Seahawks Game-By-Game Schedule Predictions: Another Playoff Berth?
The 2023 NFL regular season won't kick off for nearly four months, but with free agency and the draft both wrapped up and the schedule officially released on Thursday, most teams won't undergo any significant changes roster-wise between now and the start of training camp in late July.
Keeping that in mind, with the Seattle Seahawks currently having a full 90-man roster heading towards OTAs later this month, it's never too early to peek at the schedule and predict how the upcoming season will unfold.
After a surprise playoff berth last season, how will Seattle fare in 2023? Here's a quick rundown with running win/loss totals for all 17 of its scheduled games:
Week 1: Seattle Seahawks 31, Los Angeles Rams 27
2023 Record: 1-0
While the atmosphere likely won't quite compare to the home opener last year when Russell Wilson returned to Lumen Field with the Broncos, the Seahawks will feed off a frenzied home crowd against a transitioning Rams squad that lost a lot of star power this offseason. Led by three Geno Smith touchdown passes and an interception by rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon in his NFL debut, Pete Carroll's team opens the year with a win for the fifth straight season and starts on the right foot in the divisional race.
Week 2: Seattle Seahawks 34, Detroit Lions 30
2023 Record: 2-0
Traveling to Motown for the second straight season, the Seahawks will once again find themselves engaged in an offensive slugfest against a Lions team that upgraded at running back by drafting Jahmyr Gibbs and should benefit from a full season from speedy receiver Jameson Williams. With Detroit still having question marks at cornerback, DK Metcalf and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba each go over 100 receiving yards and combine for three touchdowns as Seattle holds on late to win an early season track meet.
Week 3: Seattle Seahawks 23, Carolina Panthers 21
2023 Record: 3-0
At least on offense, the Panthers will hardly resemble the team that flew into Lumen Field and upset the Seahawks last December with a new coach in Frank Reich, a new quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, and a new feature back in Miles Sanders. With that said, Smith will be eager to avenge arguably his worst performance from last year against a talented defense and after trailing for a good portion of the game, the veteran quarterback out-duels his rookie adversary by leading a game-winning drive culminating with a short Jason Myers field goal as time expires.
Week 4: New York Giants 26, Seattle Seahawks 20
2023 Record: 3-1
Historically, Seattle has played well on Monday Night Football with Carroll on the sidelines. But coming off a divisional round berth a year ago, New York added several new weapons on offense to go with quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, including trading for dynamic tight end Darren Waller. Battling jet lag after a cross country trip to the East Coast, Smith struggles against his former team and Barkley rips off 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns to key a big prime time win for the G-Men.
Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6: Cincinnati Bengals 33, Seattle Seahawks 24
2023 Record: 3-2
Facing off against Joe Burrow for the first time, the Seahawks race out to an early lead on the road behind touchdown runs by Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, taking the crowd out of the game for a brief while. But with Uchenna Nwosu and the pass rush unable to generate much pressure on Burrow, the poised veteran starts dicing up Seattle's secondary with a big dose of JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins in the second half, finishing with over 400 passing yards and four touchdowns as Cincinnati pulls away in the final two quarters.
Week 7: Seattle Seahawks 20, Arizona Cardinals 15
2023 Record: 4-2
In a rainy, windy home game in late October, neither the Seahawks nor Cardinals can muster much on offense as they partake in a field goal war at Lumen Field. Still trying to find his footing after returning from a torn ACL, Kyler Murray gets picked by Jamal Adams in the fourth quarter to set up a Ken Walker III touchdown run and the defense follows up with a key fourth down stop on a pass breakup by Tariq Woolen against DeAndre Hopkins to secure a tighter-than-expected five point victory in a defensive struggle.
Week 8: Seattle Seahawks 27, Cleveland Browns 20
2023 Record: 5-2
Early on, All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett toys with second-year tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, sacking Geno Smith twice in the first half as Cleveland goes into halftime nursing a 13-10 advantage. Making adjustments to pass protection and leaning more heavily on the ground game in the second half, Walker leads the charge back by punching the ball in for six points inside two minutes left to play. Putting the finishing touches on a comeback win, Quandre Diggs intercepts Deshaun Watson in the final minute to the delight of the 12s.
Week 9: Baltimore Ravens 30, Seattle Seahawks 24
2023 Record: 5-3
In a fun quarterback matchup, Geno Smith and Lamar Jackson duel for three quarters as the Seahawks go into the final quarter holding a one-point lead. But with the Ravens' pass rush coming to life late, Tyus Bowser strip sacks Smith near midfield to thwart a promising drive, setting up Jackson to use his legs and rip off a 23-yard touchdown run on a read option. Adding another field goal late, Baltimore fends off Seattle to end its two-game winning streak and hold serve at home.
Week 10: Seattle Seahawks 19, Washington Commanders 17
2023 Record: 6-3
Nothing screams midseason trap game quite like welcoming a pesky Washington team to the Pacific Northwest with an unproven quarterback in Sam Howell under center. With Chase Young frequently finding his way into Seattle's backfield and a stout Commanders front line locking down Walker and Charbonnet, Seattle only finds the end zone once. But Smith connecting with Tyler Lockett for six in the third quarter proves to be just enough on a day where points are at a premium and two interceptions against Howell key a not-so-easy victory at home.
Week 11: Los Angeles Rams 26, Seattle Seahawks 23
2023 Record: 6-4
After earning a rare sweep of the Rams last season, the Seahawks aren't able to extend their winning streak in the series to four games with another sluggish effort at SoFi Stadium. Uncharacteristically off accuracy-wise, Smith gets picked off twice and takes four sacks on the afternoon, while Matthew Stafford turns in a vintage performance throwing for over 300 yards and hooking up with Cooper Kupp for two touchdowns after halftime. Seattle limps into a short week barely clinging to NFC West title hopes...
Week 12: Seattle Seahawks 29, San Francisco 49ers 25
2023 Record: 7-4
But thankfully, hope is quickly restored only four days later. Finally getting a chance at revenge after losing three times to the 49ers last season, including in the wild card round, the Seahawks win a wild one on Thanksgiving night behind a strong bounce-back performance from Smith and an opportunistic defense that forces a pair of turnovers. Completing north of 70 percent of his passes and throwing touchdown passes to Lockett, Smith-Njigba, and Noah Fant, Smith gets to enjoy turkey legs at midfield after an MVP-caliber performance against an elite defense.
Week 13: Seattle Seahawks 32, Dallas Cowboys 27
2023 Record: 8-4
Having already lost four games on the road, the Seahawks step up to the challenge drawing a second straight Thursday Night Football date against the Cowboys with over 200 rushing yards as a team. Spearheading a stellar defensive effort after a tough start, Uchenna Nwosu sacks Dak Prescott twice and forces a critical fourth quarter fumble recovered by Bobby Wagner, setting the table for a Smith touchdown pass to Metcalf to extend Seattle's lead to 11 points. Prescott makes things interesting with a touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb, but the comeback comes short with a missed two-point conversion and failed onside kick attempt.
Week 14: San Francisco 49ers 26, Seattle Seahawks 17
2023 Record: 8-5
Only two weeks after a riveting win over the 49ers at home, the Seahawks aren't able to replicate their offensive performance on the road with a division title within reach. Unable to muster a rushing attack against San Francisco's dominant front line, Smith has to shoulder the load and throws a season-high three interceptions while dealing with relentless pressure from Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel continues to be a Seahawk killer with 186 all-purpose yards and two scores to give the 49ers a huge December home win.
Week 15: Philadelphia Eagles 34, Seattle Seahawks 30
2023 Record: 8-6
Partaking in one of the most thrilling games of the season, the Seahawks give the Eagles all they can handle on their home field, producing over 500 yards of total offense behind a big day from Walker and Charbonnet. Stepping up with a few injuries at receiver, Dee Eskridge catches a fourth quarter touchdown to briefly put Seattle ahead, only for Jalen Hurts to return the favor and leave the Lumen Field crowd silenced in the waning moments on a game-winning touchdown to A.J. Brown with Woolen in coverage against him.
Week 16: Seattle Seahawks 20, Tennessee Titans 10
2023 Record: 9-6
Rebounding from back-to-back defeats to two of the NFC's premier teams, the Seahawks take out their frustrations on a rebuilding Titans squad that has now installed rookie Will Levis as the starting quarterback. Taking advantage of the rookie's propensity for taking risks as a passer, Witherspoon and Diggs each register an interception apiece, setting up 10 points off of turnovers, including a touchdown catch by Will Dissly in the second quarter. Winning the possession battle on a windy Christmas Eve, Seattle holds on for a comfortable 10-point win.
Week 17: Seattle Seahawks 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
2023 Record: 10-6
In a late season matchup between two playoff hopefuls, the Steelers come out swinging as quarterback Kenny Pickett connects with receiver Allen Robinson on the game's opening possession for a 12-yard touchdown. From there, however, the Seahawks superior talent takes over, as they clinch a playoff berth behind a solid two-touchdown performance by Smith, 123 rushing yards by Walker, and a 14-tackle, one-interception performance from Wagner in the middle.
Week 18: Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 20
2023 Record: 11-6
While a win by the 49ers eliminates the chance for an NFC West title, the Seahawks don't squander their opportunity to ride a three-game winning streak into the postseason against an inferior divisional foe. Though Murray rushes for a pair of scores, his efforts aren't enough with a struggling Cardinals defense unable to consistently pressure Smith, allowing him to pick apart a struggling secondary for 285 passing yards and three scores, including a 45-yard strike to Metcalf.
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