Racing out to 7-2 starts, the Seahawks and Rams have been stingy allowing points to opponents with ferocious defensive lines, underrated linebackers, and versatile secondaries. Where does each team hold an edge going into Sunday’s first matchup at SoFi Stadium?

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?

While the Seahawks won’t be quite at full strength in the secondary for Sunday night’s clash with the Commanders, Mike Macdonald will have to navigate a potentially tricky situation with two of the team’s best weapons playing together for the first time since Week 1.

Headlined by Julian Love’s prolonged absence, early half a dozen players were ruled out by the Seahawks two days before kickoff, a sign that more moves could be coming in the next 24 hours as the team gears up for a tough road contest against the Commanders.

Boasting a top-five offense and top-six defense, the Seahawks stack up favorably with the best of the best, at least on paper, after seven games. But to be viewed as a true contender that can stay atop a competitive NFC West, several areas must be shored up in the second half.

Just outside the top five in scoring defense, the Seahawks have lived up to expectations in Mike Macdonald’s second season in many regards, but Ernest Jones and company still have a ways to go to play up to their high standards.

Trying to keep pace with the Rams and 49ers in the NFC West, the Seahawks will face the NFL’s top-ranked defense in the Texans on Monday Night Football. What must they accomplish to improve to 5-2?

Pitting two of the NFL’s fiercest defenses against each other in prime time, the Seahawks hope to find a kink in the Texans’ armor and heat up C.J. Stroud, while the visitors intend to make life tough on Sam Darnold with a vicious edge rush and ball hawking defenders on the back end.

Licking their wounds after a 38-35 loss to the Buccaneers, the Seahawks could have a few key defensive players returning this week, but Devon Witherspoon’s status remains one of potential concern.

After returning for a Thursday night win in Arizona, the Seahawks will be without Devon Witherspoon for a third time in four games along with two other key defensive starters against the Buccaneers.

Escaping on a game-winning field goal by Jason Myers, the Seahawks improved their winning streak to three games fending off the Cardinals in a Thursday night thriller. Who starred under the lights in prime time?

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.

For a second straight week, the Seahawks will likely be down multiple starters in the secondary, thrusting backups into key roles against the visiting Saints.

Along with getting their run game going behind their speedy playmaker Ken Walker III, the Seahawks received significant contributions from their No. 1 receiver and a host of talents on defense in a win over the Steelers.

While Devon Witherspoon could be seen sprinting on the field in pre-game warmups, he won’t be in uniform for the Seahawks as they try to get their first win of the 2025 season in Pittsburgh.

Recharged with a strong supporting cast in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks expect to receive Aaron Rodgers’ best when they face the Steelers in Sunday’s road opener with an intriguing chess match looming.

Drawing closer to their road opener in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks have growing injury concerns on defense, particularly in the secondary where three of their top six players missed Thursday’s practice.

Only a few plays into his NFL debut, Nick Emmanwori demonstrated why the Seahawks have been so excited to unleash him in Mike Macdonald’s defense. But after suffering a high ankle sprain on the same play, the team will have to audible schematically until he can return.

Looking to find their way back into the playoffs after a two-year drought, how will the 2025 season play out for the Seahawks in year two under Mike Macdonald?