The Seahawks are back in action after a mini bye, having beaten Arizona last Thursday to improve to 3-1. Coming to Seattle with a matching 3-1 record are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who opened their season with three straight wins before a close loss to the defending champion Eagles last weekend.
Sunday's game will be a celebration of the Seahawks' 50th season and the Top 50 Players in franchise history, most of whom will be on hand, is just part of a big sports weekend in Sodo, with the Mariners also hosting a pair of playoff games on Saturday and Sunday, the latter of which will start not long after the Seahawks and Buccaneers finish off their matchup of NFC powers.
"Excited for this week," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "Big weekend for Seattle sports, excited for that… We're excited for this opportunity. We have a lot of respect for this football team that we're playing. They share a lot of our same principles as a program and as an organization, so a lot of respect for Coach (Todd) Bowles and the guys on their team."
Here are five things to watch when the Seahawks host the Buccaneers at Lumen Field on Sunday:
1. Is there any chance this game doesn't go down to the wire?
While the Seahawks won in dominant fashion against the Saints, and pulled away for a two-score lead in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 win in Pittsburgh, their other two games have been decided by the slimmest of margins. In Week 1, the Seahawks were driving for a potential go-ahead score before a sack and forced fumble in the red zone allowed the 49ers to escape with a win. Then last week, the Seahawks needed a Jason Myers walk-off winning field goal to beat the Cardinals after Arizona overcame a two-score deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, have put their fans through the emotional wringer this season, winning their opener by putting together a touchdown drive in the final two minutes, then hanging on to win on a missed field goal attempt by the Falcons. The following week, the Bucs again needed a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Texans, driving 80 yards in the final minutes for a game-winning touchdown, a drive that included Mayfield scrambling for 15 yards to convert on fourth-and-10 to extend the drive. Week 3 brought more late-game drama, with the Buccaneers driving for the winning field goal in the final minutes after trailing by a point late in the fourth quarter. Last week, the late-game magic finally ran out, but not until the Buccaneers, trailing the defending champion eagles by eight points, had driven as far as the Eagles 37-yard line before turning the ball over on downs with 1:05 left in the game.
So while both teams would love to jump out to a big lead, then cruise to a comfortable victory, the fact that the two teams look evenly matched, both statistically and in the standings, as well as their history of dramatic finishes this season, suggests that fans should be ready for a stressful ending.
2. Can the Seahawks build off their run game progress against one of the league's best run defenses?
For all the things the Seahawks have done well through four games, one area where they'd like to see some improvement, and a lot more consistency, is their running game. At times, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet have been explosive, but there have also been too many negative runs.
Last week, the Seahawks had season highs both in rushing yards (155) and rushing yards per attempt (4.4), a sign of progress, but they know there's still room to improve if the offense is going to be at its best.
Taking that next step in the run game won't come easy this week, not against a Buccaneers run defense that ranks fifth in yards allowed (85.0), and second in yards per carry allowed (3.3), while also ranking fourth in total defense.
"They're so well-coached," offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. "They're disciplined, they play really hard, they take the ball away. Very similar to our defense how physical that Tampa is. Playing against Coach Bowles for many years, his guys are in the right spots, and they're coming with a bad attitude. We have a ton of respect for them and putting all of our time this week into getting ready for them."
3. Can either defense slow down their opponent's standout receiver from Ohio State?
With both teams featuring stingy run defenses, it stands to reason that both offenses, at some point, will need to rely on their passing games. And in a fun subplot to this matchup, it just so happens that Seattle and Tampa Bay's top receivers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and rookie Emeka Egbuka, are former Ohio State teammates. Not only that, but Egbuka is also a local product, having grown up in Steilacoom, Washington.
Egbuka, a first-round pick like Smith-Njigba, is off to a great start to his NFL career, leading the Bucs in receiving yards with 282, as well as touchdowns with four.
"Man, he's been balling out," Smith-Njigba said of his former Ohio State teammate. "I'm definitely happy for him. He's a sharp route runner. He's going to catch the ball. He's a solid player. Hopefully he doesn't have too good of a Sunday, but I'm super proud of him. He's a brother of mine, so like I said, it's great to see him balling out."
Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, ranks second in the league in receiving with 402 yards on 26 catches, establishing himself as one of the league's best pass-catchers.
4. Which of the 2018 first-round pick quarterbacks turned friends and Carolina teammates has the better day leading his team's offense?
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield got to know each other in 2018 during the draft process, and eventually the two quarterbacks became two of the top three players selected, with Mayfield going to Cleveland with the No. 1 overall pick, while Darnold was picked third by the Jets.
Both enjoyed some success early on, but neither lasted past their first contract with the teams that drafted them. Darnold was traded to Carolina in 2021, then Cleveland traded Mayfield to the Panthers a year later after making a trade for Deshaun Watson. As teammates in Carolina, the two were competing for a starting job, but they also became good friends. Neither lasted there long either, but eventually both quarterbacks found themselves in good positions as starters playing for strong franchises.
First, Mayfield landed in Tampa Bay, where he has been a Pro-Bowler each of the past two seasons while leading the Buccaneers to playoff berths both seasons. Darnold, meanwhile, had his breakout come last season in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season and a playoff berth while earning his first Pro-Bowl selection.
"Our organization is the poster child for that sort of thing," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said, referencing both Geno Smith and Darnold's success in Seattle. "A wise man once said players are allowed to get better and that's something we believe in here. I have a lot of respect for Baker. I think he's playing at a really high level, obviously his team respects the heck out of him. He's tough. He competes. He's won. We've had a lot of great battles with him when he was in Cleveland. And Sam's (Darnold) writing a heck of a story for himself too right now. It's great what's going on in the league with some of the quarterbacks, bringing their careers to a different level as it grows, that's pretty cool."
Both players' pretty cool stories will cross paths again this weekend, with Darnold and Mayfield both thriving while helping lead a pair of playoff-caliber teams. The supporting casts on both teams are good enough that neither quarterback has to do it all on their own, but as is the case just about every week in the NFL, how each quarterback performs will go a long way towards determining their team's fates.
5. Can the Seahawks build off the success in their last home game and put on a show for the Seahawks Legends in attendance?
Sunday's game is a significant one not only because it can help the Seahawks keep pace in a tough NFC West, but also because it will be a celebration of the franchise's 50th season, with most of the players selected to the Seahawks' Top 50 Players list in attendance to be celebrated at halftime.
Following a season-opening loss at home that was the Seahawks' seventh home loss in 10 games dating back to last season, they bounced back in a big way in their next home game, jumping to a 21-0 first quarter lead on their way to a lopsided win over the Saints.
With so many Legends in attendance, some of whom will no doubt interact with players at some point over the weekend, the current players will want to put together a strong performance both for those who came before them to set a high standard, but also for a fanbase ready to celebrate a big weekend in Seattle sports.
Seahawks players practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they get ready for the upcoming matchup vs. Buccaneers.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde with defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) at practice on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) with defensive coordinator Aden Durde at practice on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29), safety Coby Bryant (8) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard with safety Coby Bryant (8) at practice on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) and guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Shane Lemieux (66) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26), running back George Holani (36) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
