With both teams battling through a bunch of injuries, the Seahawks and Cardinals will have some new faces set to make an impact as they battle for the second time in seven weeks. What must Seattle do to earn a season sweep against its rival for the second straight year?

No, the Seahawks don’t have a perfect offensive line in 2025. But with many other teams struggling to build cohesive units in the trenches, the group has taken a massive step forward, emerging as a key reason to believe in Seattle as a contender.

Closer to full strength in the secondary, the Seahawks will be challenged by Jayden Daniels’ mobility, while the chance to awaken an inconsistent run game may present itself for the visitors in prime time against a Commanders defense that has endured plenty of struggles thus far.

Even with the Seahawks sitting at 5-2, not every player and coach on the team went into the bye week humming on all cylinders. Who stands to gain the most from the week off as Seattle heads into the second half?

From Sam Darnold to Cooper Kupp to Eric Saubert, the Seahawks have several players already making an impact on their roster with past ties to Klint Kubiak’s Shanahan-style scheme. Could another former pupil be the right piece to take the offensive line to the next level?

Only four teams have scored more points per game than the Seahawks through eight weeks of the 2025 NFL season, and they have managed to do that with a key element of their offense still waiting to bloom.

Ranking fifth in points per game, the Seahawks have eclipsed expectations amid a 5-2 start to the 2025 season thanks to Sam Darnold’s brilliance and an improving offensive line, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement heading into the bye week.

With the Seahawks and Buccaneers both dealing with several significant injuries, banged up secondaries will be challenged by talented receivers and the onus will fall on both defensive lines to set the tone rushing Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield as an equalizer.

While the Seahawks will be much closer to full strength in the secondary against Kyler Murray and company, the offense will be missing at least one starter for the key NFC West clash on Thursday Night Football against the Cardinals.

Though he’s ramped up his activity at practice, Uchenna Nwosu won’t be ready to suit up for the Seahawks in Sunday’s opener, while two veteran wideouts will also be held out against the 49ers.

For far too long, the Seahawks have been held back by the play of their offensive line. But for the first time in a long time, there’s a real sense of optimism in the trenches. Can the group deliver on growing expectations?

All that talk about the run game being “non-negotiable?” Well, the Seahawks once again backed up those words in a convincing preseason win over the Chiefs, an encouraging sign for when the real games start next month.

Even in a preseason setting, the Seahawks have showcased several staples in Klint Kubiak’s run game, using a variety of schemes to rush for almost 270 yards against the Chiefs on Friday night.

Back in full pads for the first time in nearly three weeks, the Seahawks’ bell cow back looked ready to face the 49ers in Tuesday’s final open practice for fans, while an intriguing group of undrafted rookie defensive linemen led by Jared Ivey continue to make positive impressions.

In a back-and-forth practice where the Seahawks’ defense started fast and the offense finished strong, Jalen Milroe kept rolling with his new favorite target and answers regarding offensive line competitions continue to slowly emerge.

Though the Seahawks weren’t on the practice field quite as long as usual on Saturday, the intensity ramped up, particularly in 11-on-11 drills with Sam Darnold and the quarterbacks executing quite well on decisive fourth downs.

All eyes will be on the Seahawks latest draft class as they make their NFL debuts in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Raiders, but they aren’t the only ones to watch closely in the first game action of the season at Lumen Field.

In their final full practice before opening the preseason, two rising stars sparred on the outside all afternoon for the Seahawks, while the pressure continues to rise for one of the team’s new veteran receivers with youngsters pushing for his reps.

Hitting the practice field without their head coach, the Seahawks engaged in a physical Monday practice with the offense getting the upper hand thanks to excellent red zone execution.

Seeking a downfield threat to help replace DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks may have found a possible solution in ascending rookie Tory Horton, who became the latest member of the 2025 draft class to shine in his first training camp.