We now know the Seahawks' schedule for the 2026 season, and it won't be smooth sailing for the defending champs.
The Seattle Seahawks' 2026 schedule has dropped, and now we know who the defending champs will play and where, as Mike Macdonald's task to go back-to-back and the path to follow have been revealed.
The NFC West looms as a brutal set of games in itself, but the Seahawks also have some tough games outside the division and conference.
Defending the Super Bowl title is nearly an impossible task for teams, and the Seahawks are going to have to be perhaps even better than they were last year just to get into the postseason.
With all 17 games dropping, here are five of the toughest hurdles Seattle will need to overcome.
No. 1 - the Super Bowl rematch
Talk about a tone-setter for the season. The Seahawks will host Mike Vrabel's New England Patriots to open the season, and the opportunity that Seattle is given is huge.
Win, and the NFL will be on notice that the champs are still the champs. But lose, and maybe that shine of invincibility will come off a touch.
Every team wants to start the season well, and the Seahawks, while at home, are going to face a tough Patriots team looking for revenge.
No. 2 - Two-game road trip before gauntlet
After the Patriots in Week 1, the Seahawks are then on the road in Arizona, before heading to Washington to face the Commanders.
That is a two-game road trip that, if we count what could happen in Week 1, could set the Seahawks up with a nice buffer ahead of a brutal five-game stretch that could define the season.
Who knows what we are going to get from the Cardinals, who drafted star back Jeremiyah Love, and the Commanders, at that stage of the season, should have a healthy Jayden Daniels, who transforms their team.
Banking wins here is crucial if the Seahawks are to keep their head above water.
No. 3 - Devastating five-game stretch from Week 4 to Week 8
As far as tough stretches of football, this might top the list.
The Seahawks face the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers at home, are then at Denver, before hosting the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears.
That's brutal.
The saving grace is that only one of those games is on the road, but it's possibly in the hardest stadium to play in - Empower Field at Mile High.
Seattle will be doing well to come out of that gauntlet on the right side of .500.
No. 4 - 49ers and Cowboys in consecutive weeks
Both are late in the season, and the Seahawks will be coming off their bye before facing San Francisco on the road in Week 12, before taking on the Dallas Cowboys in prime time.
With the 49ers expected to be among the league's best, that game will likely have division implications.
And depending on how the Cowboys fare, that could have playoff and conference implications, so this two-game section for Seattle is crucial, because what's to follow is nightmare fuel.
No. 5 - The horror run in
After the New York Giants in Week 14 (could still be tough), the Seahawks will travel to Philadelphia, before facing the Los Angeles Rams at home, then travel to Carolina, before again being on the road to face the Rams.
Sheesh. Finishing the season with two road games.
The Seahawks facing the Rams twice in three weeks to end the season could very well solidify their playoff and division standing, or it could completely blow it up.
Plus, the Eagles will be no pushovers, nor will Carolina be at home.
The playoff run-in looks tough for the Seahawks.