to the Buccaneers, both one-possession games at home. They are well equipped to finish strong in the final two months. Here's a look at why Seattle has been so good:
The Seahawks have the right offensive coordinator
Klint Kubiak, who replaced Ryan Grubb after the latter's only Seahawks season, should be high on every list of potential head coaching candidates in 2026, whether a notable needy NFL team or a college program in need of a spark. Seattle was the No. 5 scoring team, averaging 28.9 points per game going into Week 10. That goes up to above 30 after Sunday. With Grubb, the Seahawks were only No. 17, 22.1 points per game.
They have boosted scoring by more than a touchdown and improved from No. 15 to No. 9 in total offense (going into Week 10). Kubiak has brought balance and explosiveness to the Seahawks, as they are equal calling the run and pass. The key has been finding the ideal familiar QB to run his system.
The Seahawks found the right QB in QB Sam Darnold
Darnold, before he had his delayed breakout season with the Vikings last season, had a stint as the 49ers backup QB in 2023. Kubiak, before he led the Saints' offense in 2024, was the 49ers passing game coordinator in '23.
That history with Kubiak was enough for him to believe Darnold was the QB he needed to run his system over Geno Smith, who was traded to the Raiders. Darnold has made a smooth transition from Minnesota to Seattle, only now with a dominant Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his ace No. 1 wide receiver instead of Justin Jefferson. He's gotten terrific pass protection and play-action play-calling support from Kubiak staying committed to the run.
The Seahawks are an old-school pass-to-score, run-to-win offense. They got more aggressive with their passing game by adding speedy wideout Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline. Darnold also has been sacked only 10 times in nine games. He's getting the ball out quickly and also delivering great deep ball accuracy to Smith-Njigba and others.
The Seahawks have a strong defense that travels well
The Seahawks were No. 2 against the run for defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald going into Week 10. They were No. 9 in total defense. They were No. 5 in scoring defense, allowing only 18.8 yards per game.
Because of that consistent well-rounded defense, matching the dynamic balance of their offense, the Seahawks have gone 4-0 on the road. They are physically tough, mentally tough and well coached for every situation.
The Seahawks have good momentum to steal the division from the Rams and then some
The Seahawks should be brimming with confidence based on their recent play. They get their first shot at the second-place Rams, also 7-2, in Los Angeles in Week 11. They also host the Rams in Week 16. They don't face the 6-4 49ers, now an injury-riddled team, until Week 17 in San Francisco.
Other than the Rams twice, the Seahawks' most challenging remaining game comes at home in Week 15 against the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts.
The Seahawks are trending toward at least a 13-4 record. That can put them in great position to hold on to the No. 1 seed and be a legitimate threat to get to Super Bowl 60 on the 49ers' home field.