Stacy Rost: How Seahawks can declare themselves contenders on MNF

The Seahawks have one of the league’s most explosive passing offenses, one of its best run defenses, and are top five in pressure percentage, which is an especially impressive feat considering they blitz less any other team. They’re 4-2 with both losses being late and close.

But are they a true contender?

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You’d be hard pressed to make much of an argument against them looking like a playoff team right now, which would be an improvement from last season. But on the biggest stage Monday night against the Houston Texans, the Seahawks have an opportunity to make a statement about just how far they could go.

They start mounting an even stronger case if they…

Drop 20 or more on the league’s top scoring defense.

There’s some big “Oh, they’re your favorite artist? Name three albums” energy with this take, but the Seahawks’ surprising evolution into a very good passing offense can suddenly feel like a very real threat to other NFC contenders if they’re able to outlast even the league’s top scoring defense.

“You can score points on anyone? Prove it.”

The Texans are limiting opponents to an average of 12 points per game. The single best offensive performance against them came from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Baker Mayfield threw two of the three passing touchdowns that have been allowed all season by this team, and Tampa Bay outlasted Houston 20-19 thanks to a Rachaad White touchdown in the final six seconds.

The Seahawks are averaging 27.7 points per game, fifth most and one spot ahead of the Bucs. They’ve scored 30 or more in three games and less than 20 only once (a Week 1 loss to the healthiest version of the 49ers we’ve seen all season). Sam Darnold is third in total passing yards behind Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads all pass catchers in receiving yards. But can that connection remain quite as potent against a more suffocating group?

Have a 100-yard performance from their leading rusher.

Having the run game really take off can certainly make a statement about the Seahawks’ potential to be more dynamic offensively. There’s also something to a team being able to hit on their chosen identity; a strong run game and a great defense are natural companions.

They’ve had explosive pass plays and have committed to the run (their 28 attempts per game rank eighth), but they haven’t been consistent with the production. The Falcons and Bills, for instance, are top three in rushing attempts and top three in rushing yards. The Colts are sixth in carries and yards. Seattle’s difference is by far the most pronounced of the top eight teams — it’s still just 24th in rushing yards per game. Getting 104 per game on the ground is up from 95 in 2024 and is certainly enough to keep the threat of the run very real, but the Seahawks would surely love to do more damage there.

Register four or more sacks.

I debated focusing on the need for improvement against the pass, with the argument being a better performance there, combined with a strong run defense, makes for a very complete group.

But in primetime, I think a bigger statement is made when a defense that registered seven sacks of Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence last week keeps the pressure mounting against Houston’s C.J. Stroud. Patterns are easier to spot when they stand out, and Seattle’s defense has done a good job of doing that when it comes to pressure.

Seahawks vs Texans looks to be a battle of elite defenses 🏈@StacyRost breaks down why the numbers 3 and 16 will be key for the Seattle on Monday night.

Read More ➡️ https://t.co/AF7bHjrvJL pic.twitter.com/wQoKRyPIkr

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) October 19, 2025

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• Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald calls M’s playoff run ‘inspiring’
• Status Report: Road warrior Seattle Seahawks rediscover pass rush

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