The Seahawks hit the road in Week 2, heading to Pittsburgh while hoping to bounce back from a tough Week 1 loss. The Seahawks will be facing a Steelers team that, led by new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, earned a close victory over the Jets in their opener.
"Going to Pittsburgh, it's our first 10 a.m. game of the year," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "We had a lot of experience with that last year, so in terms of the process, it'll be more of the same rather than a bunch of change ups. Looking forward to playing in a great environment against a good football team that we respect a lot."
Here are five things to watch when the Seahawks face the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday:
1. Do the Seahawks get more production out of their run game against a defense that was susceptible to the run last week?
Heading into the 2025 season, the Seahawks made no secret of the fact that, when it comes to their offense under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, they plan to run the ball often and run it well. Training camp and the preseason only backed that up, particularly the offense's showing the second preseason game against Kansas City, the one in which the starting offensive line saw its most playing time.
But in the season opener, going against a talented 49ers defense, the run game, and the offense as a whole, struggled to find consistency as the Seahawks were held to 13 points and 230 yards of total offense.
When it came to the run game, there were some good moments, including a first-half touchdown drive on which the Seahawks rushed for 30 yards, including a 1-yard Zach Charbonnet touchdown, a 2-yard "quarterback" sneak by tight end AJ Barner to convert on third-and-one, and five runs that gained at least four yards. The Seahawks also ran the ball well late in the game on the drive that ended in a Jason Myers field goal to give the Seahawks a 13-10 lead, but between those drives, it was tough sledding in the run game, with the Seahawks finishing the game averaging just 3.2 yards per carry on 26 runs.
"I saw flashes of some good things, but we have to be able to sustain it throughout the entire game," said Kubiak.
Said Macdonald, "Just stick with the process. There's a handful of runs that didn't go our way on Sunday, and a handful of runs went our way. Sometimes it goes like that, we want them to go more in our favor than not. It's not for a lack of effort, and we've done a lot of great things throughout the preseason, which you saw in all three games. Let's stick with it, we're doing a lot of great stuff. Let's just keep getting better."
While NFL teams know better than to overlook any aspect of an opponent's game, or to read too much into a single game, especially early in the season, the Seahawks had to have seen some opportunities to run the ball when they studied the Steelers' Week 1 tape. In their win over the Jets, the Steelers allowed New York's offense, led by running back Breece Hall and quarterback Justin Fields, to rush for 182 yards on 39 carries, including three rushing touchdowns.
2. Can the Seahawks slow down Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and the Steelers passing game?
While the Steerers gave up more yards (394) and points (32) than they would have liked in their opener, they still came out victorious thanks to a big offensive performance of their own, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in his first game with his new team.
"He was balling, he was getting the ball out quick, making decisions," linebacker Ernest Jones IV said of Rodgers' Steelers debut. "His teammates (were) around him helping him, they played a really good game. This week we have a good challenge for us, defensively versus their offense. When you want to be the best and you want to be one of the best defenses, you have to go, no matter what, you go play and you get it done."
And Rodgers' top target in the game? That would be former Seahawk DK Metcalf, who had four catches for a team-leading 83 yards.
While there is sure to be some fun banter between Metcalf and the Seahawks defensive backs against whom he practiced in past seasons, he has downplayed the reunion with his former team leading up to the game.
"It's about us at the end of the day," Metcalf told reporters in Pittsburgh when asked about the Seahawks coming to town. "I'm looking forward to playing in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's going to be my first game back here in a couple of years. I'm just looking forward to my first home game."
And when asked about facing Seattle's secondary, Metcalf answered, "There are great DBs on every team. It's just another week in the NFL for me."
Another week or not, even when you take the Metcalf-vs.-his-former-team angle out of the equation, the Seahawks know they'll need to contain the explosive receiver, and Rodgers, if they're going to keep the Steelers offense in check.
3. Can the Seahawks defensive front turn pressure into more sacks?
Both in real time, and particularly if you dive into the game film, it was evident that the Seahawks' defensive front was making life difficult on the 49ers. The Seahawks held the 49ers to just 3.3 yards per rush attempt, and that unit also put a lot of pressure on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the passing game. While Seattle's defensive front did not record a sack—Seattle's only sack came on a Julian Love safety blitz—the front was able to make Purdy uncomfortable, generating pressure with four rushers on 51.7 percent of the quarterback's dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats, and the defense's overall pressure rate of 60.5 percent was the team's highest in a game since 2018. The Seahawks also had eight quarterback hits, seven of them from the defensive front, with Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Byron Murphy II and Derick Hall all getting in on the action, while Boye Mafe was able to generate multiple pressures going against All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
But while all those pressures can affect a quarterback—one, by linebacker Drake Thomas, helped set up an Ernest Jones IV interception—the Seahawks want to see that pressure turn into more sacks this week.
"We looked at it as a front, and the only sack we got was on a pressure from Julian Love," Williams said. "We're a prideful front that wants to make all the sacks. We want to get all the pressures and all those types of things. We have goals in our room. But from watching, they did a good job disguising when they were going to pass, play-actioning, chipping and double teaming. It's a credit to the guys that we have in the room. But at the same time, we know that we're going to receive that from offenses, so we have to figure out ways to pass rush on first and second down and learn how to beat chip blocks and double teams."
The Steers, meanwhile, struggled with pass protection at times in Week 1, allowing four sacks on Rodgers as well as seven quarterback hits, something the Seahawks will hope to make a trend starting in Week 2.
4. Will Sam Darnold spread the ball around more in the passing game after a Week 1 "Jax show"?
One of the bright spots in Seattle's Week 1 loss was the play of third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who kicked off the season with a nine-catch, 124-yard performance. But for as well as Smith-Njigba played, the Seahawks didn't get a lot out of their passing game other than when Sam Darnold looked to throw to No. 11. Smith-Njigba, who is coming off a Pro-Bowl season, was the target on 13 of Darnold's 23 attempts, while no other pass-catcher had more than the three receptions recorded by running back Kenneth Walker III.
"We're going to count on everybody, see who else steps up, so it's not the Jax show every snap", Macdonald said after the game.
Later, after reviewing the film, Macdonald made it clear that Darnold was making good decisions when he threw to Smith-Njigba, but at the same time, the Seahawks would like to get more players more involved in the passing game.
"After looking back at it, that's where the ball should have gone," Macdonald said. "We have plays designed for other people as well, but you're looking at a combination of Jax playing at a high level, being in a position where Sam can pull the trigger wherever he's at in the progression. But the ball will find its way around. I'm convinced of that."
Said offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, "You can definitely spread it around, but Jaxon has had a really good camp, and he was getting open. Sam was finding him, but we do have a lot of good targets that we can get the ball to and do a better job of that."
5. Can the Seahawks continue their success when traveling east?
After losing an early-season game in Detroit last season, the Seahawks then won their final six road games, giving them a 7-1 record away from home, tying the franchise record for most road wins in a season. The Seahawks also went 3-0 in games kicking off at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, improving their record to 19-5 in the early time slot dating back to 2018. So while the Seahawks want to change the way they play at home, having gone 3-6 at Lumen Field a year ago, they're looking to continue what they did on the road last season.
"It goes back to the mentality of this team," said linebacker Ernest Jones. "When you take 70 players from the Seahawks and you take us on the road and we've got to go into uncomfortable situations, uncomfortable environments, and we've got to come out of there and scratch, fight, and claw for a win. We live up to those moments. Wherever we playing football, send us there, and we'll go get the job done."
Seahawks players hit the field for practice on Thursday afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they get ready for Week 2.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4), long snapper Chris Stoll (41) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85), wide receiver Ricky White III (86) and safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48), linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13), linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) and linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
ISeahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Damien Martinez (22) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Damien Martinez (22) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) and center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on September 11, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
