{"id":64344,"date":"2025-05-20T07:33:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T07:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/64344\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T07:33:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T07:33:32","slug":"ranking-the-5-toughest-games-on-seattle-seahawks-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/64344\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the 5 toughest games on Seattle Seahawks’ schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Seattle Seahawks appear to have a pretty favorable 2025 schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Based on opponent win percentage from last season, it ranks as the 11th-easiest slate in the league, according to the NFL<\/a>. The layout of the schedule also seems quite manageable, as the Seahawks have one of the best rest differentials in the league<\/a> and they don\u2019t have any back-to-back games against teams that had winning records last year.<\/p>\n

Six things that stand out about Seahawks\u2019 2025 schedule<\/a><\/p>\n

Of course, nothing comes easy in the parity-driven NFL. And there are always surprise teams and breakout stars, which can make it a fool\u2019s errand to do a ranking like this in mid-May.<\/p>\n

But at the moment, which matchups look the most challenging? Here\u2019s a look.<\/p>\n

1. at Los Angeles Rams \u2013 Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 16)<\/p>\n

As injuries mounted last season amid a 1-4 start, it looked like the Rams might be destined for a full-on rebuild. Then they got healthy, won nine of their next 11 games, captured the NFC West crown and trounced the 14-win Vikings in the wild-card round of the playoffs. With 37-year-old Matthew Stafford back for another year, Sean McVay\u2019s crew figures to be one of the NFC\u2019s premier teams this fall \u2013 and Seattle\u2019s biggest roadblock to a division title. This matchup also features one of the juicier storylines of the season, as Cooper Kupp makes his return to SoFi Stadium to face his former team for the first time.<\/p>\n

2. at Washington Commanders \u2013 Week 9 (Sunday, Nov. 2)<\/p>\n

This Sunday night clash will be Seattle\u2019s first time facing Jayden Daniels, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year who took the league by storm last season while leading the Commanders to a surprise NFC championship game appearance. The Seahawks will no doubt have their hands full against the electric dual-threat quarterback and what\u2019s suddenly become one of the NFL\u2019s most explosive offenses. However, there is one thing that could work in their favor: Seattle will be coming off a bye, which gives defensive guru Mike Macdonald an extra week to devise a game plan for slowing down Daniels & Co.<\/p>\n

3. vs. Minnesota Vikings \u2013 Week 13 (Sunday, Nov. 30)<\/p>\n

With Sam Darnold now in Seattle, it\u2019s officially J.J. McCarthy\u2019s show in Minnesota. After missing his rookie season with a knee injury, McCarthy\u2019s development will ultimately determine the Vikings\u2019 trajectory \u2013 and how difficult a matchup this is for the Seahawks. Around McCarthy, the pieces appear to be in place. Minnesota has arguably the league\u2019s best receiving duo, a defense that finished No. 2 in DVOA<\/a> last season and an offensive line that should be much-improved after signing coveted free agent Will Fries and four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly.<\/p>\n

4. vs. Los Angeles Rams \u2013 Week 16 (Thursday, Dec. 18)<\/p>\n

One month after their Week 11 clash in L.A., the Seahawks and Rams square off again in a Thursday night showdown at Lumen Field. This game would have been ranked No. 3 on this list, except for a scheduling detail that could give Seattle a slight boost. Both teams will be playing on three days rest, but the Seahawks will have just faced the lowly Colts, while the Rams will be coming off a tough matchup against the mighty Lions. There was a bit of a Lions hangover effect last season, with teams consistently struggling in their ensuing game after facing Detroit\u2019s ultra-physical team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. at San Francisco 49ers \u2013 Week 18 (TBD)<\/p>\n

After a 2024 season that was derailed by an avalanche of injuries, the 49ers hit the reset button this offseason. Nearly half of their starting lineup that played in the Super Bowl 15 months ago is no longer on the team, including a handful of key defensive players<\/a>. That being said, they still have the likes of Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner \u2013 plus a defense-heavy draft class that includes first-round edge rusher Mykel Williams. And they still have one of the game\u2019s brightest offensive minds in Kyle Shanahan. Even if the 49ers\u2019 best days are behind them, it\u2019d be foolish to count them out.<\/p>\n

Honorable mentions<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a good case for a pair of October home games to be on this list: Week 5 against the Buccaneers and Week 7 against the Texans on Monday Night Football. The Bucs have one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, while the Texans have a talented young QB in C.J. Stroud and a defense that finished No. 3 in DVOA<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Brock and Salk disagree on Seahawks rookie QB Jalen Milroe<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0A recurring theme throughout Seattle Seahawks\u2019 2025 schedule<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0A breakdown of Seattle Seahawks\u2019 2025 opposing QB slate<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Stacy Rost: Four takeaways from what Seahawks GM told Rich Eisen<\/a>
\u2022 Pete Carroll: End of Seattle Seahawks tenure \u2018different\u2019 than perception<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow @CameronVanTil<\/a><\/p>\n

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